Assistant Director Natural Environment, The Commons

Reference: OENV0194
Salary: £74,550 - £85,030 per annum inclusive of all allowances
Contractual Hours: 35 hours per week

We’re looking for a strategic and impactful leader to head up our work at The Commons, a diverse portfolio of greenspaces around London which includes Burnham Beeches, West Wickham and Coulsdon Commons, and Ashtead Common.

As Superintendent you’ll take responsibility for the strategic, financial and stakeholder management of these complex and geographically dispersed greenspaces. You’ll oversee high-quality land management, nature and heritage conservation, visitor services and operations across the three clusters of sites, ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities and organisational policies and procedures.

You’ll need substantial experience of managing public greenspaces for the benefit of nature, heritage, and people. You’ll also need experience of developing and implementing strategies, business plans, policies and service improvements. You’ll bring a deep knowledge of landscape management, biodiversity and visitor services, along with demonstrable expertise in income generation, budget and project management. You’ll have excellent communication and influencing skills and will confidently engage with a wide range of stakeholders. You’ll champion the sites and the team’s work to internal and external audiences including Members of the Corporation’s governing committees.

You’ll use your business acumen and financial skills to help secure the long-term sustainability of the four charities which comprise The Commons, and you’ll lead on developing strong partnerships and income generation plans. You will also oversee health and safety, strategic planning, asset management, stakeholder liaison, climate action and external representation, ensuring that The Commons teams operate to the highest standards of professionalism and environmental stewardship.

You’ll use your strong people management skills to help staff across the teams feel connected, supported and engaged. You’ll promote collaborative working and will enable the sharing of expertise and resources across the Corporation.

If you’re a confident, strategic and inspirational leader committed to protecting natural heritage, delivering high-quality public open spaces and advancing the long-term sustainability of these important landscapes, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

This role requires regular travel to and across The Commons’ sites including Burnham Beeches (Buckinghamshire), Ashtead Common (Surrey) and West Wickham & Coulsdon Commons (Bromley & Croydon) as well as travel to The Guildhall in the City of London. A full driving licence is required. You will need access to your own vehicle to travel between sites, and mileage costs can be claimed back.

The City of London Corporation is the Trustee of 11,000 acres of iconic greenspaces in London and the Home Counties. We deliver multidisciplinary work on nature conservation, climate resilience, heritage, access and recreation, and community engagement. Our Natural Environment Division has an annual budget of over £30m, 350 staff and welcomes more than 20 million visitors to its sites every year.

The Corporation offers a unique opportunity to work alongside world-class teams in an environment which respects and celebrates historic traditions and cultures, whilst providing access to leading innovators and disruptors across our global economic hub. We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all individuals who share our vision of a greener, more sustainable future for London.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as part of the selection process the successful applicant will be required to obtain a standard Disclosure & Barring Service check.

Closing date: 12 Noon on Monday 2 March 2026.

1st stage interviews on 9th March and 2nd stage interviews w/c 16th March.

To apply online please click the Apply online button below.

Alternatively, please contact 020 7332 3978 (24 hr answerphone) quoting reference number OENV0194 if you experience any difficulties. A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.

The City of London Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We reserve the right to close the advert earlier should we receive a high number of applications.

Because our roles are so varied, we don’t have a ‘one size fits all’ policy for workplace attendance. How many days a week you’ll be required to attend your workplace will depend on the requirements of your role. It’s important that you understand the requirements before applying to ensure you are able to meet them. We are committed to considering requests to work flexibly and job share. Requests will be considered by the recruiting manager in line with our policies and business needs.

For more information on our categories for workplace attendance, please view our guide here.

We will be reviewing this policy and approach at regular intervals to ensure we’re meeting our attendance needs.