Location
Remote role with travel between National Park Offices and London, Central London as main base.

Hours
Full Time - 37 hours per week

Salary
£70,000 per annum

Benefits
25 days’ annual leave, rising annually to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays
Pension Scheme

About the Role
National Parks England (NPE) is a not-for-profit company representing England’s National Park Authorities (NPA), championing their role in nature recovery, climate change, public health, and influencing policy, funding, and legislation. We are seeking an Executive Director to join us on a permanent, full-time basis. This senior leadership role will guide NPE at a defining moment for England’s National Parks, directly influencing landscapes, communities, and environments that shape our national identity.

As Executive Director, you will be the most senior employee and Company Secretary, acting as the central point of coordination for the Board and NPE Chair. You will support the Board in developing influential, evidence-led policies and harness the collective expertise of all ten National Park Authorities to ensure strategic and impactful work.

You will strengthen NPE’s national presence, deepen engagement with political stakeholders and the Protected Landscapes Partnership, and provide Members with insight and intelligence to navigate evolving government policy. Leading the delivery of NPE’s influencing strategy, you will secure investment, tools, and powers that support shared statutory purposes.

Your responsibilities will include leading and managing the NPE Secretariat, overseeing policy development, coordinating national advocacy efforts, and ensuring smooth governance. You will build strong national partnerships with government departments, political stakeholders, and key sector organisations, promoting the role and value of National Parks with credibility, passion, and authority.

This is a rare opportunity to unite diverse perspectives, build national consensus, and influence policy supporting nature recovery, climate action, and community wellbeing. If you seek a truly influential role with lasting impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Experience
- Proven management experience leading a small organisation of approximately five staff and managing a budget around £1 million
- Track record of delivering tangible impact in policy or public affairs through effective engagement and influencing strategies
- Experience leading diverse teams with a focus on inclusion and collaboration
- Strong communication and networking skills, including political influencing and parliamentary processes
- Experience developing trusted relationships with senior stakeholders such as Chairs and Chief Executives

About you
- Skilled in consensus-building and uniting diverse views behind shared positions
- Passionate and authentic advocate for protected landscapes and National Parks
- Strategic thinker with the ability to guide national voice and influence policy at the highest levels

Qualifications
No specific qualifications required, but a strong background in policy, public affairs, or strategic influencing is essential.