Wildlife jobs

Woodland Ranger

We are seeking an experienced and practical Woodland Ranger to play a key role in managing and enhancing woodland and habitats across a large rural estate.

Position: Woodland Ranger
Salary: £27,000 to £31,000
Location: Gloucestershire, based across the Home Estates with an estate yard near Quenington
Hours: Full time, Monday to Friday (08:00 to 16:30 Monday to Thursday, 08:00 to 15:30 Friday)
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 8 February 2026
Interview date: 19 February 2026

About the role

This is a varied, hands-on role working across woodland, habitats, access routes and estate land. Responsibilities will change seasonally, with a stronger focus on woodland management and tree safety in winter, and vegetation management and mowing during the summer months.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the delivery of woodland management plans and habitat strategies to promote biodiversity and ecological health
• Assisting with tree works and woodland operations as directed
• Wildlife management, including squirrel control, using best practice and innovative approaches
• Maintaining public footpaths and bridleways, ensuring they remain safe and accessible year-round
• Responding to fallen trees, storm damage and other access issues
• Working closely with estates, property and conservation colleagues across a broad landholding
• Supporting contractors and third parties working on site
• Leading or supporting volunteer working parties when required
• Contributing ideas and expertise to wider conservation and estates projects

About you

You will be practical, organised and confident working outdoors in all seasons, with a strong interest in conservation and land management.

You will ideally have:

• Experience of working safely to industry best practice in tree and woodland work
• Experience of, or willingness to learn, wildlife control methods
• Good map reading and orientation skills
• Experience maintaining green spaces and estate environments to a high standard
• Confidence using machinery such as mowers, brush cutters, chippers and tractors
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and problem solve
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• A background in arboriculture, forestry or conservation through study or industry experience

Desirable skills include aerial tree work, tree inspection, winching, digger or MEWP use, spraying qualifications and highways safety training.

About the organisation

The organisation is an educational charity and landowning organisation with a mission to connect people with land through outdoor learning and responsible stewardship. The Trust manages over 9,000 hectares of land across England, balancing environmental protection, income generation and education.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Woodland Officer, Forestry Technician, Conservation Ranger, Arboricultural Technician, Estates Ranger, Land Management Officer, Environmental Operative, Etc. #INDNFP

We are seeking a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the charity; sustaining and growing our work to enhance and protect the river environment so that people and wildlife can thrive.

About you

The successful candidate will have proven senior leadership skills and strong experience in the environmental conservation sector. They will be able to demonstrate experience and achievement across the core elements of a CEO role: strategic organisational planning, business development, operational delivery, people management and development, communication and management of resources. 

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please consider joining us to lead our work in Rethinking Eden’s Rivers for Good.

About us

Eden Rivers Trust (ERT)  is the Cumbrian conservation charity standing up for Eden’s rivers, enhancing and protecting the river environment so that people and wildlife can thrive. Since 1996, we have created and protected havens for wildlife, ensured that our precious fresh water is clean and safe for everyone, and spread the word about healthy, natural rivers far and wide.

Through the combination of our team’s expertise in working with nature and natural processes, the passion of our volunteers,  and our partnership work, together we are finding better ways to help Eden’s rivers thrive – for wildlife, for people, and for generations to come.

About the role

This role represents an exciting opportunity to build on Eden Rivers Trust’s success and take the Trust forward at a time when rivers and water are high in the public consciousness and firmly on the Government’s agenda. Change is expected across the water sector, and Eden Rivers Trust wants to be part of delivering that change – working positively and practically from the ground up.  

We have opportunities to make a significant impact in tackling many environmental issues around water in the Eden and Cumbria;  promoting the concept of integrated catchment management through delivering our strategic plan and the Eden Catchment Plan, both of which contribute to the Cumbria Local Nature Recovery Strategy,  the Government’s Environment Improvement Plan and Plan for Water. 

We will do this working with a multitude of partners, including our sister Rivers Trusts in Cumbria and across the North West. 

For more information and details of how to apply, please read the Recruitment pack  

Deadline for applications: Midnight, Sunday, 15 March 2026
First interviews for this post will take place either week beginning Monday, 23 March or 30 March 2026 and will be a mixture of online and in-person interviews. 

