About The Southern Uplands Partnership
The Southern Uplands Partnership is a rural sustainable development charity, dedicated to connecting, protecting and creating opportunities for thriving nature and community in the south of Scotland.
We deliver diverse projects and programmes around three strategic themes:
* Community Empowerment - strengthening rural communities
* Land Access - increasing sustainable access to the Southern Uplands for people and nature
* Land Use - facilitating sustainable land use and land-based opportunities for people and nature
We recently celebrated our 25th anniversary and a successful track record of innovative partnership work at all levels, from the hyper-local and practical, to influencing policy and strategy. We take a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together specialists in biodiversity, culture, climate and community development, to deliver holistic, integrated programmes.
Role Summary
This is a new post, which presents an exciting opportunity to help lead and shape our future work on land use and biodiversity in South Scotland. This is a good time to join us, as we embark on delivery of our new strategy, develop our business plans, work on a re-brand and continue to refine who we are, what we do and how we evidence our impact.
We are ambitious to develop new landscape-scale partnerships and plans, working with landowners, land managers and communities to bring about meaningful improvements for people and nature. There is potential to play a leading role in Local Biodiversity Action Plans, Forest and Woodland Strategies and re-establishment of Biodiversity Partnerships in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, as well as shape a programme of Nature Connection activity in communities. We are also keen to better integrate our work internally, supporting all our programme teams with consistent and coherent approaches to people and nature.
We are seeking an experienced, proactive, motivated and flexible senior manager with a background in Ecology, Environmental Management, land management or a related discipline. This expertise will complement the community development, social enterprise and creative expertise within our Senior Management Team and is key to ensuring our future work is truly integrated across the “three-legged stool” of sustainability: people, economy and nature.
Reporting to the Chief Executive and working as part of the Senior Management Team, the postholder will develop and lead a small, dedicated team and manage a portfolio of current projects and programmes, including business and service development for The South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC), the local Environmental Records Centre for Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire, which SUP incorporates. The postholder will also support development of the Environmental Alliance of the South of Scotland, working to connect the sector regionally around land use and biodiversity, contributing to the Regional Land Use Partnership and influencing local and national policy.
There is significant scope to proactively seek out and develop new opportunities, including with communities, landowners and land managers, as well as relevant tenders and commissions for public sector bodies, other NGOs and communities. For example, through our trading subsidiary Southern Uplands Partnership Services Ltd, we are currently completing a State of Nature report for the South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership.
Terms and Conditions
Salary: £42,436 (FTE). 3% annual inflationary increases are normally awarded, subject to availability of funds.
Contract Duration : Permanent, subject to funding and satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
Contract Hours : Full or part-time. Our preference is for full-time (35 hours/week) but consideration will be given to requests for part-time options.
Pension: We offer an 8% employer pension contribution, linked to a minimum 5% (4% with tax relief) employee contribution.
Annual Leave : The annual entitlement is 40 days, including 4 mandatory public holidays.
Location: Hybrid – home working and Southern Uplands Partnership offices, with regular travel across the South of Scotland. The place of work will be one of:
· Studio 1, Lindean Mill, Galashiels, TD1 3PE or
· Studio 1, Hillend Mill, Kirkgunzeon, Dumfries, DG2 8LA
There is a requirement to work in person at an office 1-2 days per week, combined with regular travel to other locations for in-person meetings.
Overnight stays may be required, for which expenses can be claimed. There is flexibility around home-working or hotdesking at partner sites at other times.
It is anticipated the successful candidate will live in the Scottish Borders or Dumfries and Galloway or be willing to relocate.
Essential Car Use : The rural location and poor public transport links associated with the area necessitate essential car use in the postholder’s own vehicle. Mileage will be reimbursed at a rate of (currently) 0.45p per mile.
Flexible Working : SUP operates flexible working hours, meaning that days and hours of work are flexible, providing that they meet the needs of the post and the organisation, comply with Working Time legislation, and are agreed in advance. Standard working hours are Monday – Friday, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm. Some evening and weekend working will be required, for which time off in lieu may be taken by agreement.
Principal Duties (summarised: please download the job pack for full details
1. Operational Management and Development
Overall objective: Bring fresh approaches, new skills and expertise to SUP to support existing and new projects to deliver for people and nature.
2. Communications and Relationship Management
Overall objective: Develop and maintain excellent working relationships and act as an ambassador for SUP values.
3. People Management and Development
Overall objective: Support highly motivated, valued and high performing staff, within a positive, collaborative team culture.
4. Resource Management and Development
Overall objective: Horizon-scan, scope new projects and ensure high quality delivery of existing and new projects within budget.
Person Specification
We realise that not everyone will meet all these criteria from the outset. We welcome applications from people with potential and commitment to develop their knowledge, skills and experience over time, and with appropriate support provided.
Essential
* Degree level qualification in an environmental, ecology or land management subject and commitment to continuing professional development.
* Knowledge of ecosystem services and natural capital approaches.
* Understanding of environmental legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice in a rural context.
* Experience of landscape-scale projects and plans.
* Successful track record in developing tenders and funding bids, pricing work, and identifying new opportunities.
* Strong project and people management experience, including performance management, financial oversight and reporting.
* Strong planning, prioritisation and organisation skills, including delivery of own projects and activities to time, and oversight of delivery of others.
* Track record of successful partnership-working with land managers, public agencies, businesses and/or community groups.
* Great interpersonal communication, relationship building, engagement, and collaborative working skills with diverse partners, stakeholders, and colleagues. Proven ability to lead, inspire, and support a team, including sub-contractors and junior staff.
* Strong analytical and evaluative thinking skills and ability to take evidence-led approaches to influencing policy and practice.
* Excellent written communication skills, including detailed reports and tender / funding bids.
* Confident and competent IT user with good knowledge of Microsoft Office 365.
* Flexible approach to work duties, comfortable working with uncertainty and change; self-motivated self-starter, who works well independently and as part of a team.
* Commitment to the aims and objectives of SUP, including equality, diversity and inclusion.
* Driving license and access to a vehicle.
* Right to work in the UK.
Desirable
* Full membership (or eligibility for membership) of CIEEM.
* Experience producing, reviewing, and quality-assuring ecological surveys, reports and/or assessments.
* Experience in environmental research and/or policy development.
* An understanding of current challenges and opportunities for people and nature in rural South Scotland, including environmental, economic, social and cultural issues.
* Experience of and/or ability to work with biological and spatial data.
* Knowledge of farming and/or forestry management practice and policy.
Application Process
We welcome enquiries and/or an informal discussion of the role with Cara Gillespie (Chief Executive) in advance of applying. Please contact recruitment@sup.org.uk to arrange this.
To apply, please provide:
• A current CV, and
• A covering letter, indicating your reasons for applying and outlining how your knowledge, skills and experience relate to the Person Specification.
We are able to accept applications in alternative formats. If you have any form of access needs, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your requirements.
Closing Date:
Please submit by email to recruitment@sup.org.uk by 10 am on Monday 2nd March 2026.
First stage Interviews (online): Tuesday 10th March 2026
Second stage Interviews (in person): Tuesday 24th March 2026
Start date: 4th May 2026 (desired)