Estate Manager – Manor Farm, Shropham

Manor Farm needs someone who can lead ambitious environmental delivery and run a rural estate like the business it is — not simply maintain it. A live Biodiversity Net Gain programme spans both land and water here, an ecotourism offering is growing fast, and a property portfolio including listed and residential buildings needs diligent attention. This is a role for someone who thinks like a project manager, cares like a conservationist, and is ready to take genuine ownership.

The breadth of this role is intentional. No single background covers environmental delivery, property, agriculture, and hospitality all at once, so we’re not expecting you to arrive with experience in every one of them. What matters most is the ability to deliver projects to a high standard, adapt as priorities shift, and bring real care to the landscape and people involved. Estate management experience is useful, but it’s absolutely not the only route in.

Joining us as we move into this next phase, you’ll have real freedom to shape the estate’s future — from deepening the nature recovery work already underway to growing what ecotourism at Manor Farm could become next. No two days will look the same, and that’s exactly the point.

Closing date: 07/09/2026

About You This role suits people from a range of backgrounds — project management, environmental or conservation delivery, hospitality or ecotourism, or something else entirely. You don’t need direct experience in every area below; we’re just as interested in transferable skills and clear potential as we are in a perfect match on paper. Whatever your background, we’d love to hear from you if you think you can make a real difference with Oxygen Conservation and the communities where we’re fortunate to work.

Environment A love for the natural world and rural environment and a genuine commitment to its ecological restoration. An instinct for hospitality — someone who understands that a great guest experience and a thriving natural landscape can be built side by side.

Impact Experience in project management, environmental delivery, or a related field — ideally with a track record of delivering projects to a high standard, or clear potential to get there. Confidence managing estate finances — budgets, forecasting, grant applications, and compliance with relevant legislation and governance requirements. A genuine commitment to your own continued development.

Adventure Comfortable with hard, practical work in all weathers, and confident picking up hands-on maintenance tasks when needed. Genuinely fueled by adventure, the environment, and the chance to see the tangible impact of your work.

Togetherness Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with landowners, farmers, contractors, regulators, tenants, and neighbors. A confident communicator, calm under pressure, and comfortable representing the estate professionally to a wide range of people. And let’s be honest, you have to be kind too. Sharing snacks on long journeys or a packed lunch whilst out in the rain is mandatory!

What We’d Love You To Do Project Management & Environmental Delivery Lead delivery of the estate’s live Biodiversity Net Gain programme in accordance with an approved scheme which has created one of Norfolk’s largest registered habitat banks. Terrestrial enhancement work spans nutrient stripping, wildflower meadow creation, deer management and conservation grazing. Lead delivery of the estate’s aquatic restoration work including a live project restoring the Stow Bedon Stream, working closely with our natural capital and ecology specialists. As this work nears completion, expect the terrestrial programme to become an increasingly central focus of the role. Coordinate delivery of estate capital and infrastructure projects tied to these programmes, and more widely across the estate, working closely with our natural capital and ecology specialists. Champion the estate’s ongoing recovery of species-rich grassland and habitat alongside its Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement supporting organic management. Property & Ecotourism Manage existing residential tenancies and tenant relationships. Oversee maintenance of the estate’s built property assets including a number of listed buildings. Work with contractors to ensure that repair and maintenance demands are completed to a high standard. With support from our property team, engage with planning stakeholders around opportunities for residential development on the edge of the village (a planning application for around 21 homes will be submitted this summer). Lead the continued growth of the estate’s ecotourism offering (‘Honeypot Meadow’) and help shape what future guest experiences on the estate could look like as landscape restoration matures. Manage bookings, facilities, and guest engagement to deliver a consistently excellent visitor experience, using feedback and insight to continuously improve the seasonal offering. Estate Management & Agriculture Oversee the day-to-day running of the estate, scheduling and managing planned maintenance across land, buildings, and infrastructure. Manage external consultants and contractors, and deliver hands-on reactive maintenance where necessary. Oversee conservation grazing and stewardship management across the estate’s farmland. Lead the continued organic management of the estate, and manage any livestock enterprise, alongside conservation-led land use. Finance, Governance & Compliance Support the forecasting, managing, and reporting of annual budgets. Identify and apply for grants and funding relevant to conservation, restoration, and estate projects. Implement systems of work that keep the estate compliant with relevant legislation, with accurate physical and digital records. Health & Safety (HSW) Manage contractor documentation and estate safety inspections. Assess and manage public access risk, particularly relevant as guest numbers grow through ecotourism. Ensure the safety and security of the property at all times, including safe lone working practice. Stakeholder, Community & Engagement Act as the key interface between the central Oxygen Conservation team and local suppliers, tenants, and the wider community. Welcome investors and guests to the estate, managing bookings and engagement to deliver an outstanding ecotourism experience. Support the (re)development of homes, local jobs, and community opportunities tied to the estate. Beyond these headline areas, expect the scope of this role to flex — from reporting and admin to the hundred fascinating things that pop up in any given week. You’ll be backed by a team of industry-leading specialists across natural capital, habitat restoration, ecology, marketing, and logistics, and you’ll work closely with landowners, farmers, tenants, contractors, and regulators, acting as the trusted link between Manor Farm and the wider Oxygen Conservation team. Your resource pack Your Working Environment Most of our roles, unless site specific allow you the freedom to work from anywhere in the country, should you need help with this we too will be there to support. Best Teammates We always want to ensure every member of the team has the right support needed. We are a tight knit team, always sharing, meeting and working together. Although we work remotely from one another the culture we have shaped allows you to never feel alone. Do What You Love If you bring a passion for conservation and a care for the environment, we’ll support you to create your dream role. Tools to perform We will ensure you are provided with the equipment you need to be incredible in your role.