At the Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust we are passionate about wildlife and nature’s recovery across our region.
We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Director of Nature Recovery with a genuine passion for our cause who can lead the team and help drive forward our ambitious strategy. As part of the Leadership Team, you will lead on all of our nature recovery efforts.
You will need a proven track record of success in a similar role and the skills and experience to deliver real impact. This is a broad role and in it you will not only oversee the management of the Trust’s own nature reserves and the development and delivery of conservation projects across the region, but also provide strategic direction for the development of our nature based solutions work.
You will also ensure that Birmingham and the Black Country Wildlife Trust’s reputation delivering high impact for nature is further developed through effective advocacy with a wide range of stakeholders. You will be comfortable leading change and encouraging new ways of working.
If you have the ambition, skill, creativity and enthusiasm to lead our nature recovery work to the next level, and the passion for truly making a difference to wildlife and people in Birmingham and the Black Country then we would love to hear from you.
Delia Garratt - Chief Executive
We are part of The Wildlife Trusts
A federation of 46 local independent charities working across the UK to create a wilder future. Nationally we have 900,000 members and a turnover of £200m.
The Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust
Is the only charity uniquely focused on protecting and enriching the habitats and wildlife of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.
We were the first urban Wildlife Trust in the UK
And for over 40 years we have been leading the way in urban nature conservation.
And we’re supported by nearly 7200 members.
Our annual turnover is around £1.7 million.
We look after more than 8 nature reserves including 2 Environmental Education Centres, one of which is currently home to our staff HQ.
A Wilder Birmingham and Black Country with more green and wild spaces where nature thrives, and where everyone has an equal opportunity to access nature in their daily lives.
Lead Nature’s Recovery in Birmingham and the Black Country, empower and support people to take positive local action for the benefit of wildlife and nature, and ensure natural habitats play a key role in addressing the ecological and climate emergencies.
Birmingham and the Black Country is home to a huge variety of species and our landscape contains many rare and important habitats.
The region has a rich natural heritage including historic countryside with ancient woodland, hedgerows and unimproved grasslands, large areas of heathland and nationally important historic parks and gardens. The many streams, rivers and canals that crisscross our towns and cities, our factories and workplaces are vital wildlife corridors, just as important as open spaces and nature reserves. From Sutton Park National Nature Reserve in the north to The Leasowes in the south, and the many other green open spaces and nature reserves in between, there is much here to cherish and protect, and many places that have a special place in the hearts of local communities.
Despite the wealth of wildlife and important habitats across Birmingham and the Black Country, we know that across our urban areas, access to high quality, nature-rich spaces is unequal and that as a result, many people are fundamentally disconnected from the natural world. This reflects and reinforces the unequal health outcomes that many residents already face, with
evidence clearly showing that people who lack contact with nature are more likely to suffer from multiple physical and mental health problems.
In Birmingham and the Black Country, we have a young and diverse population that is growing fast. Accommodating these rising numbers will add to the pressure on our natural spaces and the risk that inappropriate development will present significant challenges for both our wildlife and our well-being. It is therefore vital that we work inclusively to make sure that every community is able to take action to protect, enhance and enjoy their local natural spaces.
The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust works to ensure nature’s recovery by influencing how our landscape evolves to adapt to changing populations, lifestyle and land use, and by engaging with all sections of our community to make nature an integral part of people’s lives, improving the health and wellbeing of those that live in our region.
In June 2022 we launched a new, exciting and ambitious strategy which sets out our plans to 2030 as we respond to the climate and ecological crises.
Our strategy for a Wilder Birmingham and Black Country highlights the need for urgent change. We believe that everyone has a crucial role to play in achieving nature’s recovery and we need everyone to play their part; taking meaningful action to help tackle the nature and climate crises. There is growing public support for the environment and recognition that change needs to happen now. To achieve our vision of an increasingly biodiversity rich landscape we have ambitious plans to increase the scale of our work to protect, enhance and expand that heritage.
