Suffolk Wildlife Trust is looking for a suitably skilled & highly capable Senior Finance Officer. This is a pivotal position within a small, dedicated finance team, where you will support the effectiveness of day-to-day financial support and ensure that accurate, timely information is available to management. You’ll be responsible for recording financial data across a range of systems and processes, helping to provide a robust financial foundation for Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
A major focus of the role will be the accurate and efficient processing of all financial transactions. This includes the purchase and sales ledgers, carrying out bank reconciliations, managing credit control and supporting the approval of payment runs.
Your attention to detail and strong numeracy skills will be essential in maintaining the integrity of the Trust’s financial records and ensuring that everything ties up smoothly each month and at year end.
Alongside core finance work, you will support the Trust’s trading operations by managing the online shop, overseeing stock for both online and retail outlets and working with EPOS and ECWID systems. You’ll also provide finance support to the Consultancy Team and Café operations, helping these income-generating activities run smoothly and contribute to the Trust’s wider objectives.
Working closely with the Financial Controller, you will support key financial cycles including year-end and the annual audit for both the Trust and SWT Trading, as well as month-end processes, balance sheet reconciliations and management accounts. You’ll also assist with VAT returns, legacies, project reconciliations, restricted fund allocations, budgeting and ad hoc reporting, giving you a broad and varied workload.
The ideal candidate will have strong numeracy and Excel skills, previous experience in a similar finance role and either AAT qualified or qualified by equivalent experience. You’ll be organised, efficient, proactive and comfortable multi-tasking in a small team, with a willingness to learn and take a hands-on approach. Above all, you’ll be motivated by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s mission and keen to use your finance skills to support nature’s recovery in Suffolk.
This is a permanent position working 30 hours per week over four days based at our main office Brooke House in Ashbocking. We operate flexible homeworking arrangements where colleagues spend more time working together than homeworking. The starting salary will be between £24,800 (FTE £31,000) and £26,400 (FTE £33,000) per annum depending on skills, knowledge and experience. Full time hours (37.5 over five days) would be considered for the right candidate.
To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 9:00am on Monday 05 January 2026. The application process will include uploading a CV and optional cover letter. The interviews are planned for Thursday 15 January 2026 at Brooke House in Ashbocking. Please indicate on the application your availability for interview (between 9:30am and 4:00pm).
Supporting Documents
Annual leave entitlement starts at 33 days per annum (including Bank Holidays), increasing annually to 38 days plus employees receive an extra day off for their birthday. We offer a 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required, free 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, free life insurance from day one of employment, free access to a private GP and discounts at high street retailers. Staff can also enjoy a 10% discount in our visitor centre cafes, including retail.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the importance of diversity in both nature and our workforce of staff and volunteers. We strive to ensure that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A Wilder Suffolk where nature is thriving and abundant because everyone is doing more to help”.
Carlton Marshes, in the Waveney Valley near Lowestoft at the southern tip and part of the Suffolk Broads, is a historic mosaic of grazing marsh, fen, peat pools, meadows, dykes and scrub supporting specialised wildlife. The visitor centre sits beside the watercourse with panoramic views, a café and shop, all-weather paths, play area and picnic lawn and a striking sustainable timber design whose winged roof channels rainwater into a clear pond before it flows back into the watercourse.
As the Senior Visitor Experience Officer at Carlton Marshes, you will lead the delivery of high-quality, inclusive experiences at our visitor centre, ensuring it is welcoming, engaging and accessible for all. You will oversee day-to-day operations, maintain excellent customer service standards and use visitor feedback and data to continually improve what we offer. A key focus will be creating meaningful opportunities for people - especially those new to nature - to connect with wildlife through programmes, guided walks and engaging activities & events.
You will provide clear, positive leadership & management for staff and volunteers, fostering a culture of membership growth, nature connection and community engagement. Working with the Catering Manager and Senior Wilder Learning Officer, you’ll ensure visitor services, learning and hospitality are well coordinated, while recruiting, training and supporting volunteers to deliver safe, inclusive and impactful activities & events. You will line manage the Visitor Experience Officer and your volunteers and work collaboratively with the Senior Visitor Experience Officer at Lackford Lakes - your counterpart at our other visitor centre near Bury St Edmunds.
You will also drive income generation and effective operations by developing room hire, group visits, bespoke experiences and the adult course programme by building partnerships with local businesses and community groups to broaden audiences and diversify income. Working with the Visitor Experience and Commercial Operations Manager, you’ll help manage budgets and use KPIs and insights to guide decisions and demonstrate impact, positioning the centre as a leading example of nature-based visitor engagement.
The role requires proven experience of leading visitor engagement or running a public-facing venue, including income-generating activities alongside experience supervising/line managing staff and coordinating volunteers. You will need strong communication and people skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, represent the Trust confidently and deliver inclusive, high-quality experiences and events. Excellent organisational skills, a proactive approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities are essential, as is confidence using Microsoft 365, social media and visual displays to enhance engagement.
This is a permanent position working 37.5 hours per week/five days out of seven each week that will include working weekend days and bank holidays. The role will be based at our Carlton Marshes visitor centre in Lowestoft. The starting salary will be up to £30,000.00 per annum depending on skills, knowledge and experience.
To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 9:00am on Monday 05 January 2026. The application process will include uploading a CV and optional cover letter. The interviews are planned for Friday 16 January 2026 at Carlton Marshes. Please indicate on the application your availability for interview (between 9:30am and 4:00pm).
