Policy & Advocacy Manager in Cardiff

The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

This is an exciting opportunity as we are looking for a Policy and Advocacy Manager who will be responsible for developing and directing the delivery of Coed Cadw programme of advocacy and campaigning work in Wales. You will be responsible for developing relationships across broad policy-influencing audiences to achieve key policy outcomes in line with the Woodland Trust’s goals and objectives. Responsible for ensuring the Trust have and are following integrated and focused influencing strategies to achieve our public policy goals. Lead the Wales Policy and Advocacy team whilst integrating our policy and campaigning work across the wider Wales team, providing clarity of direction, inspiring our employees and building capabilities and skills, upholding and actively promoting the values and behaviours of the Trust. Actively monitor, gather intelligence, understand and analyse relevant areas of Welsh policy and politics, acting on key opportunities. Collaborate with UK colleagues to ensure our policy and advocacy work is supported and aligned across the four nations and ensure consistent campaigning messages with the Trust’s wider communications and influencing strategies and plans. This is a hybrid role with travel to the Cardiff office and around the UK as required.

This is a key role in our Wales team and for candidates to stand out, we are looking for experience of working within a policy & advocacy or political context. Experience in shaping and implementing policy and advocacy or political strategies preferably in the environmental/voluntary sector, providing technical policy input and advice. Knowledge of the Welsh Government and Senedd with a strong understanding of current environmental policy, conservation and land management issues. You’ll have awareness of current affairs and processes through legislation, policy and grants in the Welsh context. Confident in building and developing partnerships with external and internal stakeholders, able to influence different audiences, to successfully change attitudes, behaviours and/or policy of key stakeholders. Strong leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with a diverse range of teams and stakeholders to ensure the best development of strategies and policies. Ability to analyse complex information and be able to communicate in effective ways for diverse audiences. Understanding of different levers and approaches that can be used effectively to influence decision-makers. This role is based in Wales and will require the successful candidate to undertake travel across Wales and the UK.

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

Benefits & Wellbeing:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply. Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.

Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for your CV at application stage OR so they do not see your CV until shortlisting is completed. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.

Acceptable Use Policy - Artificial Intelligence (AI): We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk. First Stage Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.