Full Time – 35 hour per week

Salary: £34,000 to £36,000 depending on skills and experience

Fixed Term Contract until March 2031

Location: Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is shaping a wilder future for our counties – protecting special places, restoring habitats and inspiring people to act for nature. As part of the UK’s fastest-growing movement for nature’s recovery, we lead with passion, integrity and bold thinking. Join a team where your work has purpose, your ideas matter, and you can help create lasting change for wildlife and people. 

We are seeking a Test & Itchen Programme Manager to join our cause.

The Programme Manager will focus on delivery of the Test & Itchen Recovery Plan; a new strategic pilot hosted by the Test & Itchen Catchment Partnership. Working closely with co-hosts, the Wessex Rivers Trust, this role will support coordination and reporting to a new TICP Strategic Leadership Group and tracking of delivery against the TICP’s Catchment Plans. This role is a critical link between HIWWT, the Catchment Partnership and Southern Water over the AMP 8 period 2025 to 2030, aiming to support Integrated Catchment management between Southern Water and the partnership with a focus on project development. The project has the following key functions:

• Project management & reporting for S20 activities, including supervision of contract delivery and reporting against monitoring plans, mitigation packages, and compensation packages on specified catchments.
• To act as programme lead & to supervise the T&I Projects Officer in enabling the collation and coordination of work between Southern Water and the Catchment Hosts/Catchment Partnership and the creation of a shared priority project pipeline plan.
• To support and help coordinate ongoing partnership projects running with Southern Water and the Catchment Hosts/Catchment Partnership/HIWWT.

About you:

• You’re an experienced and proactive environmental leader with a strong understanding of river catchments, their ecology, and the challenges facing lowland river systems. Confident in managing people, projects, and partnerships, you combine technical expertise with strategic oversight to deliver complex, high-impact programmes.
• You’re adept at building trust and collaboration across diverse stakeholders – from water companies and regulators to landowners and local communities – ensuring shared goals are turned into tangible outcomes for nature. Skilled in planning, coordination, and performance management, you balance attention to detail with a clear vision for long-term environmental recovery.
• With a passion for wildlife and a commitment to the Wilder 2030 vision, you bring leadership, professionalism, and drive to restore the Test and Itchen and help create a wilder, more resilient Hampshire.

Wild About Inclusion!
As an inclusive employer we recognise that our workforce needs to better reflect the communities in which we live and work.  We encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly those underrepresented within our sector, including people from black, Asian, minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a Movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.

Disability Confident. We are proudly a Disability Confident Committed employer. The scheme is helping us recruit and retain great people to meet our workforce needs. As a member of the scheme, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. 

To be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme you must:

• Identify as being disabled which under the Equality Act 2010 means a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial*, long term** adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities; or a long-term health condition; and;

 (*Substantial is more than minor or trivial **Long-term means 12 months or more)

• Set out how you meet all the minimum qualifying criteria set out in the person specification for the post at the application and testing stages. This is a requirement for all candidates, not just those applying under the scheme.

We offer a wide range of benefits including a competitive salary, generous annual leave allowance, a contributory pension scheme, life assurance, learning and development support, 24-hour access to our employee assistance programme, discounted staff travel with our corporate partners Wightlink (subject to T&Cs), free parking at our sites and more.

Closing date:  15 February 2026

Interviews:  To be confirmed

To apply for the role, please click on the 'Apply Now' button at the top of the page. In the ‘supporting information’ section, you’ll need to demonstrate, with detailed examples, how you meet the job requirements using the Job Description and Person Specification below. Please note that we may occasionally close vacancies early when we have received enough applications that meet the required criteria.

Please do not use artificial intelligence tools to assist you to complete the application form. We may not accept applications that have been completed utilising AI tools.

Use your words to save animals, conserve precious wildlife, protect biodiversity and build resilient ecosystems. As our new Copywriter and Written Content Producer, you won't just be writing copy; you’ll be the heartbeat of our storytelling, and creating a positive impact across the globe.

Why This Role Matters

International Animal Rescue (IAR):we believe every animal deserves a life free from suffering and that habitats should be protected so that wildlife can thrive. From releasing orangutans back into the Indonesian rainforest to rescuing bears from caged captivity in Armenia, our impact is fuelled by the power of persuasive storytelling. You will be the one connecting our global community of supporters to these life-saving missions through emotionally resonant and impactful content.

The Opportunity

This is more than a writing job; it is a chance to shape the narrative of an award-winning international charity. You will:

Craft Compelling Stories: Write everything from high-stakes fundraising appeals and Direct Mail to engaging blogs and LinkedIn updates.

