Woodland Management Lead

Join us growing a greener future

Western Forest – part of England’s National Forest network and hosted by the Forest of Avon Trust – is driving an ambitious mission to restore nature, improve wellbeing, and create a climate-resilient landscape across the West of England. We’re expanding our team and looking for a Woodland Management Lead to help shape the future of our region’s trees and woodlands. If you’re passionate about woodland resilience, biodiversity, and supporting landowners to manage woodlands sustainably, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

About the Role

As our Woodland Management Lead, you will lead the delivery of woodland management across the Western Forest, helping us bring 1,500 hectares of woodland into active, sustainable management. This is a varied and rewarding role combining project management, technical forestry expertise, grant scheme development, and stakeholder engagement. You’ll work closely with landowners, forestry agents, farmers, community groups, and partner organisations to enhance woodlands for ecological, economic, and social benefit.

Location

Bristol based with regular travel across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire & the West of England

Key Responsibilities include

Leading woodland management projects, from planning to on-the-ground delivery
Providing trusted technical advice on forestry and woodland management
Preparing Forestry Commission Woodland Management Plans
Developing and managing a woodland management grant scheme
Engaging with landowners, farmers and stakeholders to promote best practice
Delivering workshops to build skills and confidence in woodland management

About You

We’re looking for someone who combines forestry expertise with strong project management and communication skills. You’ll thrive when coordinating multiple partners and enjoy supporting others to improve woodland health and resilience.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We believe a diverse team creates stronger, more resilient outcomes. We warmly welcome applications from under‑represented groups in forestry and the environmental sector, including people from minority ethnic backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those from lower socio‑economic backgrounds.

We operate a blind shortlisting process to ensure fairness and focus on your skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

How to Apply

If you’re excited about helping shape the future of woodlands across the West of England, we’d love to hear from you. Please review the job description which can be found here.

Please complete the application form here:

DEADLINE: Sunday 1 March at 23.59

Any questions or if you’d like to have an informal discussion before applying, please email Jack McCrickard, Woodland and Nature Recovery Manager at info@westernforest.org.uk

Intended interviews during week commencing Monday 9 March 2026

We will inform all applicants of the outcome of your application but we may not be able
to provide individual feedback to all applicants.