Natural Environment Manager

Herefordshire Council

Job Title: Natural Environment Manager

Hours: 37

Salary: HC10 £ 46,142 to £50,269 per annum (plus £6,000 Market Forces Supplement per year £52,142 to £56,269)

Contract: Permanent

Location: Hereford

Closing date: 23/08/2026

Herefordshire Council are seeking a dynamic and experienced manager for the Natural Environment team.

Leading a multi-award winning team (LGC Environment 2024 and RTPI Excellence award in 2024) you’ll be the Council’s technical lead on ecology, biodiversity net gain, landscape, trees, open space and nature recovery.

• Manage a team of specialists delivering biodiversity and ecological services.
• Lead the implementation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
• Provide expert advice to planning and development teams.
• Oversee the Herefordshire Biological Records Service and Tree Preservation Orders.
• Develop and deliver innovative projects including habitat restoration and species protection.
• Represent the Council in regional and national forums, appeals, and media enquiries.
• Manage budgets and funding bids to support environmental priorities.
• Promote community engagement through volunteering and citizen science.
• Support the Nutrient Management Plan for the River Wye and River Lugg

You’ll be a confident and collaborative leader with:

• A strategic mindset with the ability to deliver complex environmental programmes.
• Significant experience in one or more of the following; ecology, biodiversity net gain, landscape, trees, open space and nature recovery.
• Significant experience of the UK planning systems.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and project management skills.
• A full driving licence and willingness to undertake site visits.
• A degree in ecology, environmental science, or a related field.
• Salary range of £46,142 - £50,269 (HC 10)
• Market Forces Supplement £6,000 per annum
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Career progression: clear pathways to progress
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period
• Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Herefordshire is big hearted, welcoming and friendly. We have strong and independent communities and idyllic countryside, situated in the South West Midlands and bordering Wales. The county sits between Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to the east, and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons) in Wales to the west.

Historically Herefordshire has been the gateway to the Marches. We embrace partnership working. We are a member of the Marches Forward Partnership, which is a cross border collaboration between Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Shropshire who are collectively working to secure funding to invest in the region.

The council priorities over the next four years are set out in the Council Plan, with four main areas;

We will enable residents to realise their potential, to be healthy and to be part of great communities who support each other. We want all children to have the best start in life.

We will protect and enhance our environment and ensure that Herefordshire is a great place to live. We will support the right housing in the right place, we will support access to green spaces and we will do everything we can to recover the health of our rivers.

We will create the conditions to deliver sustainable growth across the county; attracting inward investment, building business confidence, creating jobs, enabling housing development along with providing the right infrastructure.

We will be an efficient council that embraces best practice, delivers innovation through technology and demonstrates value for money.

Herefordshire Council is committed to…