Head of Marine Conservation

Head of Marine Conservation

Salary: up to £48,000 per annum

Location: Flexible home working

Full time (35 hours per week)

Permanent contract

Closing date for applications: 2nd June 2024

First interview: 12th June 2024

Second interview: 21st June 2024

About Us

The Wildlife Trusts are a federated movement of 46 charities, supported by a central charity, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Together we have 900,000 members, 32,500 volunteers and 3,400 staff across the UK. We are at an exciting moment in our 110-year history, with the development of an ambitious new strategy, setting out a vision for nature in recovery, with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes, creating wilder landscapes where people and nature thrive.

Wildlife Trusts have restored and care for some of the most special places for wildlife in the UK. Collectively we manage more than 2,300 nature reserves, operate 123 visitor and education centres and own 29 working farms. We undertake research, we stand up for wildlife and wild places under threat, and we help people access nature.

The Wildlife Trusts have been one of the lead organisations in marine conservation in the UK in the last 20 years. We played a significant role in the introduction of the world leading Marine and Coastal Access Act and have helped deliver the UK network of Marine Protected Areas. Collectively as a federation The Wildlife Trusts are the biggest marine NGO in the country. You would be joining a world leading group of passionate and knowledgeable group of marine practitioners.

The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities.

About You

Are you looking for an exciting new opportunity and the chance to work at one of the UK’s best-loved nature charities? We are looking for someone with the drive, and experience of high-level advocacy and facilitation skills to lead generating and implementing appropriate policies that will drive change. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, capable, and passionate leader who understands both nature and people. You will need to be able to inspire politicians, funders, the media, developers and communities.

As Head of Marine Conservation, you will lead the delivery of the movements’ ambitious response to the current climate and nature crisis at sea.

You will need to enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, be organised and resourceful, have great attention to written detail as well as confidence in public speaking. We need these skills to come through in your clear passion for our cause. You will be part of a tight and dedicated central policy team. You will need to have excellent collaboration and facilitation skills and always strive to ensure that everyone can come together effectively across the movement of The Wildlife Trusts to achieve our new and exciting vision.

We are interested in someone who is able to demonstrate experience of working with political adversaries and has no fear of engaging in robust discussions on the future of environmental law and a reverse in the destruction of our biodiversity.

We need someone who has knowledge of the UK’s marine environment, the marine planning system and marine protected areas. Experience of out reach and advocacy efforts which has resulted in the public and decision makers calling for the restoration of our marine environment

We are particularly interested in someone who has experience of working with the House of Lords, backbenchers, and the shadow front bench.

The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.

RSWT take our Safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please look at the documents section attached to the advert to read our commitment statement.

The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.