Location
Maidstone, Kent with hybrid working across offices, reserves, visitor centres and some remote work depending on role.

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£42,000 per annum

About the Role
Kent Wildlife Trust, the county’s leading conservation charity, is seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Farming and Catchment Programme Manager to lead and develop our work with farmers, landowners and partners to restore nature across Kent. In this senior leadership role, you will manage a team supporting farm clusters, improving river and catchment health, and developing nature-based projects that generate income for conservation. Your remit will include key areas such as the River Beult, the Low Weald, the Stour Catchment and East Kent. You will also contribute to major projects including the Darent Valley Landscape Recovery Scheme and early plans for the East Kent Nature Investment Zone.

Working closely with conservation teams, you will support landowner engagement for species recovery projects including pine marten, chough and the licensed release of beavers. This role involves building strong partnerships with farmers, landowners, water companies, government bodies and other stakeholders to create and deliver new nature recovery initiatives.

Key responsibilities include leading and developing landowner engagement, farm cluster and catchment teams, managing budgets, project delivery and staff performance. You will oversee landscape-scale initiatives such as catchment restoration, farm cluster work and Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and advance green finance initiatives including Biodiversity Net Gain, Wilder Carbon, nutrient neutrality and emerging ecosystem markets.

You will also contribute to strategic programmes, secure and manage funding with support from bid writing and project teams, represent Kent Wildlife Trust as an expert voice in agriculture, catchment management and nature recovery, and influence policy and best practice. Managing and mentoring staff, setting clear objectives and KPIs to ensure high-quality delivery across your department is essential.

Kent Wildlife Trust offers exceptional enhanced benefits including flexible working options, wellbeing initiatives and professional development opportunities to support your career and wellbeing in the face of climate and nature crises. Join us to help create a Wilder Kent for the benefit of people and the planet.

Experience
- Strong knowledge of UK farming systems, regenerative agriculture and agri-environment policy
- Proven experience delivering catchment- or landscape-scale projects
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills
- Demonstrated project and budget management experience
- Understanding of natural capital, ecosystem services and nature-based solutions

About you
- Strong team leadership and line management abilities
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively
- Motivated and experienced leader with a passion for sustainable farming and nature recovery
- Skilled at building partnerships and influencing policy and best practice

Qualifications
Not explicitly stated but relevant experience and expertise in farming, catchment management, conservation or related fields are essential.