Wildlife Manager

Lyndhurst

Job details

Location

Lyndhurst, South East England, SO43 7NH

Salary

£37,537 - £39,661

Hours of work

Flexible working, Full-time

Contract

Permanent

Closing date

February 2, 2026

About the job

What you’ll do

You will share leadership of the District’s wildlife team, working alongside another Wildlife Manager to provide high-quality wildlife management operations in line with industry best practice and Forestry England policy. You will collaborate with Beats and other District functions to contribute to the wider Forest District operations.

Through inclusive leadership and teamwork, you will support the high performance of the District’s wildlife team, with a strong focus on nature conservation and delivering increasing cull targets. You will champion a positive health and safety culture, and ensure the proper management of firearms and production of venison.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work

You will share leadership of the District’s wildlife team, working alongside another Wildlife Manager to provide high-quality wildlife management operations in line with industry best practice and Forestry England policy. You will collaborate with Beats and other District functions to contribute to the wider Forest District operations.

Through inclusive leadership and teamwork, you will support the high performance of the District’s wildlife team, with a strong focus on nature conservation and delivering increasing cull targets. You will champion a positive health and safety culture, and ensure the proper management of firearms and production of venison.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Job description

• Responsible for the protection of crop and habitat from wildlife damage. Lead and inspire the New Forest Keeper team to deliver effective deer management operations, maintenance and operation of deer larders (and the presentation of carcasses for sale), in collaboration with Beat Foresters, District Foresters and specialist District leads.
• Take responsibility for the delivery of wildlife management projects and programmes of work as required.
• Promote a positive and inclusive culture in the New Forest Keeper and wider District team and actively foster cross-functional collaboration and support. As a Line Manager in the Forest District demonstrate and embed our organisational values and behaviours.
• Ensure compliance with organisational guidance and procedures and communicate the importance of working safely, to manage risk across operations for staff, contractors, and customers. Embed a culture of continuous improvement, promoting learning and development opportunities amongst the team.
• Provide leadership across the New Forest Keeper team, and deputise for the District Forester, as required, to ensure expertise and continuity in wildlife management.
• Develop and deliver the Districts Wildlife Management strategy, including the district deer cull and the management of other mammals to mitigate damage to crop and habitat.
• Design, manage and execute the programme of operations (Wildlife Management Plan) for the District.
• Ensure effective communication of the programme to colleagues in Land Management and across functions.
• Plan, procure, and manage contracts (including Deer Control Licences, volunteers and contractors) to deliver effective wildlife management, and the preparation and sale of carcasses, whilst meeting all relevant guidelines and legislation.
• Efficiently manage resources to enable effective delivery of wildlife management projects, programmes, deer larders, and ‘business as usual’ operations.
• Prepare the annual wildlife management business plan, monitor, reforecast and report on budgets and Key Performance Indicators throughout the year.
• Leadership of the New Forest Keeper team and any associated contractors and volunteers.
• Maintain professional and productive relationships with stakeholders across all wildlife management and project interests and work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider district.
• Engage proactively and respond constructively to existing and prospective customers and present the highest standards of professionalism when representing Forestry England.

And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person specification

Essential professional and technical experience

• Experience of leading a team, as well as successfully demonstrating a collaborative approach to team working.
• Experience of planning and supervising wildlife management operations, and the ability to demonstrate a significant understanding of health and safety and compliance, in particular the use of firearms, across wildlife management operations.
• Experience of budget management, and a sound understanding of and experience in contract management.
• Competence in IT with experience in the use of MS Office applications.
• A full drivers licence.