Director of Wild Places

We are looking for an exceptional leader who is passionate about protecting Wild Places and has a proven track record of delivering strategic conservation and land management at scale. You will combine outstanding ecological and landscape expertise with the vision, leadership, and influence to shape the protection of Wild Places across the UK. As Director for Wild Places, you will have responsibility for providing strategic leadership in three key areas: 1. Oversee and direct all land management activities to deliver clear outcomes for Wild Places (using the Wild Place Index) within a value for money framework. 2. Working collaboratively with partners to help create and advocate for a network of Wild Places across the UK. 3. Our Wild Place Index (WPI), currently being developed, is a key priority for the Trust and is central to this role. The WPI is being developed as an objective measure to guide management and measure the quality of the UK’s Wild Places. The role aims to ensure that Wild Place ecology and landscapes are managed to the highest ecological standards across all Trust properties, and to lead on the development of effective advocacy tactics including campaigns to realise our strategic ambition for the protection of Wild Places across the UK. Working as a member of the Leadership Team, the Director will maintain oversight and implement long-term strategies for ecological freedom and natural landscapes and help facilitate effective engagement programmes that promote a deep understanding of Wild Place qualities. You will have the ecological knowledge and influencing skills that allow you to engage at a high level with strategic partners and key stakeholders. All these activities will be undertaken while ensuring compliance with legal, environmental, and organisational objectives. The John Muir Trust is committed to working together to promote a more inclusive environment and we need a diverse team to realise this. Applicants are welcome from all walks of life with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our work on behalf of wild places. Main responsibilities Strategic Leadership • Deliver the organisation's vision and strategy for the management and enhancement of Wild Places. • Oversee the development of the Wild Place Index and Wild Places network working closely with partners in the public, private and third sectors. • Champion evidence-based decision-making, innovation, and best practice in the protection of Wild Places. • Identify strategic threats to Wild Places and advise on approaches that might be taken to help protect Wild Places. • Influence and work with others to advocate for the long-term protection of Wild Places from attrition. • Oversee the development of Property Management Plans aligned with organisational priorities. • Advocate for Wild Places, guide the Trust’s responses to public consultations and advocacy campaigns, and build networks with like-minded stakeholders. • Represent the Trust externally, advocating for the integrity and protection of Wild Place qualities. • Provide lead oversight for Health and Safety within the Trust. Ecological Leadership • Provide expert ecological and landscape advice to the Chief Executive, Board, and Leadership Team in the three key areas of land management, growing the network of Wild Places and developing the Wild Place Index. • Ensure all land management decisions are informed by sound ecological science and current best practice. • Oversee ecological monitoring, research, and reporting to evaluate Wild Place outcomes. • Maintain an up-to-date understanding of emerging ecological research, legislation, and policy. Land Management • Provide strategic oversight of land management operations across all sites. • Manage properties to maximise increase in Wild Place qualities for ecology and landscape. • Oversee a range of managed interventions including potentially deer management, cattle grazing, removal of invasive non-natives and removal of obsolete human artifacts. For further information and to understand more about the role's main responsibilities and specification please download the full job description attached to this page or email [email removed - click apply for more details]. We look forward to hearing from you. Other details Type of contract: Permanent Hours: Full time Salary: Band E - competitive salary based on experience Pension: 5% employer contribution to a group auto-enrolment pension scheme Reporting to: CEO Location: Hybrid - Home based with regular travel to Trust sites and offices Holidays: 34 days per year plus 2 ‘wild days’ or 2 sustainable travel days John Muir Trust standard terms and conditions of employment apply.