Senior Site Manager - The Lodge & Fowlmere

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Senior Sites Manager to lead our reserve teams at The Lodge and Fowlmere Nature Reserves. The Lodge nature reserve is a spectacular heathland and woodland reserve and the home of RSPB’s headquarters and gardens. Fowlmere is a well-loved chalk-stream fed wetland in South Cambridgeshire. This varied role will see you leading a team delivering nature conservation and habitat restoration alongside fantastic visitor experience. For the right candidate, this role is an excellent opportunity to oversee the management of one of the country’s flagship nature reserves, with scope for development.

We are looking for candidates with a strong commercial background, sound ecological, technical knowledge and practical experience of habitat management. You will be experienced in managing risk and used to delivering programmes of work of high quality on time. Ability to influence and work with stakeholders is a must. Experience of inspiring and leading teams of staff and volunteers is required. Previous experience of working with the habitats and species found at The Lodge and Fowlmere is an advantage. Above all, you will be a skilled leader and able to inspire and motivate to get the best out of your team.

What's the role about? 

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Team Management: Inspire, lead, and develop a multi-disciplined team, including reserve staff and volunteers. 
• Land Management and Visitor Operations: Oversee the day-to-day operations for habitats, species, visitors, finance, and legal compliance. 
• Plan Implementation: Be responsible for the review, update, and implementation of reserve management plans and business plans. 
• Compliance: Lead and monitor compliance in land management obligations and health and safety. 
• Project Delivery: Lead and deliver large-scale projects. 
• Budget Management: Oversee a work programme and budget. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

1. A proven track record of managing large complex sites
2. Leadership and team management (staff and/or volunteers)
3. Ecological requirements of key species
4. Relevant site-specific specialist knowledge (e.g. grazing, heathland/woodland/wetland management, trading, visitor experience)
5. Managing large scale projects
6. Health, Safety & Environmental management
7. Cross-compliance/risk management
8. Management of large budgets
9. Working with multi-functional team or in a big organisation

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

1. Contract management
2. Degree level qualification or equivalent experience
3. Commercial experience of a retail and/or catering operation
4. Identification of hazardous trees

This is a Permanent role for 37.5 hours per week. The Senior Site Manager role is based at The Lodge with regular travel to Fowlmere and occasional travel to other sites.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 11th July 2025. For further information please contact [email protected] 

As part of this application process, you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.