Be a Brand Champion: Maintain and evolve IAR’s unique tone of voice across all platforms, ensuring our message of hope and action remains consistent.

Drive Real Change: Support fundraising growth by creating the very content that motivates people to donate and engage with our mission.

Collaborate Globally: Work alongside our Communications and Programmes teams to bring stories from the field directly to our supporters.

Who We Are Looking For?

We need a talented, self-motivated professional with a minimum of three years’ experience who understands the art of "audience-centric" writing. If you have a passion for animal welfare & conservation and the exceptional writing skills needed to turn a reader into a lifelong supporter, we want you on our team.

Please read the full job specification for more information.

Are you a HR professional passionate about people, culture, and inclusion?

Would you like to use your HR expertise in a values driven organisation supporting conservation aims?

DWT is seeking an HR Operations Team Leader to oversee day to day HR advice and delivery at Devon Wildlife Trust. They will use their HR expertise to guide managers, support staff and to develop HR processes that support DWT. They must be confident and knowledgeable in up-to-date HR law and good practice.

Key priorities

· Oversee day to day HR administration relating to employee lifecycle

· Coach managers to resolve employee relations issues proactively

· Refresh HR processes optimising digital solutions

· Provide HR management information

· Lead on staff wellbeing initiatives

What we’re looking for

· CIPD Level 5 (or working towards) or equivalent experience

· Proven experience in employee relation issues

· Understanding and commitment to values led HR practice

· Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

This is a full-time, fixed term appointment for 12 months based at Cricklepit Mill, Exeter.

Interviews are being held on 3 & 4 March.

We welcome candidates of all backgrounds and abilities who meet the essential criteria for this role. To achieve our vision, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves.

For further information and to apply for the post, please visit our website

DWT is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment.

Registered Charity Number no 213224

Philanthropy Manager 
Up to £44,000 FTE per annum, £35,200 actual, plus 8% pension contribution 
28 hours per week 
Permanent role  
Hybrid working – homebased working for the majority of time with a need to attend head office in Godalming on occasions

An exciting opportunity to lead relationships with some of the League’s most influential supporters and secure transformational gifts that will help end animal cruelty in the name of ‘sport’. 

What You’ll Do: 

As our Philanthropy Manager, you will lead our major donor programme and manage a growing portfolio of high-value individuals, trusts and partners. Working closely with the Director of Fundraising, Chief Executive and senior stakeholders, you will identify, cultivate and steward influential supporters, making compelling asks and demonstrating the real-world impact of their generosity. Your responsibilities will include: 

• Developing and managing relationships with major donors, high-value individuals, family trusts and corporate partners
• Delivering an ambitious philanthropy strategy, annual plan and budget
• Building and maintaining a robust prospect pipeline through research, networking and relationship-building
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to develop fundraising propositions, related income sources, such as family trusts and corporate partners, and donor updates

· Tracking performance, managing income reporting and maintain accurate records

Who You Are: 

We need a confident and inspirational relationship manager with a passion for animal welfare, who possesses: 

• Previous experience working with high-net-worth individuals, either in the charity or commercial sector
• Proven success in major gift fundraising
• A strong understanding of major donor fundraising principles

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using CRM systems and managing donor data.

Why Join Us: 

We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, enjoy flexible working arrangements, including options for compressed hours and remote work from day one. With 28 days (pro-rata) of annual leave, in addition to the public holidays, and a generous employer contribution of eight percent towards your pension scheme, we prioritise your well-being. Additionally, our benefits package includes discounts on shopping, electronics, hospitality and leisure. Find out more about working at the League. 

The League Against Cruel Sports is committed to inclusivity and diversity, and we welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

We believe that together we can end animal cruelty in the name of sport. Join us in our purposeful mission to redefine what is acceptable and inspire positive change in animal welfare legislation.  

Ready to make a real difference? Don't wait - apply now! We're looking to fill this position quickly and will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter stating what days and hours you are available.

About us

East Suffolk Trust is a new grant-giving charity dedicated to supporting nature and people in East Suffolk. Backed by a long-term commitment of at least £78m from Sizewell C over 70 years, we aim to make East Suffolk one of England’s most ecologically diverse and resilient areas. By 2028, we want to lead the way in investing in nature and people, empowering communities and transforming landscapes.

