As Senior Programme Manager (Woodland Creation) you will focus on developing and delivering a range of woodland creation projects across Scotland. Reporting to the Head of Operational Excellence and as a member of the Project Delivery team, you will be responsible for the planning, design, funding application, implementation, budget and long-term management of woodland projects. Working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of colleagues, you will consider the interaction between different project interventions and a range of ecosystem outcomes.
As a committed professional, you will seek to apply the highest standards of ecological integrity and project quality, while remaining agile, creative and practical in your approach to working with a range of stakeholders.
You will:
- Plan and design woodland creation projects, including site assessment and stakeholder engagement while implementing forest best practice.
- Manage and deliver a range of multi-disciplinary projects and be the primary operational contact for each
- Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with contractors, funders, landowners, land managers and any other prospective partners
- Deliver high quality grant applications, project design documentation and ongoing monitoring and reporting for active projects
- Create and maintain project budgets and cashflow on behalf of our clients
- Ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards and in conformity with project design documentation and grant requirements
- Manage Woodland Carbon Code application
- Mentor less experienced team members and facilitate knowledge sharing
- Adhere to and uphold high standards of workplace health and safety
- Guide internal stakeholders on how to improve and automate processes
- Contribute to the improvement of internal models and research relating to the estimation of quantities, costs and time scales for projects
- Develop and maintain good relationships with prospective partners to support woodland creation
This role balances technical and non-technical responsibilities: you’ll be working directly with key stakeholders in the delivery of on-the-ground projects and will be providing a vital role in driving innovation and efficiency across the business, while gaining significant exposure to leading industry partners and investors at the forefront of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation.
Your profile:
- A love of nature and a strong commitment to help solve the climate and nature crises
- A sound knowledge of silviculture, UKFS and EIA regulations is essential
- Extensive experience in the forestry industry
- Experience of practical delivery of projects, working with external stakeholders such as contractors and agencies, and management of tendering processes
- Proven competency in the delivery of Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) applications and claim processes in Scotland
- Proficiency in use of GIS mapping data and software
- Experience with Long Term Forest Plans and Deer Management Plans
- Detailed knowledge of Woodland Carbon Code procedures and standards
- Independent, proactive, methodical and data-driven approach to problem solving
- Able to manage a broad scope of work and run several projects concurrently
- Proven practical experience will be considered in place of industry qualifications
- Driver’s license and willingness to travel within Scotland
- Professional membership of the ICF or progressing towards attaining chartered status.