Head of Conservation and Recreation

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Do you enjoy working with people and nature? Are you passionate about conserving the environment and creating a high-value visitor experience?

This new role will play an important part in bringing together our conservation, fisheries and recreational teams for the first time.
What you'll do

As a company, we pride ourselves on our beautiful sites where we provide visitors access to activities such as walking, fishing and bird watching. These sites are managed to facilitate access and information for a wide range of visitors.

We are proud of the biodiversity value of our estate and continually look for ways to manage these sites to improve their conservation value and interest. This role brings these opportunities together providing high-value conservation and publicly accessible sites across our region for all to enjoy.

In this role, you will lead the development of a new Conservation and Recreation strategy and deliver our statutory conservation, access and recreation functions.

The Head of Conservation and Recreation will be responsible for the safe access and enjoyment of these sites and working with a wide range of stakeholders to balance requirements, activities and interests. This is a growing team looking for an inspirational leader to develop this area and all team members right across our region. The portfolio of sites will also increase with new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements enabling the development of new conservation sites and nature reserves in the future.

This role will be based within our head office in Bath but will see you travel across our region, regularly meeting with external partners and delivery teams. It is well suited to hybrid working from Wessex Water offices, partner locations and home.
What you'll need

Ideally, you will demonstrate the following knowledge, experience and competencies:

• an interest in conservation and/or public access supported by either a degree, vocational or competency-based qualification
• 8 to 10 years experience in this field
• a keen advocate of conservation management and communication
• facilitating public access and enjoyment at different sites in a safe and responsible way
• excellent communication skills working with local interest groups, national experts and colleagues of all levels within Wessex Water
• experience in budgeting, contract management and procurement
• an inspirational team leader.

What you'll receive

• Total pension contributions up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to buy up to 10 days' holiday and sell up to five every year.
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• A new electric car in exchange for part of your gross salary.
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• An interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone to work for us.

Who we are

We are one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West.

The work we do goes beyond providing an essential public service. We also aim to have a positive impact on the communities we serve and the natural environment.

Our people tell us Wessex Water is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have the opportunity to develop and progress your career, while also receiving health and wellbeing support.

We also continue to promote diversity and inclusion - with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join us and if you would like to be part of our journey, we would love to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any additional support you may need.