Job Description Job Title: Location: DIRCTOR OF BUSINSS DVLOPMNT AND NGAGMNT The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire The Manor House Broad Street Cambourne Cambs, CB23 6DH Regular travel around the three counties, and occasionally to London and elsewhere will also be required. Accountable to: Salary: Hours: Transport: Chief xecutive Officer 40,000-45,000 per annum, dependent on experience 37.5 per week. This post requires flexibility and it will be necessary to work some unsocial hours, for which time off in lieu may be taken. Must have the means to travel between the various Trust sites across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. If this involved your own car, you will be reimbursed for businessrelated mileage (currently 45p per mile for cars over 1000cc) mployment subject to: Proof of right to work in the UK Satisfactory references and a six-month probationary period. The Director of Business Development and ngagement reports to the Chief xecutive. The successful candidate will have strategic and operational responsibility for growing the Trust s partnerships with developers and other businesses, for securing income from land management and ecological advice to developers, and for growing income from the Trust s nature reserves and other innovative sources of income. The post will also maintain and enhance the Trust s outreach and public engagement, both face-to-face and via digital, print and broadcast media. The post will directly line manage Page 1 of 6
the Head of Communities and Wildlife and the Communications Manager. He/she will oversee a team of c. 15 staff. Main Purpose To grow the Trust s income from partnerships. To lead negotiations over land management and ecological advice to developers and other businesses. To grow the income from nature reserves. To lead the community engagement, education and communications work of the Trust to raise profile and grow support for the Trust and its work. To report on these areas of work to Trust committees and provide timely information for marketing, fundraising and communications. To help guide the Trust s overall strategy and business planning. About the Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire is among the largest and most effective of 47 Wildlife Trusts across Britain. Covering a large part of central ngland, population 2 million, we are the only charity caring for the whole range of wildlife habitats and species in our area. We currently manage 126 nature reserves covering over 4000 hectares; 95% of local people live within 5 miles of one or our reserves. With a turn-over averaging 5 million, 100 staff, over 1000 volunteers and 36,000 members, the Trust has pioneered landscape-scale conservation since the 1990s. We have raised over 20 million for our biggest conservation schemes, the Great Fen and the Nene Valley, in the last decade. We have pioneered the partnership of wildlife and development: with house-builders at Cambourne (90ha of grassland, lakes and woods) and Trumpington Meadows (58ha of grassland), retail at Rushden Lakes (270ha of lakes, grassland and wet woodland), and logistics at Lilbourne Meadows (84ha). In each case we are managing a substantial nature reserve, creating better habitats for wildlife than before the development, and generating income and profile for the Trust. Several other partnerships with developers are in the pipeline. Our nature reserves and other conservation work also have potential for income generation. This could include payment for ecosystem services such as flood relief and carbon storage - in the Great Fen we are restoring almost 1000ha of carbon-rich restored peat soils. Over 40 of our nature reserves have woodland, with potential for wood products, and over 60 are grasslands, with potential income from hay and/or grazing. As an organisation we have staff skilled in land management, livestock, ecological survey and monitoring, in community consultation and teaching at every level from pre-school to postgraduate. Page 2 of 6
Main Objectives To grow the Trust s income from working with developers and other businesses in land management and ecological advice; To find innovative sources of income from the Trust s own nature reserves, compatible with maintaining good ecological condition; To lead the community engagement, education and communications work of the Trust to raise profile and grow support for the Trust and its work; To report on the above areas of work to Trust committees and provide timely information for marketing, fundraising and communications; To contribute fully to the xecutive Board and leading the Trust, and to deputise for the Chief xecutive as required; To provide advice to the Trustees, Chief xecutive and other staff on matters of business development and community engagement. Key Responsibilities Work with Conservation Director and Conservation Managers to identify new opportunities for partnership with developers, businesses and other charities; To lead negotiations over land management and ecological advice to developers and other businesses, to secure the best ecological outcomes and substantial new income for the Trust; Lead on growing income from nature reserves (e.g. wood, hay, charcoal, meat, film locations, venues for activities); Work with Conservation Director to develop the Trust s network of nature reserves, with a focus on new acquisitions and destination sites; Work with Conservation Director to ensure the Trust s new partnerships align with the Trust s ethos and Corporate Plan and supporting Living Landscapes; Inspire staff, volunteers and members in the achievement of the Trust s vision; Work with the Marketing and Fundraising Director to identify