This is an exciting opportunity to take on a senior leadership role at Suffolk Wildlife Trust at a crucial point in our journey towards achieving our 2030 strategic goals. With an ambitious vision for “a wilder Suffolk”, the Head of Land Operations will play a vital role in ensuring the Trust’s reserve network is operationally strong, financially secure and well positioned for the future. This is a role with both strategic & practical importance, offering the chance to make a lasting contribution to the protection & recovery of Suffolk’s wildlife and habitats.

The role will lead on supporting the effective management of reserves across the county by providing high-quality operational land management support. This includes overseeing legal and land agency matters, maintaining systems and documentation relating to land holdings, ensuring agreements, licences and permits are in place and retaining oversight of key functions such as grazing, GIS and reserve-related income streams.

The post holder will ensure that the operational foundations of the reserve network are robust and well managed to deliver strong outcomes for wildlife while reducing risk and improving long-term resilience.

Alongside this, the Head of Land Operations will help future-proof the reserve network by leading on acquisitions and disposals, supporting the development of habitat banks, enabling restoration and habitat creation projects and identifying opportunities that strengthen the network over time. The role also contributes to strategic oversight across the reserves, helping staff understand their part in delivering the Trust’s wider goals, supporting collaboration across leadership teams and driving continuous improvement.

This role is a significant opportunity for someone who can combine operational leadership, strategic thinking and a strong commitment to nature recovery, helping us secure and strengthen our landholdings in support of a wilder Suffolk.

The post holder must have strong experience in land management, ideally with a good understanding of nature conservation practices, funding schemes and land agency matters such as acquisitions, disposals and leaseholds. You will need budget management experience, the ability to work effectively with partners, landowners and communities and a strong track record of working with teams to improve efficiency and secure funding. Strong people management, organisational, written and IT skills are also essential, along with a positive, adaptable approach, high levels of integrity & determination with a clear commitment to our mission, vision, culture and values.

Across the Suffolk county we manage over 50 nature reserves covering more than 2,900 hectares. Taken together, the reserve network includes a broad range of habitat types, including floodplain marsh, lowland fen, reedbed, open water, wet meadow, valley fen, lowland heath, grassland, ancient woodland, coppiced woodland, estuarine mudflats and saltmarsh. The sites vary considerably in scale and function, from large wetland complexes such as Carlton Marshes and Redgrave & Lopham Fen to smaller woods, commons and meadow sites that protect locally important assemblages & habitat fragments.

Explore our Nature Reserves Across Suffolk

This is a permanent, full-time position working 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm). We operate flexible homeworking arrangements where colleagues spend more time working together than homeworking. The base of work will be Brooke House and the starting salary will be up to £48,645.00 per annum depending on skills, knowledge and experience. 

To apply for this opportunity, please submit an application via our website by 9:00am on Friday 15 May 2026. The interviews are planned for week commencing 01 June 2026 at Brooke House in Ashbocking.

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.

We are committed to being an inclusive organisation where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we recognise the value of diversity both in nature and in our staff & volunteers. Suffolk Wildlife Trust is an organisation where everyone feels respected, valued & empowered to contribute, so that together we can deliver our vision, mission & strategic goals for a wilder Suffolk.