Supporting Documents
Annual leave entitlement starts at 33 days per annum (including Bank Holidays), increasing annually to 38 days plus employees receive an extra day off for their birthday. We offer a 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required, free 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, free life insurance from day one of employment, free access to a private GP and discounts at high street retailers. Staff can also enjoy a 10% discount in our visitor centre cafes, including retail.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the importance of diversity in both nature and our workforce of staff and volunteers. We strive to ensure that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A Wilder Suffolk where nature is thriving and abundant because everyone is doing more to help”.
As a Café Assistant you will deliver warm & welcoming service to every visitor, helping to make their experience at Carlton Marshes enjoyable and memorable. You will be a friendly first point of contact, providing excellent customer care, answering queries, serving refreshments and helping to connect visitors with Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s mission by signposting membership, events, learning activities and opportunities.
You will be hands-on in the day-to-day operation of the café, preparing and presenting hot & cold food and beverages to a high standard, keeping displays attractive and well stocked and maintaining excellent levels of cleanliness and food hygiene. You will support stock ordering and deliveries, follow HACCP procedures and ensure the café space always looks inviting, comfortable and well cared for as part of the wider visitor experience at Carlton Marshes.
Alongside this, you will contribute to the café’s commercial success by following financial procedures, using the till accurately, supporting upselling & donations and supporting income targets. Above all, you will use your skills and enthusiasm to support both the café and the Trust’s wider vision for a Wilder Suffolk.
The Café Assistant will be a friendly and customer-focused person with experience in cafés, hospitality or similar customer-facing roles. You’ll be confident engaging with visitors, working as part of a team including our wonderful volunteers, handling payments accurately and staying calm during busy periods. A basic understanding of food hygiene and health & safety, good time-management and a tidy, well-presented working style are important, along with enthusiasm, a can-do attitude and a genuine interest in supporting the work of Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Carlton Marshes Visitor Centre
This is a permanent role based at Carlton Marshes, near Lowestoft. The working hours are 24 hours per week from April to October and 18 hours per week from November to March (both over four days a week), with a working pattern of Sunday to Wednesday (including weekends and bank holidays). Occasional evening work may be required to support activities and events and the starting salary is £13,333.60 per annum (FTE £23,810.00).
To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 9:00am on Monday 29 December 2025. The application process will include uploading a CV and optional cover letter.
Supporting Documents
Annual leave entitlement starts at 33 days per annum (including Bank Holidays), increasing annually to 38 days plus employees receive an extra day off for their birthday. We offer a 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required, free 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, free life insurance from day one of employment, free access to a private GP and discounts at high street retailers. Staff can also enjoy a 10% discount in our visitor centre cafes, including retail.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the importance of diversity in both nature and our workforce of staff and volunteers. We strive to ensure that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A Wilder Suffolk where nature is thriving and abundant because everyone is doing more to help”.
As an Assistant Warden you will be a key member of the Reserves Team supporting the Warden to deliver high-quality conservation management across a network of Suffolk Coast reserves, which include Church Farm Marshes, Reydon Wood, Hen Reedbeds, Dingle Marshes, Darsham Marshes, Winks Meadow and others as may be required.
The post holder will help implement habitat management plans, contribute to agri-environment schemes, carry out survey and monitoring work and ensure the welfare of Trust livestock, as well as maintaining machinery, vehicles, infrastructure and access so that reserves are safe, well cared for and managed in line with the Trust’s conservation objectives.
A central part of the role is working alongside and leading volunteers to achieve excellent on-the-ground conservation outcomes. You will plan, coordinate and supervise volunteer work parties, ensuring tasks are well organised, enjoyable and delivered safely, with all Health & Safety procedures followed. You will support volunteer recruitment and induction, build strong relationships with new and existing volunteers, and keep them informed, motivated and engaged so they feel valued and connected to the Trust’s work.
The Assistant Warden will be a practical, self-motivated person with a strong commitment to bringing nature back. You will have good conservation and habitat management knowledge, experience in a similar role (paid or voluntary) and be confident using tools and machinery, including chainsaws and brushcutters. You’ll be fit for physically demanding outdoor work in all weathers, well organised, a good team player, able to coordinate and motivate volunteers, confident with Microsoft 365 and hold a full driving licence.
This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved with a local wildlife trust and do amazing things for wildlife.
This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week (five out of seven days each week) based at Church Farm Marshes Nature Reserve (near Halesworth). The starting salary will be up to £26,459.00 per annum, depending on skills, knowledge and experience.
To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 9:00am on Tuesday 06 January 2026. The application process will include uploading a CV and optional cover letter. The interviews are planned for Monday 26 & Tuesday 27 January 2026 at Church Farm Marshes Nature Reserve.
Supporting Documents
Annual leave entitlement starts at 33 days per annum (including Bank Holidays), increasing annually to 38 days plus employees receive an extra day off for their birthday. We offer a 9% employer pension contribution with no employee contribution required, free 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, free life insurance from day one of employment, free access to a private GP and discounts at high street retailers. Staff can also enjoy a 10% discount in our visitor centre cafes, including retail.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the importance of diversity in both nature and our workforce of staff and volunteers. We strive to ensure that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A Wilder Suffolk where nature is thriving and abundant because everyone is doing more to help”.