About the role

As our Funding Officer, you will support the day-to-day delivery of our funding programmes, providing high-quality support to applicants and grantees. You will manage grants data, assist with administration, and help raise our profile through social media. This hands-on role is varied and engaging, including in-person and virtual work, site visits to see funded projects in action, and opportunities to spend time outdoors experiencing the impact of your work first-hand.

This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven organisation at the very start of its journey. You’ll work closely with the Chief Executive and Board, shaping how we operate, engaging with communities, and seeing the impact of your work on nature and people across Suffolk.

What we offer

• A chance to shape large-scale funding decisions in a new charity and grow with the organisation as it develops
• A salary of £30-£35k per year
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Supportive working environment
• Hybrid working, with at least two days per week in our Halesworth office
• Flexible working options

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via our online portal. You will be asked to upload your CV, and to write a supporting statement (max 5000 characters) explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the attached job description.

We welcome the thoughtful use of AI tools to help structure or refine your supporting statement. However, applications that are entirely generic or AI-generated often lack the personal insight and specificity that make a candidate stand out, and are less likely to be successful. The strongest applications will reflect your own voice, experiences, and ideas, showing why this role excites you and how you could make an impact at East Suffolk Trust.

Interviews are expected to take place w/c 23rd February 2026.

Application deadline: Wednesday 11th February 2026, 17:00 GMT

We are seeking a Head of Digital, Data and Technology to lead and shape our digital infrastructure, data governance and analytics capability.

Head of Digital, Data and Technology
Location: Head Office, Regents Park, London NW1 – Hybrid + Some travel required 
Salary: C. £90,000

Purpose of the role

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international conservation charity, driven by science, working to restore wildlife in the UK and around the world. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and every role, every person in every corner of ZSL has one thing in common, we are all conservationists, and passionate about restoring wildlife.

In this role, you’ll guide and empower ZSL on its digital, data and technology journey, building confidence and capability across the organisation in how tools, data and insight are used to drive real impact.

You will play a key role in designing and delivering user-focused technologies, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening how we tell our conservation stories through data and digital innovation. By delivering user-focused technologies, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening our conservation storytelling, this role will evolve and future-proof ZSL’s digital ecosystem while supporting our mission to protect and restore nature in the UK and around the world.

This post is a blended role for office and home working; some travel to Zoo sites will be required.

Key Responsibilities:

Digital leadership and transformation

• Define and deliver a transformative digital, data, and technology vision aligned with ZSL’s strategic goals, embedding innovation to drive measurable impact on conservation outcomes and supporter engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight of IT operations, ensuring services align with organisational objectives, enable innovation, and support long-term growth.
• Lead ZSL’s digital transformation journey, championing system integration and adoption of digital solutions to foster a culture of digital literacy across the organisation.
• Design and implement change management strategies, readiness assessments, and adoption plans to ensure smooth delivery of digital initiatives and high-quality user experience.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the organisation to secure buy-in and alignment on digital priorities.

Systems and infrastructure

• Identify, develop, and implement accessible, user-focused technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions that enhance organisational efficiency, impact, and engagement.
• Ensure IT infrastructure is robust, scalable, and reliable to meet future organisational needs while adhering to sustainability commitments.
• Increase organisational resilience by proactively managing risks associated with digital projects, including cyber security threats, data breaches, and system downtime.
• Develop, maintain and connect databases, platforms and tools to enable effective and improved ways of working across ZSL systems.

Data, Analytics and Cyber Security

• Establish and maintain strong data governance frameworks that ensure data integrity, compliance, and security, positioning data as a strategic organisational asset.
• Drive integration across key datasets and applications holding conservation, science, and supporter content using analytics tools such as PowerBI and middleware.
• Lead insights-driven decision-making by leveraging analytics to optimise user experience, operational efficiency, and storytelling impact for all stakeholders.
• Oversee cyber security strategy, including policy, risk management, incident response, and reporting to the executive team, ensuring organisational resilience.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire high-performing digital and system users and IT teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Build capability across the organisation to enhance digital literacy and adoption of new technologies.

