Location
Flexible - You will be contracted to the nearest Natural Resources Wales (NRW) office to your home with a suitable hybrid working pattern agreed on appointment.

Hours
Full Time - 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term time working considered; discussions at interview stage welcome)

Salary
£45,367 rising to £50,877 per annum through annual increments (pro rata for part time applicants)

About the Role
As Lead Forest Operations Advisor, you will provide expert technical leadership on Timber Harvesting and/or Forest Management operations, guiding how NRW manages the land in its care. You will manage the preparation of NRW policy, programmes, plans, strategies, and guidance that translate Welsh & UK Government policy, UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) requirements, and industry standards into practical, deliverable approaches.
You will collaborate with colleagues across Evidence, Policy and Permitting, Commercial, and Operations teams, as well as officials from Welsh Government and sector representatives.
Flexible working is supported, with regular face-to-face meetings or training planned in advance.
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead and project manage complex issues requiring development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, and programmes.
- Retain ownership and oversight of forest operations functional policy to ensure integrity of NRW approaches in relation to UKWAS, regulatory, and industry standards.
- Commission and deliver monitoring procedures and audits.
- Identify knowledge and competency gaps, commission resources, training, and programmes to address these; manage projects in line with agreed programmes.
- Maintain detailed working knowledge of the forestry sector, including legislative, technological, and market changes impacting NRW.
- Lead or contribute to task and finish groups commissioned through the Land Stewardship Business Board.
- Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver agreed personal objectives.
- Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the post.
- Commit to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.
- Engage in personal development through effective use of your personal development plan (Sgwrs).
- Perform any other reasonable duties commensurate with the role grade.

Experience
- Knowledge of Welsh and UK legislation and policy drivers related to forestry and sustainable forest management in public forestry.
- Experience and knowledge of timber harvesting operations and/or sustainable forest management.
- Understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved in forestry and sustainable land management in the UK, and how to apply this knowledge in Wales.
- Experience working with forest industry companies, local authorities, environmental NGOs, and National Park Authorities.
- Experience in programme and project management, with relevant qualifications or demonstrable experience.
- Experience representing an organisation in high profile and contentious public issues.

About you
- Able to share knowledge and expertise to help solve problems and support Heads of Business within Evidence, Policy and Permitting.
- Committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
- Motivated to develop professionally and engage with personal development plans.

Qualifications
- Professional membership or working towards membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters or another relevant professional body.