Director, Wilder Doddington (Nature Recovery Programme)

A rare opportunity to lead one of the UK’s most ambitious landscape-scale nature recovery projects. Doddington Farms LLP is seeking an exceptional leader to become Director of Wilder Doddington, a pioneering programme bringing together nature recovery, research, education, nature-based wellbeing and tourism.

The successful candidate will help deliver a bold 400-year vision for the estate, while building a financially sustainable and nationally influential model for land use and nature recovery.

At Wilder Doddington, we are working at a scale and timeframe rarely attempted in the UK, restoring landscapes not just for the next decade, but for the next four centuries. We are excited to be searching for the new face of Wilder Doddington.

Post: Wilder Doddington Director (on-site accommodation available)
Salary: £50,000–£70,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Location: Doddington Estate, Doddington, Lincoln LN6 4RU
Closing Date: Monday 6 April 2026, 10pm

Wilder Doddington

Wilder Doddington extends across approximately 770 hectares just west of Lincoln and forms part of the historic Doddington Hall Estate. Doddington has not been sold since the 16th century and is still lived in and run by the family owners.

In 2021 the estate launched a 400-year project to restore nature across the landscape while creating new opportunities for people to experience and understand the natural world. The estate is allowing natural processes to return and landscapes to recover, while gently guiding ecological restoration through interventions such as:

• Creation of ponds and wetlands
• Establishment of wood pasture and species-rich grassland
• Conservation grazing with the estate’s Lincoln Red cattle
• Reintroduction of missing keystone species including wild ponies and pigs

Wilder Doddington is currently supported by a 10-year Natural England Countryside Stewardship Scheme, with a long-term ambition to demonstrate how nature recovery, food production and rural economies can thrive together.

The Role

The Wilder Doddington Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Wilder programme. The Director will lead the delivery of:

• The Wilder Doddington estate strategy
• Educational and nature-based tourism initiatives
• Doddington’s participation in the Landscape Recovery programme

The Director will act as the public face of Wilder Doddington, building strong relationships across conservation, land management, research and rural enterprise sectors. They will work closely with the estate’s Senior Management Team, contributing to strategic planning and supporting the continued development of Doddington’s diverse businesses.

How to Apply

For full details of the role and how to apply, please follow the link below.

Deadline for applications is Monday 6 April 2026, 10pm.

Please contact: [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any queries or require additional information.