Nature Finance Lead

Full time on a 3 year fixed term contract
Interview date: 29 July 2026

We are looking for a Nature Finance Lead to help shape and deliver an ambitious programme of work that connects nature recovery, climate action and creative approaches finance to secure investment, build strong partnerships and support projects that will make a lasting impact across the Lake District National Park.

This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of an evolving area of work. You will play a key role in developing how nature-based finance can restore ecosystems, support land managers and strengthen resilience to climate change at a meaningful scale.

The role

As the Nature Finance Lead, you will:

• Lead the development of nature-based finance across the Authority, from shaping policy and governance through to income generation and the delivery of major projects
• Secure and manage investment from private, government and emerging nature markets
• Promote and support high-integrity schemes that support biodiversity, climate adaptation, and emissions reduction
• Contribute to the delivery of the National Park Partnership Plan and shaping its future direction

You’ll be a strategic thinker who can turn ideas into deliverable projects. You will build trusted relationships with partners, farmers and land managers, whilst working with a talented multi-disciplinary team of ecologists, rangers and other specialists in the Strategy and Partnership Service.

About you

We’re looking for someone who is comfortable working with complexity but also values collaboration.

• A strong understanding of natural capital and nature finance markets
• Proven experience of developing and delivering funded programmes or projects
• Expertise in partnership working and multi-year financial models
• Confidence working with landowners, stakeholders and cross-sector partners
• The ability to translate innovation into practical, workable solutions
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills

And you’ll be:

• A creative problem solver who thrives in emerging and evolving fields
• A trusted advisor who builds relationships with credibility and sensitivity
• A strategic leader with a ‘can-do’ mindset and a passion for impact
• Motivated by the opportunity to shape a new profession and area of practice

What’s it like to work with us?

Our people are passionate about the landscape and proud of the role they play to look after it and help a wide range of people enjoy it. We are innovative and agile in our approach to work, ensuring we get the best from our resources.

We’re a medium size organisation, which puts us in a good position to be adaptive and able to act on our decisions. What’s more, our staff know each other and can quickly form workplace relationships to make great team players and problem solvers.

We operate a hybrid way of working combining working from home and days at our office base at Wayfaring House, Kendal or at our office base, within the national park. You’ll be provided with a laptop to enable you to access our secure IT network when working remotely.

About us

The Lake District National Park Authority looks after this unique corner of England and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We encourage people to protect, connect and grow as well as supporting those who live and work here. Our staff include rangers and field workers, advisers at our visitor centres, planners and ecologists.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy:

• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Cycle to Work schemes
• Free parking in our carparks
• Paid time off so you can volunteer
• Subsidised healthcare scheme
• Commitment to wellbeing

We’re happy to talk about flexible working – let us know if you want to find out more.

See our website for a complete list of our employee benefits.

Contact

For an informal chat and to find out more, please contact Tim Duckmanton, Team Leader Strategy and Environment, [email protected]

We reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive sufficient applications, so please apply early to avoid missing this opportunity.

Diversity and Inclusion

As an equal opportunities' employer, the Lake District National Park Authority is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination based on age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.

Disability Confident Employer

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. By ‘minimum criteria’ we mean that you must provide evidence in your application which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as well as meeting any of the qualification, skills or experience defined as essential.