Protected Sites and Species Programme Manager

Forest Camping Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A national forestry agency in the UK is seeking a Protected Sites and Species Programme Manager to lead conservation strategies across protected sites. The role involves strategic leadership, managing environmental assessments, and promoting wildlife recovery initiatives. Candidates should possess a degree in Environmental Science, along with experience in project management and stakeholder engagement. A competitive salary is offered, with a commitment to lifelong learning and substantial employee benefits.

Benefits

Average pension contribution of 28.97%

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Employee benefits scheme

Free parking and entry to National Arboretums

Support for career development

Qualifications

• Experience in managing conservation projects and programmes.
• Strong understanding of UK environmental legislation.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and advocate for change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for nature conservation initiatives.
• Oversee national processes for SSSI and HRA assessments.
• Lead implementation of operational guidance for protected species.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Nature conservation

Project management

Regulatory advocacy

Communication

Innovative problem solving

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

# Protected Sites and Species Programme Manager## Job Introduction**We are Forestry England.****We live and breathe forests.****Job title – Protected Sites and Species Programme Manager****Salary - £48,765****Contract type – Permanent****Hours – 37 hours per week******Vacancy closes - 11th January 2026 23:58****Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment.Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We're providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber**.****What you’ll do…**Forestry England manages more land and trees than any other organisation in the country. For over a century, we have shaped and cared for England’s forests for people, nature, and climate.We’ve not always been known for our conservation work, but Forestry England have bold ambitions to be a leading force for nature recovery. Our progress is real and measurable: FSC certified since 1999, WWF’s 'Gift to the Earth' award in 2001, and commitments to restore all our ancient woodlands in 2007 and 11,000 hectares of open habitats in 2013. In 2022 we launched our first with a clear goal to make the nation’s forests.Explore our work to see how we’re putting nature recovery at the heart of England’s forests:As Protected Sites and Species Programme Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for Forestry England’s approach to nature conservation across protected sites and species, with wider programme management responsibilities. The role includes overseeing our national processes for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) screening and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs). You will shape and direct our conservation strategy for protected sites, including our 68,000 ha of SSSIs and European designated sites, ensuring that our actions are evidence-based, legally compliant, and aligned with national priorities.You will lead the implementation of operational guidance for protected species, including European Protected Species (EPS) and Schedule 1 birds, ensuring that our operations support species recovery while enabling sustainable land management. You will be responsible for Forestry England’s delivery of Species Conservation Strategies under the Environment Act and will explore innovative approaches to streamlining operations, such as organisational licences, to further our nature recovery ambitions.You will be willing to challenge established norms in protected site and species management, influencing the regulatory environment, advocating for a more proactive and ambitious approach to nature recovery. Protected sites will be positioned at the heart of wider nature recovery networks, and your leadership will help ensure Forestry England moves beyond passive observation of ecological decline, instead driving bold, evidence-led action to reverse it. You will play a key role in proactively pushing Forestry England to be a leader in protected site and species conservation.Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.**Where you’ll work…**This is a flexible national role.**Benefits…**Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit* 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.* STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.* free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.* a commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.Read more about the benefits on the**How to apply…**You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.You will be assessed on technical skills and behaviours during your interview. The being assessed at interview are –* Seeing the Big Picture: Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Forestry England and Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.* Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.* Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.* Changing and Improving: Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government check.If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email [e-mail] you're planning to use AI to support your application, please ensure you've read our guidelinesRead more about our on the**Nationality requirements…**Read more about nationality requirements**Working for the Civil Service…**Forestry England is part of the . The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the and initiative. Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English.Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: [e-mail] role is funded by Defra rather than through Forestry England generated revenue, and is therefore subject to government spending reviews. While Defra has indicated long term support for the Biodiversity Programme and we expect funding to continue, it is possible that funding levels may change at the end of any financial year depending on Defra’s budget allocations. In the event of funding changes, we would prioritise retaining staff posts wherever possible. The position is being offered on a permanent basis, given the indications from Defra regarding funding. This approach is consistent for roles within publicly funded organisations. We are committed to keeping staff informed and supported through any changes.### Protected Sites and Species Programme Manager* **Salary** £48,765 - £52,557* **Frequency** Annual* **Job Reference** forestryengland/TP/2437/439* **Contract Type** Permanent* **Closing Date** 11 January, 2026* **Job Category** Land