Read more about our strategy
1. Nature is in recovery
By 2030 we want to see 30% of Birmingham and the Black Country’s landscape managed for the benefit of wildlife.
By 2030 we want to see 1 in 4 people across Birmingham and the Black Country taking action for nature.
3. Nature is playing a central and valued role in helping to address local and global problems
By 2030 we aim for 500 hectares of land to be improved to provide nature-based solutions to our ecological and climate crises.
Job Title: Director of Nature Recovery
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Responsible for: EcoRecord Manager, Senior Reserves Officer, Senior Biodiversity and Planning Officer and Senior River Restoration Officer
Salary
£44,000 – £46,000 per annum
Pension
The Trust contributes 7% to an employee pension scheme. Full details will be provided.
Hours of work
37.5 hours per week.
Overtime is not paid but time off in lieu may be taken where appropriate.
Contract
Permanent (probationary period of 6 months).
Place of work
Hybrid working options, with a minimum requirement to be partly based at the Wildlife Trust’s Head Office at Centre of the Earth, 42 Norman Street, Birmingham, B18 7EP. The post-holder may be required to work at other Trust sites or elsewhere as the need arises.
28 days annual leave pro rata (including 3 to be taken over Christmas and New Year) pro rata, plus statutory public holidays.
The Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
To lead the work of the Trust to recover nature at landscape scale and address the ecological and climate crisis across the Birmingham and the Black Country region.
To lead development of the conservation work of the Trust to secure new income, growth and increased impact to enable delivery of the Trust’s 2030 strategic plan for nature’s recovery.
The role of Director of Nature Recovery is a Senior Leadership position, contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation and leading the achievement of strategic goals by facilitating the work of a growing department. The specific purpose of this position is to lead BBCWT’s delivery towards achieving its strategic goals 1 and 3. You will achieve this by:
• Leading on the development and delivery of all nature recovery programmes and policies to ensure that our work is appropriately targeted, resourced and delivered in line with our strategy.
• Providing strategic leadership and direction to maintain and strengthen the Trust’s authority in nature conservation within Birmingham and the Black Country.
• Ensuring that the Trust is well placed to seize opportunities for impact and income presented by Nature Based Solutions including biodiversity net gain, ecological services and carbon.
Lead on the development and delivery of all nature recovery programmes, projects and policy ensuring that the Trust’s work is appropriately targeted, resourced and delivered in line with its strategy.
• Responsible for setting clear direction for, managing and delivering the Trust’s conservation programmes and policy.
• Ensure that the best conservation science underpins all aspects of our work and that we meet legal and regulatory requirements relating to conservation.
• Manage the Trust’s nature reserves, maintaining good ecological condition and public access, to ensure these are exemplars of urban nature conservation. Identify and pursue potential for new reserves, reserve extensions and linkages, and opportunities for habitat creation in-line with landscape scale conservation.
• Develop and secure funding for biodiversity enhancement and conservation work, including land management, site improvement contracts and ecological services to deliver impact at scale. Deliver projects through employing and managing contractors, working in collaboration with partners and managing colleagues.
• Build capacity and manage a professional team of managers, officers and assistants to ensure the highest level of accountability. Build and support strong networks of volunteers to expand our ability to carry out our conservation and monitoring work.
• Ensure that project planning and reporting mechanisms are fit for purpose and work with EcoRecord to ensure conservation project records and data are maintained and to ensure evidenced based conservation work.
Provide strategic leadership and direction to maintain and strengthen the Trust’s authority in nature conservation within Birmingham and the Black Country.
• Lead on the creation and maintenance of policy positions on conservation issues.
• Keep abreast of local, regional, national and international policies of significance to biodiversity and nature conservation and to issues affecting wildlife within Birmingham and the Black Country.
• Build collaborations with universities and others to promote research to better understand our wildlife and what it needs.
• Ensure that the Trust is an effective advocate for nature’s recovery within the region, and build our ability to influence conservation policy and practice at regional level.
• Represent the Trust and where relevant lead local, regional and national fora and partnerships in order to achieve the Trust’s strategic goals for nature.
