Do you want to be part of the nature restoration revolution? We need to act now to enable change and save Surrey’s nature.
Surrey is a bio-diverse county full of exciting habitats - lowland heathland, calcareous grassland, woodland and wetlands – all abundant with wildlife but under pressure. We are working hard to make a difference, to re-connect the landscape using:
1. an evidence-based approach
2. forward-thinking practical habitat management
3. species reintroductions
4. partnership working
5. community engagement
6. nature-based solutions
This is a new way of working – not just conserving, we are restoring by rethinking with ambition to achieve.
We need a Conservation Manager who thinks like we do to lead a team of Reserve Officers, to help deliver nature restoration on over 60 nature reserves (c.5,000ha) across the county, many of which have international conservation designations. The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking individual with practical experience, project and budget management skills and able to use logical thinking and imagination to expand and explore alternative approaches to nature restoration in Surrey.
The role requires the candidate to have a background in ecology and habitat management with experience of a variety of habitats. They must be passionate about, and skilled in, nature restoration and able to motivate and support a team of Reserves Officers, prioritising effectively to swiftly changing demands and complex issues.
You must have previous experience of successfully working within the environmental sector matched with an out-going, personable and friendly approach, and the ability to work with a wide range of people.
SWT are looking to lead the way in Surrey to create functioning ecosystems, at scale, that provide resilience, biodiversity and increase bio-abundance for the benefit not only of nature but people too. This will require innovative and creative thinking as we move from nature conservation to nature restoration so someone with the energy to lead on this and support the team to turn this vision to reality is essential.
If you believe you have the experience for the role and are able to fulfil the criteria outlined in the job profile, please complete an application form, or provide a covering letter and CV, and send it to by 19thMarch 2026. Interviews will be held at Pond Farm on 31st March and/or 1st April.
The job profile and application form are available below.