and develop new opportunities for retail; Help foster new long-term corporate relationships working closely with the Corporate Manager Work with external consultants and experts to develop proposals as appropriate To ensure that the Trust meets its legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to the Trust conservation and business activities. Oversee the management and development of community engagement, formal education and teacher-training, through education centres and outreach, focussed on the delivery of landscape-scale conservation and growing support for the Trust. Work closely with the Trust s Fundraising Team to maximise income generation, including from business grants. To lead the Trust s Communications Team to help raise the profile of the Trust and its conservation achievements and endeavour to grow support for the Trust. Act as spokesperson for the Trust as appropriate. Management ffectively lead and motivate staff and volunteers, so that their contributions are maximised. Undertake regular performance reviews with all direct report. stablish and maintain effective working relationships with business partners, local authorities and government agencies. Page 3 of 6
Contribute to the preparation and control of the Trust s budgets and the maintenance of financial discipline across the Trust; provide necessary input to the annual report. Notes: 1. As duties and responsibilities change, this job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the post-holder. 2. This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within the post at various times. Therefore, the post-holder will be expected to carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the job as requested by the Line Manager, Head of Department, or Director. 3. This job description does not form part of the contract of employment. Page 4 of 6
Business Development & ngagement Director Person Specification ( = essential, HD = Highly Desirable, D=Desirable) Competencies xperience and Qualifications Degree or equivalent qualification or experience. Proven experience of managing a diverse team of staff. Substantial experience in preparing, managing and monitoring budgets. HD Substantial experience in working for/with businesses for the delivery of nature conservation in the UK. HD ntrepreneurial spirit; solid experience of business planning and taking business ideas through to successful delivery HD Highly experienced in proactively networking to establish and nurture new relationships HD xperience of leading community engagement to facilitate delivery of high-quality nature conservation HD xperience of digital, broadcast and print communications in the service of nature conservation D xperience of working in the Wildlife Trusts or other voluntary bodies D xperience of contributing to, or producing, successful funding bids in support of nature conservation work. Knowledge Understanding of the principles of ecology and habitat management as applied to UK wildlife conservation Skills & Abilities HD HD D D HD A good knowledge of UK terrestrial and freshwater habitats A good understanding of national and local government planning systems and their potential to enhance biodiversity and deliver high quality greenspace A good knowledge of conservation law and practice in the UK A sound general knowledge of British natural history xcellent interpersonal skills and persuasive negotiating skills, The ability to motivate and manage staff and to build and maintain an effective and integrated team of diverse talents. Accurate forecasting and structured approach to the market; creation of solid ROI models. xcellent oral and written communication skills, and the ability and confidence to engage a variety of audiences. Ability to build partnerships and inspire confidence among businesses, local authorities, government agencies, other voluntary conservation bodies, and the Trust membership Strong project management, financial and organisational skills; Page 5 of 6
Personal qualities able to prioritise workloads. Strong skills in strategic planning, and in monitoring and reporting on delivery of plans and projects. Computer literacy basic Windows/Microsoft Office packages. Sound judgment, a calm, confident, pragmatic approach. Disciplined, organised and determined to succeed. Resourceful and creative, a problem-solver. High ethical standards and probity. nthusiasm, strong self-motivation, stamina, adaptability Personable and persuasive HD Keen interest in and commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental issues. Note: In this role you will be based at the Cambourne office but will work across the three counties on a regular basis, and you will need to be able to get yourself to other Trust offices or external meetings; preferably be able to use own vehicle for work purposes. Terms and Conditions summary for candidates The following terms and conditions are typically offered to The Wildlife Trust BCN staff on fixed-term or permanent contracts, and are set out here for your information only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances and this summary does not form part of any subsequent employment contract. Probationary period: Annual leave: Pension: Six months with a review at three months. During the probation period the contract may be terminated with one week s notice. 25 days annual leave and 8 bank holidays per annum (pro rata for part time staff and those working less than a year). Three additional days of annual leave are non-pro rata and must be taken between 25th December and 1st January. Contributory pension. The Trust contributes 5% salary. This can be joined on successful completion of your probationary period Page 6 of 6