Chief Executive

If you want to work with wonderful people and make a positive impact on our woodlands and wood culture, then being Woodland Heritage’s Chief Executive is the perfect opportunity for you!

Woodland Heritage’s Chief Executive is an inspirational leader, who leverages impact against the charity’s mission to derive strategy, underpin governance, deliver operations, generate income and make working at and supporting the charity a highly rewarding and motivating experience.

This role will be a core part of how Woodland Heritage achieves its mission and will be an incredibly rewarding and varied experience for someone with the right skills, experience and approach to their work.

About the role
● The role is 37.5 hours per week with occasional planned evening and weekend working as required.
● Options for flexible and hybrid working, with an average of 1 day per month at the Whitney Sawmills office
● 25 days plus Bank/Public holidays as paid leave (pro rata)
● £50 - 70k dependant on experience
● Permanent contract
● You will report to the Co Chairs and the Culture Action Group (Co Chairs, Past Chair, Treasurer)
● You will line manage the Engagement Manager, Project Manager, a seconded AOD administrator, work closely with a group of freelance fundraising, finance and operational support and lead a wider team of 3. In addition you will have key relationships with the sawmill manager, directors and team. An organisational chart will be provided to shortlisted candidates
● Lead on the charity’s relationship with Whitney Sawmills and their Directors, a business owned by Woodland Heritage
● Employer contribution to Nest Pensions.
All other terms and conditions will be as per your contract. More details are available via our staff handbook which can be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Person Specification
Qualification
● Degree level education or equivalent experience

Essential Experience and Knowledge
● Experience of leading excellent teams
● Proven experience of signifi cant income generation and leading on fundraising
● Experience infl uencing change with stakeholders
● A strong comprehension of charity governance and compliance
● Expert at managing shifting priorities
● A deep well of financial and commercial literacy
● Experience of delivering impact through hybrid working, including leading a diverse and dispersed team and stakeholders
● Demonstrable success in a senior management role
● Proven experience delivering strategy and leading impact against mission

A full job description is available on our website vacancies page.

How to apply

Please apply using the Application Form on our website. 
Your covering letter should be no more than two pages.
Through your CV and Covering letter please demonstrate how you meet sections 3 and 4 of the job description, in doing so communicate what makes you the best person for this role.

• Closing date for applications is 19th August 2026

• We will respond to candidates about a potential interview on 24th August 2026

• We may not be able to provide feedback to everyone that applies

• First round interviews will be held online at 28th August 2026

• Second round interviews will be held in person at Whitney Sawmills, Herefordshire on the 7th September 2026. There will be a task to prepare prior to this interview.

The interview will be conducted by a panel of charity staff and trustees.

We reserve the right to close the advertised positions early if we receive a high volume of high quality applications. We may also extend the deadline if necessary. We will provide feedback to candidates who are shortlisted for interview.