Operations Manager (Forestry)

This role will lead woodland creation, management and monitoring projects across Cumbria, working with a range of funding programmes, partners and contractors. You’ll manage staff, schedules and resources, helping keep projects running smoothly from planning through to delivery.

The role will also drive the development of new forestry services and opportunities as Raise continues to grow.

We’re looking for someone proactive with strong operational or project management experience who can coordinate people, manage complexity and support specialist teams.

You might come from a range of nature-based backgrounds, including forestry, farming, conservation, land management or another outdoor or environmental sector, but you do not necessarily need to be a trained forester.

As a neurodivergent-led organisation, we value different ways of thinking and welcome applications from people with a wide range of experiences. What matters most is your ability to lead delivery, build good working relationships and help projects move forward.

If you want to help deliver practical woodland and nature projects with communities across Cumbria, we’d love to hear from you.

About Raise

Raise: Cumbria Community Forest is a neurodivergent-led organisation working across 1,300 square miles of Cumbria. We work with landowners, communities and partners to create and care for woodlands that support biodiversity, climate action and people’s connection to nature. Our work combines practical forestry delivery with community engagement, skills development and long-term stewardship.

Working with us

This is a role that involves working across Cumbria, including regular site visits to woodland and rural locations.

You will need to be comfortable working outdoors and travelling between sites as part of your role.

A full UK driving licence is required.

You will be working with landowners, contractors and partners, often in complex delivery environments where priorities need to be managed day to day.

What we offer

·      Hybrid working

·      25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays

·      Enhanced pension scheme

·      In-house training opportunities

What we’re looking for

You don’t need forestry qualifications, but you do need relevant experience in operational or project management.

We are looking for someone who can:

·      manage projects or programmes from planning through to delivery

·      coordinate people, staff and external contractors

·      work with landowners, partners or stakeholders

·      manage multiple priorities and resolve operational challenges

·      support specialist technical teams in delivery

·      communicate clearly and build strong working relationships

Experience in forestry, farming, conservation, land management or similar outdoor sectors would be an advantage, but we are open to different backgrounds.