Nature and Society Advocacy Manager

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Nature and Society Advocacy Manager to join our policy team. This exciting and important new role will lead a high-performing team to shape and deliver advocacy strategies that maximise the Woodland Trust’s influence on UK national and local policy, driving nature recovery and access to trees for all. 

Working collaboratively with colleagues, partners and supporters, you will develop evidence-based, practical policy solutions and identify new opportunities to influence decision-makers across key areas including nature recovery, land use, planning, infrastructure, ecosystems, access to nature, and health and wellbeing. 

This role is advertised as full-time, 37.5 hours per week, however we would consider applications from those wanting reduced hours at 30 per week. 

The Role: 

• Lead and develop the Nature and Society Advocacy team, identifying capability gaps and providing coaching, direction and support to deliver effective policy advocacy. 
• Build strong cross-organisational relationships to secure coordinated support for advocacy activities and ensure senior leaders and colleagues are effectively briefed. 
• Provide expert advice on UK and international policy developments to senior stakeholders, enabling consistent, evidence-based advocacy, communications and campaigns. 
• Develop and maintain influential relationships with government, parliamentarians, NGOs, businesses, academics, media and other key stakeholders to advance advocacy objectives. 
• Represent the Woodland Trust externally at high-level forums and with key audiences to strengthen the organisation’s influence and achieve policy outcomes. 
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Trust’s policy advocacy work and lead the development and promotion of policy positions through stakeholder engagement and media activity. 
• Commission and apply policy research, and provide specialist input to reports, consultation responses, briefings and other advocacy materials. 
• Oversee the effective delivery of advocacy projects through budget management, monitoring and evaluation, and continuous learning to maintain high-quality, up-to-date policy expertise. 
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our head office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Head office attendance would be required no more than once a month on average. Occasional travel to other offices and remote locations may also be required. 

The Candidate: 

• Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams, managing people, projects and multiple workstreams. 
• Expertise in budget management, policy research and the delivery of evidence-based advocacy programmes. 
• Significant experience in policy advocacy across nature recovery, land use and planning, and access to nature. 
• Proven ability to develop, negotiate and secure policy solutions that deliver positive outcomes for nature and society. 
• Strong track record of building and influencing senior-level internal and external stakeholder relationships. 
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and present complex issues clearly across a range of channels and media. 
• Experience designing and implementing theory of change, monitoring, evaluation and continuous learning frameworks. 
• Degree-level qualification in conservation, ecology, geography, land management, environmental or biological sciences, with a strong understanding of UK environmental and social policy, legislation, and evidence analysis. 

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 largest 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.  

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 on 28th & 29th July.