Programme Lead (Management and Development)

Would you like to join a friendly, flexible and knowledgeable team making a difference to one of England’s most distinctive protected landscapes and the people connected to it? Our work is varied and outward-looking with scope to shape new ideas and approaches that deliver lasting impact.

The High Weald National Landscape Partnership brings people together to conserve and enhance a special landscape while addressing ecological, social and economic challenges facing it.

This is a new and influential senior role, offering the opportunity to shape and lead a diverse programme of work that delivers the ambitions of the High Weald Management Plan.

You will: lead a portfolio of programmes and projects, ensuring effective delivery and continuous improvement; work with partners, communities and land managers to turn ideas into action; develop and grow a strong pipeline of projects, from local initiatives to large-scale strategic programmes; and build momentum, overcome barriers and drive meaningful change.

In return, you’ll join an ambitious and supportive protected landscape sector with the opportunity to influence practice, foster innovation and deliver tangible outcomes.

We’re looking for someone who combines strong programme leadership with a passion for people and place. You will be:

• Skilled in programme and project management, with the ability to manage complexity and navigate competing priorities
• Confident in bringing together diverse stakeholders and enabling co-design
• Collaborative and able to help others shape and deliver projects
• Able to secure and manage resources effectively

If you enjoy working with people, have strong management and development skills and are keen to facilitate action that achieves a beautiful, thriving landscape that all people feel part of, then this is the role for you.

Please download the job description and person specification for more information.

We welcome applications for full-time or part-time working (minimum 22.2 hours per week) and will consider a term-time working pattern.

You’ll benefit from hybrid working, combining remote working with time in our modern offices at Flimwell, on the Kent/East Sussex border. You will need to be able to travel around the High Weald National Landscape which covers parts of Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Surrey.

East Sussex County Council, as the Partnership’s host authority, employs our team.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page and our statement on the use of AI.

Interviews will take place in person at our offices (see above). They are scheduled for Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 July. If you are unavailable on these dates let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you.

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See our priority status page for details.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

This is an exciting time to join our team, as protected landscapes play an increasing role in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and community wellbeing.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Gerry Sherwin, Business Manager at [email protected] to request a MS teams call or phone call.

For work that makes a difference, choose the High Weald of East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent and Surrey!

Additional Information

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.