• Build and maintain strong relationships and networks with principle policy and delivery stakeholders including in government departments and statutory nature conservation bodies, NGO colleagues, partners, landowners and other key influencers to achieve positive outcomes for habitats and wildlife.
• Enable a collaborative approach to restoring nature at scale, develop strong external partnerships to achieve landscape scale recovery, and embed an ecological network approach to conservation and land management practice, policy and planning.
• Oversee all activity in response to planning issues, ensuring that our efforts are focussed on strategic issues with maximum impact for nature across the region.
• Maintain the Trust’s high professional standards and good practice values and authority. Keep abreast of policy and legislative changes.
Ensure that the Trust is well placed to seize opportunities for impact and income presented by Nature Based Solutions including biodiversity net gain, ecological services and carbon.
• Lead on all nature based solutions work, developing knowledge and understanding of nature-based solutions and creating innovative and ambitious delivery plans to support organisational strategy.
• Develop and implement new incomegenerating ecological services related to green finance, biodiversity net gain and nature-based solutions for local authorities, businesses and other clients. Organisational and Strategic Leadership.
• Provide organisational leadership, as a key member of the Leadership Team, and a trusted advisor to the CEO.
• Ensure all staff, volunteers and partners have a clear picture of the Trust’s strategy and how this relates to their work. Build strong, motivated teams who plan and evaluate their work effectively. Empower staff and volunteers to develop their skills, knowledge and capabilities.
• Provide thought leadership and guidance on conservation matters.
• Work with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and the other Wildlife Trusts in playing our part in the delivery of the national strategy.
Other duties
• Act as an ambassador for the Trust, forming and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, members and other organisations, and promoting membership wherever possible.
• Oversee the Trust’s Health and Safety policy in relation to conservation activity, ensuring all policies and practices are adhered to by everyone.
• Undertake other duties as requested by the Chief Executive Officer that contribute to the Trust’s work.
• Attend such meetings and Trust committees as may be required.
• Prepare papers and take minutes at meetings as may be required.
Other items
• The nature of this post means that out of hours and weekend working may be required, for which time off in lieu will be granted.
• This post is based at one of the Wildlife Trust’s office sites, however, travel to other Trust sites or elsewhere (including nationally) as the need arises will be required.
• The post-holder will abide by all Trust policies including equal opportunities, health & safety, safeguarding and data protection.
• Work with the broader Trust team on any other activities that match their skills and abilities as per agreement with their head of department and line manager.
• Proven experience and ability in organisational leadership and team management.
• Excellent, proven relationship building skills at a senior level.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant environmental science, or demonstrable relevant experience in the sector.
• Sound understanding and technical knowledge of ecology and wildlife conservation issues and methods as they apply to Birmingham and the Black Country.
• Knowledge of legislation, policy and practice relating to biodiversity, nature conservation and planning.
• Understanding of the procurement of services contracts could be an advantage.
• A high degree of competence in the use of IT systems and information management.
• Good numeracy and budgeting experience in the compilation and coordination of complex budgets.
• Good written and oral presentation skills and experience.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Current driving licence.
• Interest in working as part of a small, valued-led organisation with ambitious goals.
• Commitment to the Trust’s vision, mission and values.
Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust are working with Prospectus, our recruitment partners for this vacancy.
To apply please submit your CV (up to 1000 words) and a Supporting Statement (up to 1000 words) The statement should outline your reasons why this role would be a good fit for you and cover your motivation for joining BBCWT. You should also demonstrate your experience and skillset in relation to the Person Specification on the Job Description. If you would like an informal discussion prior to applying please contact Steven Fraser at Prospectus on 0207 405 4999 or steven.fraser@prospect-us.co.uk
Please note: Prospectus will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis for this vacancy therefore we would encourage suitable candidates to apply ASAP.
Applications should be made via the Prospectus website at: https://jobs.prospect-us.co.uk/jobs/ 185016-director-of-nature-recovery/
Closing date for applications: 11 August
