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- Tasks: Lead operations for Wetland Reserves, enhancing habitat health and securing funding.
- Company: Join WWT, a passionate team dedicated to restoring wetlands.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, flexible working, and free entry to wetland centres.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on conservation while inspiring diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Senior operational experience in conservation and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; apply early as we may close the advert soon.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Closing Date: 10/02/2026
£59,612.00 per annum
Full time (part time considered)
Permanent
Location: Flexible
About The Role
Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will work alongside two Heads of Operations for our Wetland Discovery sites, to support our Wetland Reserves sites in achieving our ambitions. You will lead Site Managers at Caerlaverock, Steart and Welney, as well as potential future reserves, supporting them in improving the health and diversity of our wetland habitats whilst ensuring they maximise opportunities for income development and funding to assure financial stability for years to come. This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week. Part-time work will be considered. For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.
About You
You will be passionate about nature and conservation with a good understanding of the challenges and pressures faced by site operations which rely on funding through stewardship grants, donations and restricted funding. To join as our Head of Operations Wetland Reserves you'll bring:
- Senior level operational experience in a comparable organisation working directly with conservation or nature-based experiences where income streams are not driven by visitation but by external funding and/or donations.
- Evidence of strong skills in leading and supporting business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, across multiple sites with varying income streams and asset portfolios.
- The ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
- Demonstrable leadership skills, able to coach and mentor site leaders and their teams, communicating clarity of direction and inspiring teams to work towards common goals.
- Skills in networking and influencing internally and externally at a senior level, developing partnerships with like-minded organisations for the benefit of WWT and our charitable aims.
- Demonstrable ability to manage the complexity of demands posed by triple-bottom-line objectives across our conservation targets, visitor engagement and financial targets.
We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.
About Us
We're WWT, and we're on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There's never been a more important moment for our work, and we've got some phenomenal people on the case. Whether they're taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there's nothing we love more than watching them soar. Whatever you do here, you'll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?
Why you'll love working at WWT
- Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
- Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
- 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
- Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
- Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
- Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
- Cycle to work scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
- Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme
WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.
Head of Operations - Wetland Reserves in London employer: WWT
Contact Detail:
WWT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations - Wetland Reserves in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the conservation and nature-based sectors. Attend events, join online forums, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for wetlands! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your experiences and enthusiasm for conservation. We want to see that fire in your belly – it makes all the difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching WWT and its projects. Understand their goals and challenges, and think about how your skills can help them achieve their mission. We love candidates who come in ready to contribute!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in wetland conservation!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - Wetland Reserves in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your love for nature and conservation shine through in your application. We want to see how your values align with our mission at WWT, so don’t hold back on sharing your enthusiasm!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your senior-level operational experience that relates directly to conservation or nature-based organisations. We’re looking for specific examples of how you’ve managed budgets and led teams in similar settings.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us understand your qualifications and how you can contribute to our goals.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We might close the advert early if we find enough suitable candidates, so get your application in through our website as soon as you can.
How to prepare for a job interview at WWT
✨Know Your Wetlands
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the specific wetland reserves you'll be overseeing. Familiarise yourself with their unique challenges and successes. This will not only show your passion for conservation but also demonstrate that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led diverse teams in previous roles. Think about times when you motivated your team towards common goals or navigated complex operational challenges. Be ready to discuss your coaching style and how you inspire others.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Since this role involves budget development and financial management, brush up on your financial analysis skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with income streams that aren't visitor-driven, and how you've secured funding through grants or donations in the past.
✨Network Like a Pro
Think about your existing connections within the conservation community. Be ready to talk about how you've built partnerships with like-minded organisations. Highlight any successful collaborations that have benefited your previous employers and how you can bring that expertise to WWT.