About You

• Extensive experience in IT, digital, data, or technology leadership roles, demonstrating increasing responsibility over time.
• Proven track record of developing and delivering organisational digital and ICT strategies.
• Broad experience across multiple IT and digital disciplines.
• Experience managing budgets with a focus on cost-effectiveness and value for money.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing large, high-performing teams.
• Outstanding leadership and strategic thinking capabilities, with the ability to set vision and direction.
• Deep understanding of data ecosystems, including platforms, governance, and insight generation.
• Strong grasp of technical data concepts, including databases, data science, business intelligence, analytics, and cloud technologies.
• Thorough knowledge of data governance principles, data ethics, relevant regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR), and cyber security best practice.
• Highly skilled at influencing and building relationships at senior organisational levels.
• Strong commitment to creating a culture that lives ZSL values and commitment to safeguarding, equality and diversity (collaborative, inspiring, inclusive, innovative, impactful and ethical).

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. 

What do we offer? 

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you 
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays 
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme 
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops 
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle 
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work 
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages 

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

Closing Date: 8th February 2026

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

No agencies please.

Following significant expansion over the last 5 years, this new role recognises the need for a cultural shift and realignment on operational efficiency and cultural cohesion. We have a turnover over £5m and employ 100 staff.

We are the largest environmental charity in the North East and punch above our weight in the

influence we exert. Come and help us carve out a sustainable and exciting future for people and

nature. The Deputy CE is a pivotal leadership role, supporting the Chief Executive in delivering the Trust’s strategic objectives and ensuring operational excellence across the

organisation. You will provide strategic oversight, manage governance & compliance, lead

cross-organisational initiatives and deputise for the CEO. You will head up the

business support teams and be responsible for transforming the culture ‘from good to great’.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and values-driven leader to help shape the future

of nature conservation in the North East.

The contract is for 35 hours a week. Salary is from £58,608 per annum and 5% pension contribution.

The deadline for applications is 9.00 on 20 February 2026. An application form/ job pack is on our website. Note CV’s will not be accepted. 

Content Writer
Location: WWT Slimbridge GL2 (Hybrid work available)
Salary: £ 34,405 per annum
Contract: 12 month fixed term
Work Pattern: This is a full time role working 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

About The Role

Are you a natural storyteller with a creative mind and a passion for nature? Are you able to craft engaging and powerful content that inspires action and drives change?

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of a well-respected organisation with an ambitious mission to restore wetlands and inspire others to value and protect these incredible habitats. From providing homes for wildlife to protecting communities from flooding, we want to unlock the superpowers of wetlands so everyone can benefit.

Based in the Communications team, this hands-on role will craft high-impact stories that elevate WWT’s voice, build brand awareness and deepen engagement with our visitors, supporters and partners. Working with colleagues from conservation teams to visitor centre staff, you’ll uncover and share purpose-driven stories that showcase the wonder of wetlands and the impact of WWT’s work across the UK and beyond. 

You’ll produce high-quality, audience-focused content – from articles and video scripts to campaign copy and thought leadership pieces – and lead the content component of key campaigns. Turning scientific insights into accessible and inspiring content, you’ll tell engaging stories that reflect our brand, values and ambition for a world where wetlands thrive.

About You

We are seeking an individual with:

• Proven experience in storytelling, journalism, copywriting or content creation.
• Experience developing narrative-led multimedia content and storyboards.
• Outstanding writing, editing and proofreading skills with strong attention to detail.
• Confident collaborator, able to work with scientists, site teams, volunteers and senior leaders.
• Experience creating content for digital platforms and an understanding of digital best practice.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to juggle multiple projects.
• Confident in seeking stories, researching and developing ideas for high-impact creative content.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) – this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

If you want to make a direct contribution to the conservation of wetlands and wetland wildlife at a critical moment for the natural world, then click apply.

We are based in Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire, but support hybrid working with an expectation for team members to be in Slimbridge at least once a week.

This is 12 month fixed term contract working 37.5 hours a week Monday to Friday.

Closing Date: 16th February 2026

N.B. We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.

No agencies please.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and values-led Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead East London Waterworks Park in this next phase of our development. This is a rare opportunity to shape the first paid executive leadership role in a pioneering environmental charity.

The CEO role is wide-ranging and dynamic, and will evolve as East London Waterworks Park grows. The CEO will provide strategic leadership to help realise our ambition to purchase the Thames Water depot site in East London, while strengthening our capacity to deliver community-led rewilding and nature-recovery projects across London in partnership with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders.

An important aspect of the role will involve introducing a sustainable staffing model that complements and develops East London Waterworks Park’s existing volunteer ecosystem, and strengthens our culture, vision and values. The CEO will be supported in this work by long-standing volunteers at both trustee board and operational level, who believe in the benefits this organisational change will bring.

