Wilder Communities Manager (Maternity Cover) - Somerset Wildlife Trust

Scotlink; Taunton; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental organization in Taunton is seeking a Wilder Communities Manager to develop and lead projects that encourage community engagement in nature's recovery. This full-time role requires strong project management skills and experience working with volunteers and communities. The position offers flexibility for part-time work for the right candidate. The ideal applicant will be passionate about the environment and knowledgeable about Somerset's communities and wildlife. Responsibilities include managing a team and overseeing funded projects.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering environmental projects with communities or volunteers.
• Competent manager of people and projects.
• Good knowledge of Somerset’s demographics and wildlife.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of engagement and community officers effectively.
• Oversee and report on funded projects and partnerships.
• Maintain key community and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Experience with volunteers

Project management

Knowledge of Somerset geography

Passion for nature

Job description

Salary: £36,900 FTE. Contract type: 12 months fixed term. This is a full time role but part time will be considered for the right candidate.

The Wilder Communities Manager is a critical post developing and leading the delivery of our Wilder Communities workstreams, ensuring that diverse communities across Somerset are supported to take practical and meaningful action for nature’s recovery. The Wilder Communities Manager manages a team of engagement and community officers and the 'Wilder Communities' workstreams which covers volunteering, community organising, advocacy, community networks and advice, individual actions for nature (e.g. gardens), training and resource development.

The key priorities for this maternity cover role will be:

• Ensure consistent and supportive management of the team (currently 4 colleagues)
• Excellent project management. Oversee and report on funded projects, including partnership projects.
• Oversee, update and "hold the fort" on core/business as usual workstreams including maintaining key community and stakeholder relationships.
• Work alongside the Head of Engagement to support project pipelines, including the development of new funded projects and potentially recruitment of new roles, in line with core delivery goals.

We are looking for someone with experience working with volunteers and communities to deliver environmental projects or enabling people to take action for nature, and a good knowledge of Somerset’s geography, communities, demographics and wildlife. You should be a competent manager of people and projects, with a passion for the work of Somerset Wildlife Trust.

This is a maternity cover post expected to begin as soon as possible from mid-February 2026, for a period of 12 months, subject to extension or termination with 8 weeks’ notice.

This is a Full-time position (37.5 hrs per week), but we will consider part time (3/3.5/4 days a week) for the right candidate with responsibilities revised accordingly. This role is not suitable for job sharing.

Based at our Taunton office with opportunities for home working. Evening, weekends and county‑wide travel occasionally required (TOIL available).

Please check our website for a full job description and how to apply: Wilder Communities Manager (Maternity Cover) | Somerset Wildlife Trust