Assistant Director Natural Environment

City of London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 74,000 - GBP 86,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent governmental organization in Greater London is seeking an Assistant Director for the Natural Environment to oversee a diverse portfolio of greenspaces. This role includes managing strategic and financial operations within the portfolio, ensuring compliance and promoting sustainability. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in greenspace management, excellent communication skills, and a background in project and budget management. A full driving licence and the ability to travel to various sites is essential.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in managing public greenspaces for nature, heritage and people.
• Deep knowledge of landscape management and biodiversity.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for site travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic and financial management of The Commons portfolio.
• Oversee land management and visitor services across the sites.
• Develop and implement strategies for service improvements.

Skills

Management of public greenspaces

Income generation

Excellent communication

Project management

Budget management

Strong business acumen

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Assistant Director Natural Environment The Commons

Posting Start Date: 06/02/2026

Salary: £74,550 - £85,030 per annum inclusive of all allowances • Contractual Hours: 35 hours per week • Basis: Full-Time, Permanent • Workplace category: Hybrid

The Commons is a diverse portfolio of greenspaces around London including Burnham Beeches, West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons, and Ashtead Common. We are looking for a strategic and impactful leader to head up this portfolio and oversee strategic, financial and stakeholder management across the sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic, financial and stakeholder management of The Commons, a complex and geographically dispersed greenspace portfolio.
• Oversee high-quality land management, nature and heritage conservation, visitor services and operations across the clusters of sites.
• Ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities and organisational policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies, business plans, policies and service improvements.
• Drive income generation, budget and project management; engage with a wide range of external and internal stakeholders including Members of the Corporation’s governing committees.
• Oversee health and safety, strategic planning, asset management, climate action and external representation.
• Lead on developing strong partnerships and ensuring long-term sustainability across the four charities comprising The Commons.
• Promote teamwork, staff engagement and collaborative working across the Corporation.
• Support staff development and ensure environmental stewardship and high professional standards.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Substantial experience in managing public greenspaces for nature, heritage and people.
• Experience in developing and implementing strategies, business plans, policies and service improvements.
• Deep knowledge of landscape management, biodiversity and visitor services.
• Demonstrable expertise in income generation, budget management and project management.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills; ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and financial skills; ability to secure long-term sustainability for The Commons’ charities.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle to travel between sites; willingness to travel regularly to sites and The Guildhall in the City of London.

Travel, Location and Additional Information

This role requires regular travel to and across The Commons’ sites (Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire; Ashtead Common in Surrey; West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons in Bromley & Croydon) and travel to The Guildhall in the City of London. Mileage costs can be claimed. The City of London Corporation is the Trustee of 11,000 acres of iconic greenspaces and has an annual budget of over £30m, with 350 staff and more than 20 million visitors annually.

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals who share our vision of a greener, more sustainable future for London.

Compliance and Application

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. The successful applicant will be required to obtain a standard Disclosure & Barring Service check as part of the selection process.

Closing date: 12 Noon on Monday 2nd March 2026

1st stage interviews on 9th March and 2nd stage interviews w/c 16th March.

To apply online please click the Apply online button below. For difficulties, contact 020 7332 3978 (24 hr answerphone) quoting reference number OENV0194. A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We reserve the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications.

We are committed to flexible working where possible and will consider requests to work flexibly and job share in line with policies and business needs.

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