Site Manager
Job in
Newtownards, County Down, BT22, Northern Ireland, UK
Listed on 2026-10-02
Listing for:
Webrecruit Ireland
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-10-02
Job specializations:
-
Management
General Management, Project & Program Management, Hotel Management
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Location:
Castle Espie Salary:£50,064 per annum Status:
Permanent About
The Role We are looking for an outstanding Site Manager to lead the next chapter for WWT Castle Espie, our incredible wetland reserve on the shores of Strangford Lough. This is a rare opportunity to lead a site where conservation, people and place come together. Castle Espie encompasses 26 hectares of diverse wetland and coastal habitats, and WWT also manages around 400 hectares of foreshore on Strangford Lough on behalf of the Crown Estate.
The Lough supports internationally important numbers of Light-bellied Brent geese as well as many other important species. As Site Manager, you will have overall responsibility for Castle Espie, leading its team of staff and volunteers and delivering against our conservation, financial and visitor objectives. You will take an active and practical lead in maximising the wildlife and habitat potential of both the reserve and the areas of Strangford Lough in WWTs care.
It is a role for someone who is equally comfortable out on the reserve discussing habitat management, leading and developing a team, reviewing budgets and performance or making sure visitors receive a warm welcome and leave with a stronger connection to wetlands. Castle Espie is entering an important new chapter, with a refreshed focus on its role as a hub for wetland nature conservation on Strangford Lough.
You will have the opportunity to help bring that proposition to life, strengthening the connection between the site, the Lough and the extraordinary wildlife that benefit from it. This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, five days out of seven. About You We are looking for an experienced manager and inspiring leader who combines strong conservation knowledge with the confidence and judgement needed to run a complex operational site.
You will have substantial practical experience of managing land for conservation and of developing and implementing conservation management plans. Just as importantly, you will be an effective people and operational manager. You will have experience of leading and developing staff, managing budgets and balancing competing priorities. Ideally, you will have gained this experience within a visitor-facing environment. You'll enjoy being a visible leader and be comfortable getting involved in the practical realities of running the site.
Above all, you will recognise the potential of this very special place and be excited by the opportunity to help Castle Espie become an even stronger centre for wetland conservation and a gateway to the wildlife and landscapes of Strangford Lough. Essential criteria
You will have:
- A degree or equivalent level of education.
- Demonstrable experience of managing significant areas of land to achieve conservation objectives
- Experience of developing and implementing conservation management plans and associated work programmes
- Proven general management experience, ideally within a visitor centre, nature reserve or attraction.
- Proven experience of managing significant budgets across multiple departments.
- Strong leadership and people-management skills, including recruitment, development, motivation and performance management.
- The ability to balance conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities.
- Confidence communicating and developing relationships with visitors, communities, partners and statutory organisations.
- Relevant practical qualifications in spraying, brush-cutting and tractor operation, or the willingness to obtain these qualifications in the first three months after appointment. About Us Were WWT, and were on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. Theres never been a more important moment for our work, and weve got some phenomenal people on the case. Whether theyre taking a new visitor under their wing or conducting groundbreaking research further afield, our team are second to none.
And theres nothing we love more than watching them soar. Whatever you do here, youll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play? Why youll love working at WWT
- Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands and our world
- Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people - 33 days' annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) this includes bank holidays, and you have flexibility to…
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