Location
Bellingham, Hexham, Northumberland

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
£48,765 - £52,557 per annum

About the Role
Join Forestry England, a passionate team dedicated to growing the nation’s forests for everyone. As Head of Recreation and Visitor Experience, you will lead the Recreation and Communications function across the North of England, collaborating with colleagues across all teams and disciplines to deliver the Forest District Business Plan and contribute to the national strategy, Growing the Future. You will champion the development of high quality, engaging visitor experiences across the nation’s forests, ensuring programmes are delivered efficiently, safely, and to a consistently high standard. Your role will promote innovation, strengthen the health and safety culture, and drive commercial performance—delivering significant income to the District while seeking continual improvements in operational efficiency. Additionally, you will provide leadership for communications and stakeholder engagement across the District, supporting teams to advance organisational objectives.

The North England Forest District is the largest in England, covering approximately 86,000 hectares, including 61,000 hectares of forest and 25,000 hectares of open land across Cumbria, Durham, Gateshead, Lancashire and Northumberland. The District is managed by a multi-disciplinary team of over 140 staff. The forest area is currently 90% conifer and 10% broadleaf, producing around 550,000m3 of timber annually. The District includes 45 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) covering over 10,000 hectares and contributes to nationally significant biodiversity projects supporting species such as red squirrels, water voles, ospreys and red kites.

Recreation experiences focus on five Forest Centres: Grizedale, Gisburn, Hamsterley, Kielder and Whinlatter, attracting around 1 million visitors annually. Outlying forests such as Chopwell Wood, Ennerdale and the Forests of Rothbury are increasingly popular for local visits, enhancing community health and wellbeing. The recreation and communications function includes approximately 40 staff and 650 volunteers. The marketing and communications team promotes recreation income growth and supports storytelling, reputation management, and strategic communications across the North of England.

Benefits
Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension through the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme. You will receive 25 days holiday per year, increasing by one day per year of service up to 30 days (pro-rated for part-time employees), plus bank holidays. The STaR employee benefits scheme offers discounts on everyday shopping, holidays, gym memberships, insurance and more. Free parking is available at Forestry England sites along with free entry to National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury. Forestry England is committed to lifelong learning and career development, supporting continual professional development, individual learning plans, and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

Experience
Proven leadership experience in recreation, visitor experience, or related fields. Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams and deliver high quality visitor programmes. Experience in commercial performance management and health and safety culture development is essential. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are required to support strategic objectives.

About you
You are a passionate and innovative leader who thrives in a collaborative environment. You have a strong commitment to delivering excellent visitor experiences and enhancing community wellbeing. You are adaptable, with the ability to manage change and improve services continuously. You demonstrate strategic thinking and can see the big picture while managing operational details effectively.

Qualifications
Relevant professional qualifications or equivalent experience in recreation management, forestry, environmental management, or a related discipline are desirable. Commitment to ongoing professional development and learning is expected.