Estate Manager

ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions; Kingussie; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A national conservation organization is looking for an Estate Manager for Mar Lodge Estate, the UK's largest National Nature Reserve. The role involves overseeing property and land management, ensuring stakeholder interests are balanced, and maintaining Health & Safety standards. Candidates should have experience in managing teams and projects while contributing to the estate's strategic development. This is an opportunity to work in a stunning landscape and play a vital role in conservation efforts.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing diverse teams and projects.
• Strong understanding of land and property management.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams managing property and land management activities.
• Contribute to the development of strategy at the estate.
• Ensure Health and Safety compliance across the estate.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder management

Health & Safety compliance

Job description

Organisation: The National Trust for Scotland

JOB PURPOSE

Mar Lodge Estate is Britain's largest National Nature Reserve made up of more than 29,000 ha of astonishing Scottish landscape: heather-covered moorland, Caledonian pine forest, towering mountains and the Quoich wetlands, home to wading birds and otters. The estate has a significant built heritage including multiple listed buildings, Mar Lodge, stable block offices, workshop complex, biomass, staff houses and redundant buildings. Attracting over 100,000 visitors per year, the estate has about 200 miles of footpath and 7 scheduled ancient monument sites plus numerous other archaeological sites.

Estate Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the team at the Trust as an Estate Manager at Mar Lodge Estate. This role is responsible for the planning and delivery of property and land management activities on Mar Lodge Estate, including Estate & Building Maintenance, Forestry, Deer Management & Commercial Stalking, and the Estate Ranger Service. Leading a multi‑discipline team of staff, the role is responsible for translating strategy through the management plan into practical delivery across the entire property. As a key part of the management team, the role will actively contribute to the development of future strategy on the Estate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead the teams managing property and land management activity, with accountability for:
• In conjunction with the Head of Mar Lodge Estate, plan, develop and deliver capital projects of significant scale.
• Actively contribute to strategy and management planning for the UK’s largest National Nature Reserve.
• Financial planning/delegated budget management and accountability across the above areas of operation.
• Manage a diverse range of stakeholder interests both internal and external, ensuring that the long‑term goals of the estate are communicated effectively, protecting the reputation of the Estate, and enhancing the reputation of NTS.
• Develop and deliver "Visitor Safety in the Countryside"; identify and manage risks in line with NTS policy and procedure and within the framework of Managing Visitor Safety in the Countryside. Take responsibility for the actions of you and your team, ensuring a safe and secure working environment, compliant with relevant legislation.
• Monitor and report activity against the Mar Lodge Estate Management plan and report on work plan delivery against KPI’s.
• Accountable for Health & Safety management and SSoW across the estate. Instil a Health & Safety culture across the property, ensuring the team works within the property’s ‘Safe System of Work’ to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors.
• Develop SOR’s for capital & maintenance works. Instruct and manage contractors to ensure works are completed as specified, within budget and on time, ensuring all statutory and regulatory requirements are adhered.
• Will regularly deputise for the Head of Mar Lodge Estate, and represent the property and organisation in regional and national forums.