Engaging Communities Officer – Sherwood

The Woodland Trust is looking for an Engaging Communities Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension.

The Role

• Lead the community-focused development of Sherwood’s Living Legends, shaping how people connect with the cultural, historical and ecological significance of ancient and veteran trees.
• Co-create imaginative engagement approaches with consultants, using storytelling, heritage and local myth to inspire urban and rural communities.
• Define target audiences and craft compelling key messages that will underpin the project’s delivery-stage communications.
• Promote the project across the Sherwood NCA through social media, local press, PR events and creative outreach activity.
• Ensure engagement plans are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of diverse communities and participants.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, community groups, landowners and Woodland Trust teams to support joined‑up project development.
• Monitor and evaluate engagement activity, gathering insight and data to inform project design and future delivery.
• Represent the project internally and externally, sharing successes and supporting alignment with wider Woodland Trust communications.

The Candidate

• Experienced in coordinating and delivering varied community events, including consultations tailored to different audiences and locations.
• Confident leading groups outdoors, with experience engaging children, schools and community participants in nature-based activities.
• Skilled in partnership working, able to collaborate with volunteers, community groups and external organisations to achieve shared outcomes.
• Strong communicator with excellent written, verbal and digital skills, including social media content creation and public-facing representation.
• Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of how to design accessible and welcoming engagement.
• Organised and proactive, able to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively and work independently within a dispersed team.
• Competent with IT systems, particularly MS Office and collaborative platforms such as Teams.
• Professional, positive and adaptable, able to represent the Woodland Trust and partners with confidence and clarity.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic DBS Check, as part of our pre‑employment screening.

Benefits and Wellbeing

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

Our Commitment to Diversity and 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, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. 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. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use - 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

Apply Now

If you’re ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it’s a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. For queries relating to this new opportunity please email recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk

Interviews to be held on April 21st 2026.