About East London Waterworks Park

East London Waterworks Park is a community-led charity working to reconnect people and nature. Starting from nature-first principles, and with inclusivity at the heart of everything we do, we work with communities to co-design spaces to unlock a chain of positive changes that culminate in the long-term transformation of people and place.

Our work includes:

• co-designing East London Waterworks Park with the East London community, working towards purchasing a 14-acre Thames Water depot in Waltham Forest and transforming it into a biodiverse urban park with free, accessible wild swimming and welcoming community spaces

• co-designing other nature-first spaces on disused or brownfield land in London, returning land to nature in collaboration with local communities to encourage long–term community stewardship

• hosting engagement, education, and empowerment activities that build skills, confidence and deeper connections to nature.

East London Waterworks Park is a sociocratic organisation, with a decentralised organisational structure and a transparent and collaborative approach to decision making. We have grown organically since 2019, responding flexibly to the challenges we have encountered but always committed to our core vision: creating a new kind of urban green and blue space: one that is ecologically rich, inclusive, and shaped by the people and wildlife who use it.

East London Waterworks Park is currently entirely run by volunteers but we recognise the need to transition to a more sustainable structure. We want to introduce paid employees to ensure we can deliver the exciting projects planned in 2026 and beyond, while retaining our strong community-led ethos.

More information

If this sounds exciting, please review the attached recruitment package.

About the Trust 

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year. 

Join Our Team: Property Lawyer

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Join the Canal & River Trust as a Property Lawyer. We have a fantastic opportunity for a talented Property Lawyer to join our national Legal & Governance team; assisting the Trust’s Senior Property Lawyer with the handling and management of transactional contentious property matters across the Trust’s property portfolio.

Location & coverage

The position will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces on occasion for meetings. Main hubs include Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Burnley, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester, London.

This role follows a 37 hours Monday to Friday working pattern and will be home-based, with the allocation of a nearby Hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Property Lawyer and Principal Property Lawyer on complex transactions, whilst managing your own caseload of commercial property matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate leases, licences, agreements, transfers and associated legal documents for acquisitions, disposals and other transactions.
• Provide legal advice on day-to-day landlord and tenant issues, lease renewals, consents, title matters and statutory obligations.
• Assist with due diligence and title investigations for acquisitions, disposals, and projects.
• Manage instructions from internal stakeholders with a commercial, pragmatic approach.
• Help identify and mitigate legal risk in line with Trust policy and Charities Act obligations.
• Work in accordance with the property team support framework in delivery of legal advice to the wider Trust teams.

About you

We’re a complex organisation and our Legal & governance team work closely every day across the organisation in supporting our Estates, Property Investment, Utilities, Engineering and Regional Operations teams, in addition to liaising with a variety of external partners, stakeholders and advisors. The Property Lawyer will be working collaboratively in an experienced Legal team of qualified lawyers, claims manager, paralegals and legal PA.

The Trust’s legal team plays a vital role in protecting the Trust’s interests, across the whole range of our activities, to ensure regulatory compliance with charity, environmental, planning, heritage, health and safety (as well as the Trust’s unique historic waterways Acts of Parliament dating back over 200 years), providing advice and support drafting on contractual and property documentation, bringing and defending litigation (including judicial review) plus a full range of commercial, employment and boat licensing matters.

As our Property Lawyer you will be supporting the delivery of legal advice across the Trust’s broad property portfolio in connection with its commercial property transactions and related legal matters.

Skills & Qualifications

Our Values really matter to us. It is important for us that they also resonate with you and will be evident in the way you deliver your work, and work with stakeholders and colleagues alike.

• Qualified lawyer (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years‘ commercial property experience gained in private practice or in-house.
• Sound working knowledge of property legislation and case law, including landlord & tenant.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, highly organised, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to adhere to and manage deadlines.
• Have a proven track record of building and maintaining relationships both internally and externally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative and able to think creatively when solving problems.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across all levels and disciplines within the Trust and to participate effectively in meetings.
• To be aware of your own responsibilities regarding safeguarding and to support our commitment to providing safe environments and working practices that promote and protect the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk at all times

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.

What We Offer

We offer a starting salary of £48,000. Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. 

We are looking to recruit an experienced, innovative legal manager for our international Environment and Sustainable Development Programme. The ideal candidate will be a qualified lawyer with deep enthusiasm and in-depth knowledge of how our partners could use the law to achieve environmental justice. A more detailed explanation of our organisational and programme strategy is set out in our 2024-2026 Strategy.

