Location
Remote working with national travel across England

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), providing place-based leadership on statutory purposes underpinning National Parks. NPE champions the role of NPAs in delivering national priorities such as nature recovery, climate change, and public health, influencing policy, funding, and legislation to support their work.

We are seeking an Executive Director to join us on a permanent, full-time basis. This senior leadership role involves guiding NPE as its most senior employee and Company Secretary, acting as the central point of coordination for the Board and Chair. You will lead the development of influential, evidence-led policies and harness the collective expertise of all ten National Park Authorities to ensure strategic and impactful work.

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

Key responsibilities include leading and managing the NPE Secretariat, overseeing policy development and national advocacy efforts, building strong partnerships with government departments and sector organisations, and promoting the value of National Parks with credibility and passion.

This is a unique opportunity to unite diverse perspectives, build national consensus, and influence policy supporting nature recovery, climate action, and community wellbeing. If you are a senior leader with a strong policy, public affairs, or strategic influencing background seeking a truly impactful role, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Experience
- Proven management experience leading a small organisation of approximately five staff with 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 where inclusion and collaboration are valued
- Strong communication and networking skills, including political influencing and parliamentary processes
- Demonstrated ability to build consensus and unite diverse views behind shared positions
- Experience developing trusted relationships with senior stakeholders including Chairs and Chief Executives

About you
- Authentic and passionate advocate for protected landscapes and National Parks
- Strategic thinker with the ability to guide a national organisation and influence at the highest levels
- Skilled in building national partnerships with government departments, political stakeholders, and key sector organisations
- Committed to diversity, inclusion, and collaborative leadership

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are mandated, but a strong background in policy, public affairs, or strategic leadership is essential.