Natural Capital Associate

About Us

HF Environmental is a leading Defra-designated Responsible Body that works with many of the largest private and institutional landowners in England, overseeing delivery of long-term nature outcomes.

The existing portfolio of natural capital projects includes over 40 Biodiversity Net Gain sites delivering measurable habitat recovery outcomes across England, with landowners collectively controlling over 100,000 hectares of land. Our ethos is to build decades-long partnerships to support environmental outcomes.

Role Purpose

HF Environmental is seeking a friendly, enthusiastic and highly motivated candidate, who is passionate about delivering nature as long-term infrastructure, and is ready to learn about the Natural Capital sector. As a Responsible Body, our team's focus is on delivering exceptional compliance and governance oversight of land management outcomes through long-term relationships with our nature partners.

Our project associate will be involved in all stages of the portfolio management process, from building relationships with the habitat teams, to overseeing compliance with the legal nature delivery obligations. You will visit and have responsibility for monitoring some of the most exciting nature restoration and wilding projects in the country.

This will be a demanding role with huge scope for growth, and strong analytical and project management skills will be critical. Knowledge and experience in land management and/or ecology will also be valued.

Passion for nature and the environment and a willingness to learn will be critical.

This would be the perfect role for candidates with a deep interest in nature, coming out of a first role in consulting, accounting or project management graduate programme.

Working Pattern

The role would require 2-3 days in our London office (Victoria) or out on site, and 2-3 days working remotely. Visits to remote habitat sites may require occasional overnight travel.

Example Responsibilities

• Build out best in class nature governance and monitoring procedures: Monitor and oversee scheme compliance with legal and environmental delivery obligations, ensuring best practices are followed.
• Project Management: Lead and manage delivery of new projects, ensuring efficient and effective structures for long-term nature delivery are established.
• Developing trusted adviser and landowner relationships: Build strong relationships with landowner partners and stakeholders across the industry, offering pragmatic, dependable advice throughout delivery.

Skills & Experience

You will have:

• Exceptional analytical, verbale and written communication skills: The role will involve assessing complex technical, regulatory and commercial puzzles.
• Demonstrated attention to detail: Ability to absorb scheme information requirements and track, implement and enforce high standards of governance on internal and external stakeholders.
• Project Management: Experience in managing the delivery of projects, ensuring effective and confident oversight.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and mitigate risks, providing strategic solutions to complex challenges.
• Passion for Nature: Interest in delivery of long-term nature outcomes. Willingness to continually develop ecological and land management capabilities.

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven and enthusiastic candidate to join our high-performing and friendly team.