Working as part of a small but dynamic team, you will have the opportunity to learn at close hand what it means to work for an international NGO focusing on how the law can be used to fight corruption and achieve environmental and economic justice. You will develop projects with a range of partners, including international agencies, NGOs, CSOs and governments. You will collaborate with a range of volunteer lawyers (via law firms and barristers chambers) who are leading experts in their field. You will also help nurture, build and maintain relationships with our funders. The role will involve outreach to new partners, programme management, supporting the drafting of fundraising applications and donor reports, tracking impact, as well as evaluating and learning from projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Implement the strategic vision for ILP’s Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) programme, in conjunction with the ESD Programme Director, Legal Fellows, Executive Director, partners, staff and Board;

2. Develop an understanding of the most effective environmental policy tools and legal interventions to deliver the programme’s objectives, through engagement with volunteer lawyers, ILP partners, ILP’s ESD Advisory Committee, staff, Board and others;

3. Support the ESD Programme Director to build and maintain ILP’s Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) programme. This includes:

   • liaising with partners to identify legal/policy needs and offer potential legal and/or policy reform solutions, including through conducting legal analysis;

     identifying and engaging in regular outreach with potential new partners to build the project pipeline;

   • identifying, building and maintaining strong relationships with existing and new highly experienced volunteer lawyers;

   • mapping and developing relationships with regional and international development entities and other technical assistance providers to identify potential partners, needs and focus countries;

   • representing the programme in external fora and events.

4. Support the Programme Director in ensuring effective project delivery and evaluation of impact including:

   • managing and coordinating project implementation through the full project cycle;

   • delivering financial management for assignments including accurate budgeting, forecasting, accounting and reporting;

   • Supporting the development and maintenance of strong programme management and knowledge management systems and processes, including regular updating of ILP’s online internal database (GRID).

5. Support the Programme Director’s fundraising efforts to finance both the programme and organisational overheads, including working closely with the Programme Director to identify opportunities for potential funding with partners, liaise with and nurture donors, design funding applications and create relevant budgets;

6. Deepen ILP’s knowledge and understanding of the situation in developing economies, including engaging in relevant research alongside ILP partners (pro bono lawyers, NGOs, CSOs and others) and sharing findings via written reports and output;

7. Share in the necessary operational and administrative activities of the organisation and contribute to website and social media communications.

For further information on the candidate profile for this role, our full job description is available to view and download below. 

We are the only environmental charity working across the entire length of the River Severn. Our work is bold, ambitious, and rooted in science and community action. From urban streams to remote upland headwaters, we are tackling the biggest challenges facing our rivers through restoration, education, and collaboration. 

Your Role 

As Senior River Engagement Officer, you’ll take a leading role in our Community Engagement team – designing and delivering creative programmes that connect people with rivers and inspire action for nature. You’ll manage and mentor a growing team, develop exciting new projects, and secure funding to make them happen. 

Working in one of our operational catchments, you’ll build partnerships with schools, businesses, and communities, while delivering hands-on engagement activities – from citizen science and volunteering to wellbeing initiatives and outdoor learning. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of community engagement at Severn Rivers Trust. 

What you will do 

• Lead ambitious engagement programmes – from school learning and family events to volunteering and river health monitoring. 

• Manage and mentor River Engagement Officers and freelancers, fostering an inclusive and supportive team culture. 

• Develop new projects and secure funding, turning bold ideas into real-world impact. 

• Champion nature-based solutions and river wellbeing, helping communities understand how rivers support climate resilience and biodiversity. 

• Build partnerships across sectors, working with schools, businesses, and community groups to create shared benefits for rivers and people. 

• Act as the local lead for your catchment, delivering engagement that reflects local priorities and inspires action. 

Who We Are Looking For 

This is a senior role requiring proven experience in community engagement and project management. You’ll need: 

• A strong passion for rivers, wildlife, and nature conservation. 

• Experience leading engagement programmes such as citizen science, volunteering, education, or wellbeing initiatives. 

• Confidence in managing and mentoring staff or volunteers. 

• Excellent communication skills – able to engage, inspire, and influence a wide range of audiences. 

• Strong project management skills, including planning, delivery, and monitoring of multi-strand programmes. 

• Ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively across sectors. 

• Willingness to travel regularly within your catchment and work occasional evenings/weekends. 

A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use is essential.