Head of Estate and Programmes - North

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Head of Estate and Programmes - North to join our North England Team. The Head of Estate and Programmes will lead the Trust’s estate team and related programmes of work in North England. They will take a strategic overview, identifying and shaping new initiatives to ensure that the estate and associated programmes are developed and managed to the highest professional standards and in accordance with the Woodland Trust’s management approach, policies and standards.

The Role: Lead the strategic management of the Trust’s woodland estate across the North, ensuring the highest professional standards, regulatory compliance, and delivery of landscape-scale conservation outcomes. Shape and deliver major estate-based programmes and projects, working collaboratively across teams and with external partners to achieve the Trust’s strategic objectives. Provide inspiring leadership to a multidisciplinary team of site managers, project managers, and programme staff, fostering a high-performance, values-led culture. Oversee the effective planning, management, and governance of a multi-million-pound estate budget, ensuring excellent value for money and efficient use of resources. Take overall responsibility for health, safety, risk management, and operational excellence across the Trust’s northern estate activities. Develop and implement the North’s long-term estate plans, aligning woodland, forestry, conservation, and land management priorities with the Trust’s UK strategy. Act as a senior ambassador for the Trust, building and strengthening relationships with partners, funders, stakeholders, land managers, and public bodies to maximise impact. Champion innovation, knowledge sharing, and partnership working, representing the North at a senior level and contributing to UK-wide initiatives that advance the Trust’s vision and influence.

This is a homeworking position with regular travel around the North of England. Occasional travel to other offices, remote locations and overnight stays may also be required.

The Candidate: Experienced leader with a proven track record of managing complex estates, large-scale programmes, projects and multidisciplinary teams to deliver ambitious strategic outcomes. Strong understanding of woodland, forestry, conservation, land management and the operation of large estates, with knowledge of ancient woodland management highly desirable. Commercially and financially astute, with experience managing significant budgets and balancing strategic priorities, operational performance and value for money. Confident in leading health, safety, risk management and governance activities within geographically dispersed operational environments. Skilled at building influential relationships and strategic partnerships, with the credibility to engage effectively with funders, land managers, public bodies, conservation organisations and other key stakeholders. Good understanding of England’s land-use, environmental and forestry policy landscape, particularly across the North, and the ability to translate this into practical outcomes. Highly organised and adaptable, with strong project management skills, confidence using MS Office and GIS systems. Professionally qualified to HND, degree level or equivalent in forestry, land management or a related discipline, with membership (or working towards membership) of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. Additionally, hold a full valid driving licence.

Benefits and Wellbeing: Joining our team means you’ll be part of our fight for a greener, healthier planet for people and wildlife. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: Enhanced Employer Pension Life Assurance Flexible and hybrid working options (7am - 7pm) Generous annual leave - 25 Days plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time) Buy and sell holiday scheme Enhanced parental pay Employee assistance programme To support inclusivity and remove barriers for candidates, we publish all salaries upfront and proudly follow the We Show the Salary pledge. The salary listed is the set salary for this role, and we don’t ask applicants to state their current pay or expectations. If you choose to apply, we’ll take that as confirmation that the advertised salary meets your expectations.