Lead Ranger

Summary

This is a new Lead Ranger role, delivering countryside management and engagement across the northern half of the National Trust's Wiltshire Landscape Property Group, including a number of countryside sites around Lacock.

The role will be based near Avebury, at West Kennett Farm, SN8 1QF.

What it's like to work here

Avebury sits at the centre of the National Trust's North Wiltshire Property Group. Set in the Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site, Avebury is known for its distinctive and internationally important archaeology and chalk grassland. Nearby are the important sites of Windmill Hill - a Neolithic causeway enclosure - Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene, with natural sarsen boulder streams. Further north-east sits The Coombes at Hinton Parva, a distinctive steep-sided chalk valley with a rich botanical diversity.

Heading west, you find Calstone & Cherhill, a further 200ha of species-rich chalk grassland and Iron Age hillfort with rare species such as the Burnt Tip orchid and Wart-biter cricket. Further afield you'll care for Sutton Land Meadows with thousands of Green Winged orchids. We will shortly incorporate into the portfolio a number of countryside sites around Lacock, providing habitat opportunities including the creation of new woodland and hedges, and management of lowland meadows.

You will play a pivotal role in maintaining and developing these iconic places to ensure that both ancient and new habitats are cared for with the correct management regime for heritage, wildlife and people.

For more information about our properties please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury

What you'll be doing

You will line-manage two area rangers covering the North-East and North-West of the county respectively, each with a ranger to assist them. You will report to a Restore Nature Delivery Manager who will oversee your operational leadership while they build external partnerships and explore new opportunities to deliver the Trust's "Restore Nature" strategy.

You will develop relationships with internal stakeholders, including our archaeologists, nature conservation and farm advisers, while also forging great working relationships with our tenant farmers and graziers.

With your passion for our work, you will care for our heritage assets, habitats, wildlife, property and machinery. Your commitment to our places will inspire others to love these beautiful sites as much as you do. Our landscapes mean different things to different people and we want you to manage our sites so they're accessible to all.

In everything you do, you will ensure that you and your team of rangers and volunteers deliver excellent conservation work across these fantastic landscapes. You will also share our common goals with visitors, and build relationships in the local community, proudly representing the Trust.

In this role, you will be required to work some weekends, bank holidays and evenings. A full UK driving licence is essential to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Please read the role profile and additional information on our website.

Who we're looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• a good manager of people, able to lead a team to achieve their goals
• experienced in managing land, nature conservation and access for people
• enthusiastic, knowledgeable and inspiring, someone who’s happy to work with people of all ages and backgrounds, including volunteers
• familiar with health and safety and compliance requirements to do with the countryside and people’s activities
• organised and self-motivated, able to manage a fast-paced workload with competing demands on your time
• confident in managing budgets, finances and contracts.

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

National Trust place

Avebury Estate, Estate Office, High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1RF

Requirements

Compliance. Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 28 June 2026

If you need any help with your application, i.e., due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [email protected]

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at [email protected] and we'll support you as best as we can.

Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity.

Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.

Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.