Forestry and Harvesting Manager - Wales

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Forestry and Harvesting Manager. The Forestry and Harvesting Manager is a key role in Wales which will work alongside our Site Managers for the Woodland Trusts Wales Estate. The role will be responsible for implementing and supporting the planning, preparation and delivery of harvesting and forestry operations. This will include infrastructure projects across the Wales Estate.

A company vehicle will be provided for this role. 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.

The Role: 

• This role is a key role in Wales which will work alongside our Site Managers for the Woodland Trust Wales estates. The role will be responsible for implementing and supporting the planning, preparation and delivery of the harvesting and forestry and tree safety operations and will include some infrastructure projects across the Wales region.
• Actively plan, specify, tender, procure and supervise the implementation of contacts on the estate to the highest professional standard, ensuring full compliance with our FSC certification and following the Woodland Trusts Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• You will conduct qualitative standards, mapping, timber mensuration, tree inspections, tree safety management and other data gathering to support the delivery of operations throughout the estates.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, local communities, partners and volunteers to discuss plans and projects to allow the opportunity for them to share their views.
• You will be responsible for identifying opportunities to streamline procurement of services and increase efficiency through packaging works into multi-site and multi-year contracts.
• Project manage a range of projects and programmes ensuring they are completed to a timely manner and to a budget. working with external partners and a cross-departmental team of foresters, people engagement specialists, communications specialists and funders.
• This is a homebased role, requiring regular travel across a wide area, mainly Wales but also across the UK, sometimes to remote locations. Occasional travel to regional offices and overnight stays will be required.
• This is a fixed term contract until August 2028.

The Candidate: 

• Experience in managing forestry and land on sites of high conservation importance with experience in writing and reviewing harvesting plans.
• Experience in carrying out inspections, managing tree safety and dealing with tree pests and diseases, such as Ash Dieback, and dealing with issues appropriately as they arise.
• Understanding of planning consents, felling licenses, access agreements, EPS, EIA’s and other species consents.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbally, being able to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders, local communities, corporate organisations, partners and volunteers to gains opinions on projects.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, contracts and contractors and deliver projects on time and to a budget. You’ll have a positive approach and be able to prioritise, manage your own time and meet targets to tight deadlines.
• Understanding of FSC certification, UKWAS, CDM regulations and practical issues faced when managing woodland.
• Hold a HND/Degree level in forestry, land management or other related field or significant demonstrable experience
• This role requires regular travel around the Wales region. A full driving licence is required. A commercial vehicle is provided with this role.

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our employees, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
•    Enhanced Employer Pension
•    Life Assurance
•    Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
•    Generous Annual Leave
•    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.

Commitment to Diversity & 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 we do not ask for your CV at application. 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.

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 will be held via Microsoft Teams.