Location
Central London, with the ability to work effectively from home. Occasional travel required, including international travel.

Hours
Full Time - Fixed term contract for 24 months

Salary
£50,000 per annum

About the Role
The National Biodiversity Network Trust is the UK charity dedicated to making biodiversity data accessible and useful. We coordinate the National Biodiversity Network, develop the NBN Atlas, support iNaturalistUK, and are developing the NBN Record Manager. Our work connects biological recording, digital infrastructure, and better decisions for nature across the UK. Our vision is: Nature thriving everywhere, in all its diversity. Our mission is: Making data work for nature.

We are seeking an experienced leader for a newly-created Head of Data & Digital role reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. This role provides strategic and functional leadership across the Trust’s data and digital function, including the NBN Atlas, related digital products and services, and the wider data and digital portfolio.

You will line manage the Trust’s data and technical team managers, ensuring clear priorities, strong performance, proportionate governance, and effective delivery across business as usual, funded projects, and strategic development. You will lead the Trust’s 2-year organisational sustainability project, “Building a Sustainable Future for the UK’s Biodiversity Data Heritage” (funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund), developing and testing value-added data and digital services, web-hosted products, and support offers that strengthen financial resilience without compromising the Trust’s public good role.

As a senior member of the Executive Team, you will contribute to organisational planning, funding development, cross-Trust collaboration, and external engagement to support delivery and the Trust’s wider strategic objectives. You will work closely with the Principal Software Engineer, the Trust’s senior software engineering lead, to provide leadership across data and digital work.

The role includes strategic leadership of data infrastructure, service innovation, governance, risk management, project delivery, partnership building, income development, and external representation related to biodiversity data infrastructure and digital leadership.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a vital function within a respected UK charity, shaping the future of biodiversity data and digital services for nature conservation.

Experience
- Strong leadership experience in data, digital, technical, product, or programme roles, ideally with responsibility for teams, delivery, and strategic planning.
- Ability to operate at both strategic and practical levels, moving between organisational leadership, service design, risk management, and delivery oversight.
- Experience commissioning and managing consultants, contractors, or specialist external support to deliver clear and practical outputs.
- Experience developing partnerships, shaping propositions, or securing income through funded programmes, service offers, or strategic collaboration.
- Good judgement with the ability to assess trade-offs, challenge assumptions, and make proportionate decisions in a resource-constrained environment.
- Strong communication and relationship management skills, including confidence with senior stakeholders, funders, partners, and technical specialists.
- Experience working with Boards, committees, or governance groups, including presenting complex issues clearly and supporting effective decision-making.

About you
- Inclusive leader who champions equality, diversity, and inclusion in team management, service design, recruitment, and ways of working.
- Able to build leadership capacity within teams, supporting wellbeing, accountability, and positive culture.
- Strategic thinker with practical delivery focus and ability to translate complex technical issues into clear options and recommendations.
- Collaborative team player who contributes to organisational planning, business improvement, and cross-departmental working.
- Committed to continuous professional development and maintaining a respectful and inclusive working environment.

Qualifications
- Candidates must be based in and have the right to work in the UK.
- Knowledge of biodiversity data infrastructure, environmental data, heritage data, or closely related fields is beneficial but not essential if the candidate can learn quickly and lead credibly.
- Ability to travel occasionally, including internationally.

If you do not meet all criteria fully but can offer other strengths that would help you excel, you are encouraged to apply.