Land Use & Nature Delivery Partner - Manchester

We’re looking for two Land Use and Nature Delivery Partners to lead transformational change for nature across the North of England. You’ll bring specialist expertise in land management, combining ecological skills, nature-friendly farming knowledge, and strong relationship-building experience to restore nature. Working closely with colleagues, farmers, and partner organisations, you’ll help drive ambitious, landscape-scale nature recovery across farms, woodlands, uplands, and urban green spaces.

There are two roles available (IRC171664 & IRC172093). One will primarily work in the North-West of England and the other will primarily work in Yorkshire and the North-East. Both roles may, however, work across the North region, depending on project needs and the locations of sites and partners you’ll be working with. Specific contractual location and flexible working arrangements will be discussed at interview stage.

What it's like to work here

Working across the North as part of our Restore Nature Specialist Delivery teams, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time as our ambitious new strategy “People and Nature Thriving” sets out how we will restore nature at scale to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich habitats within and beyond the National Trust landholdings.

The North region includes some of our most precious landscapes and species and holds significant opportunities for true landscape-scale nature recovery. As we form up to deliver our new strategy these roles will be part of the integrated region-wide delivery team.

These roles provide a unique opportunity to apply your passion and skills to make a real and lasting positive change for nature recovery and climate resilience across the north of England.

What you'll be doing

In this pivotal role, you’ll be driving habitat restoration and species recovery across the North of England, supporting farmers to deliver nature positive, low carbon and future fit farming.

You’ll lead ecological assessments and manage contracts to ensure projects achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes, whether that’s improving habitat condition, delivering net gain for biodiversity, or safeguarding protected species. Working closely with farmers, colleagues and partners, you’ll shape land management and grazing plans that embed nature recovery at the heart of farm tenancy planning.

You’ll champion nature restoration programmes that create lasting change, and you’ll design monitoring plans that clearly evidence ecological impact. Through collaborative, learning-focused relationships you’ll provide ecological leadership.

You’ll represent the National Trust in regional nature recovery collaborations and use your broad network of partners and contractors to bring together the resources needed to deliver restoration at scale.

Who we're looking for

• substantial, proven experience in delivering nature recovery across diverse habitats
• credibility and influence with farmers, with strong knowledge of farming systems and businesses
• experience in motivating and developing others through line management, mentoring, training and influencing
• a confident communicator, with strong negotiation skills, who builds trust and inspires bold action,
• deep understanding of the UK’s conservation landscape, policy and funding
• ability to turn ambitious goals into practical, high-impact advice and delivery
• strong collaborative skills, bringing together disciplines and partners to achieve meaningful change.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places