Senior Legacy Officer
The Woodland Trust is looking for a Senior Legacy Officer to support the strategic objectives of the Legacy Income Management Team by administering and managing legacies left to the Woodland Trust, ensuring that all legacy income is secured, protected and maximised.
The Role:
• Manage a complex caseload of legacy files, including pecuniary, residuary, specific gifts, and life interest trusts, protecting income where legal challenges arise.
• Recruit, line manage, and mentor the Legacy Assistant, providing ongoing support and guidance.
• Maximise legacy income through proactive case management and strategic decision-making.
• Deputise for the Legacy Income Manager and support team leadership and mentoring.
• Provide legal and advisory support on legacy-related matters to internal stakeholders.
• Monitor legacy notifications and income, supporting forecasting, reporting, and audit requirements.
• Collaborate with fundraising teams to enhance legacy journeys and secure future pledges.
• Contribute to policy development, process improvements, and data quality initiatives.
• This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our head office in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Head office attendance would be required no more than once a month on average. Occasional travel to other offices and remote locations may also be required.
The Candidate:
• Experience in legacy management or administration and/or Wills, Probate and Trust law.
• Background working in a charity legacy management team.
• Skilled in case management systems (ideally First Class 4) and Microsoft Office.
• Proven ability to manage residuary estates, probate disputes, and complex caseloads.
• Experience managing, mentoring, and advising colleagues.
• Strong stakeholder relationship-building skills across internal and external teams.
• Knowledge of probate, tax, charity, and data protection law relating to estate administration.
• Qualified in legacy administration (e.g. ILM Certificate in Charity Legacy Administration) and/or other legal qualifications.
Benefits and Wellbeing:
Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 Days Plus Bank Holidays (pro rata’d for part-time)
• Buy and Sell Holiday Scheme
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
About Us:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:
To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.
People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.
Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.
Application Advice:
For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, and we do not ask for your CV at application.
Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.
Acceptable Use - Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Apply Now:
If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. For queries relating to this new opportunity please email recruitment@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 9th & 10th July.