Biodiversity and Conservation Manager (The Crown Estate)

Biodiversity and Conservation Manager

Job Summary

To support the delivery of The Crown Estate’s ambitious strategy to enhance biodiversity and deliver nature recovery and carbon sequestration projects across its rural portfolio of Estates covering 120,000 acres of farmland across England.

Main Accountabilities

  • Identify appropriate, ambitious and practical nature recovery projects that provide demonstrable results and value for money, and take responsibility for their delivery and successful implementation;
  • Build, develop and maintain relationships with our farmers, neighbours, regulators, statutory authorities, funding bodies, conservation organisations, local communities and other key stakeholders to deliver best in class, innovative nature recovery projects;
  • Develop and deliver practical “on the ground” conservation management in conjunction with our farmers and managing agents; manage projects to deliver practical habitat creation and improvement projects;
  • Build on existing environmental plans to develop, refine, and deliver bespoke short-, medium- and long-term environmental strategies for each of our Estates;
  • Work with colleagues to develop metrics, data recording and monitoring systems and processes, track activities and record and report outcomes;
  • Work with the rural, sustainability and other internal teams to position The Crown Estate as a leading rural landowner with a demonstrable track record of successful nature recovery projects delivered alongside a vibrant sustainable food production system;
  • Work collaboratively with the Ecologists working at Windsor and in Wales to share experiences and knowledge.

Knowledge, Experience, and Skills

  • Proven track record of conservation and habitat creation and improvement at farm scale and landscape scale;
  • Significant experience of working with farmers and rural communities, and a demonstrable understanding of agriculture and the interconnection with the environment;
  • Experience of working collaboratively with internal and external colleagues, stakeholders and members of the public;
  • An in-depth understanding of ecosystem services and natural capital measurement, accounting and value;
  • Hold at least one relevant industry-standard qualification (e.g. CIEEM);
  • Enthusiasm and excellent inter-personal skills with the ability to build effective relationships;
  • Proven delivery capability, with good organisational skills, attention to detail and project management skills, with the ability to balance workloads and priorities;
  • Excellent communicator, able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences;
  • Effective written communication skills, including report writing and the ability to make a case for projects and interventions;
  • Effective data management, ideally also with GIS experience;
  • Experience of grant funding or other subsidy application processes;
  • Ability to formulate budgets and business cases.