Business development associate jobs in Edinburgh

The Woodland Trust is looking for an Ancient & Veteran Tree Officer to join our exciting Sherwood’s Living Legends project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A development grant has been awarded by Heritage Fund to help the Woodland Trust progress the project over 18-months to apply for a 5-year delivery stage grant. If this application is successful, the project will safeguard the future of ancient and veteran trees in Sherwood Forest and reconnect communities with this iconic landscape. This is a fixed term contract for 18-months, with the potential for an extension. 

This role does not come with a company vehicle, however after a 9-month period in-post, we will review vehicle business use to see if the post-holder is reaching the eligibility criteria as stated in our Company Vehicle Policy.  If the post-holder complies with those criteria, with sign off from our Facilities Team, a vehicle will be sourced and provided. Please note that out Company Vehicle Policy is also under review as part of our Job Families and Contract Review project, so the eligibility criteria therein are subject to change in due course. 

To align with our Job Families, the successful postholder will undertake the title "Outreach Adviser - Sherwood".

The Role: 

• Lead the review and consolidation of existing datasets to inform a coherent, landscape-scale strategy for recording and mapping ancient and veteran trees (AVTs) across the Sherwood NCA. 
• Develop and test robust survey methodologies for AVTs, next-generation trees and successional deadwood habitats at scale. 
• Build strong collaborative relationships with project partners, landowners and stakeholders to support the development of the NLHF (National Lottery Heritage Fund) project. 
• Plan and deliver meaningful landowner consultations, ensuring clear communication and high-quality engagement. 
• Shape the project’s technical direction by identifying gaps in current knowledge, proposing innovative survey approaches, and helping define the evidence base for future landscape-scale interventions. 
• Coordinate information flow across partners, ensuring insights, datasets and field findings are shared, aligned and feeding directly into project design. 
• Generate interest and participation in AVT training and wider project initiatives, identifying opportunities for large-scale partnership working. 
• Represent the project at meetings, forums and events, sharing best practice and linking activity with wider Woodland Trust and partner programmes. 

The Candidate: 

• Strong biological recording skills with proven experience surveying ancient and veteran trees and/or associated species. 
• Proficient in GIS mapping and spatial analysis, with the ability to manage, interpret and consolidate complex datasets. 
• Knowledge of AVT ecology, identification, and the threats facing these irreplaceable habitats. 
• Experience advising landowners within woodland conservation, arboriculture or forestry, including familiarity with land management grants and agri-environment schemes. 
• Skilled communicator, confident in written, verbal and public-facing settings, able to represent the organisation professionally. 
• Excellent partnership-building abilities, with a track record of developing productive networks and collaborative relationships. 
• Highly organised, able to plan, prioritise and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining attention to detail. 
• Full driving licence and ability to travel widely, including to remote sites. 

Benefits and Wellbeing: 

Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: 

• Enhanced Employer Pension 
• Life Assurance 
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options 
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time) 
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme 
• Enhanced Parental Pay 
• Employee Assistance Programme 

About Us: 

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.  We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: 

To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.  

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. 

Application Advice: 

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and CVs are redacted until after shortlisting is complete. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply.

Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI): 

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. 

Apply Now: 

If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. 

Interviews to be held on April 22nd 2026.