Location
Central London with flexible working and regular travel across England, including occasional overnight stays.

Hours
37 hours per week

Salary
£48,765 - £52,557 per annum

About the Role
Forestry England is dedicated to growing and managing the nation’s forests for everyone, creating vital habitats for wildlife, producing sustainable timber, and enhancing public experiences. As Lead Wildlife Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for wildlife management across over 250,000 hectares of national forests, including 68,000 hectares of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 59,000 hectares of ancient woodland. You will oversee a team of more than 70 staff and act as the subject matter expert within the National Operations team, reporting directly to the Head of Environment and Nature Recovery.

Your role is central to nature recovery, sustainable forestry, and forest resilience. You will manage challenges posed by native and non-native species such as deer and grey squirrels, ensuring balanced ecosystems in the absence of native top predators. Your leadership will help maintain biodiversity, support sustainable timber production, and restore ecological balance across England’s forests.

This is a national role requiring regular travel to meet the needs of the business and to engage with stakeholders across England.

Benefits
Forestry England offers a Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. 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. Additional benefits include free parking at Forestry England sites, free entry to National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury, access to the STaR employee benefits scheme offering discounts on shopping, travel, and wellbeing services, and strong support for career development including professional membership sponsorship and continual learning opportunities.

Experience
Proven experience in wildlife management, ecological leadership, or related environmental roles, ideally within forestry or large-scale land management. Experience managing teams and delivering strategic outcomes in complex natural environments is essential.

About you
You are a passionate and knowledgeable leader with a strong commitment to public service and environmental stewardship. You demonstrate excellent communication and influencing skills, able to engage diverse stakeholders and inspire teams. You have a strategic mindset with the ability to see the big picture and make effective, evidence-based decisions. You value diversity and inclusion and promote fairness and opportunity for all.

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications in ecology, wildlife management, forestry, or environmental science are desirable. You must have the ability to communicate fluently in accurate spoken English. Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal record check and government baseline personnel security standard check.