Head of Land Use Planning

Job Description

Head of Land Use PlanningLocation: Flexible with home workingSalary: up to £48,000Benefits: Private medical insurance, staff Electric vehicle scheme, generous pension and annual leave entitlementFull time - 35 Hours per weekPermanent contractClosing Date for Applications: 18 FebruaryFirst Interview: 27/28 FebruarySecond Interview: 4 MarchAre you looking for an exciting new opportunity and the chance to work at one of the UK’s best-loved nature charities We are looking for someone with the drive, and experience of high-level advocacy and facilitation skills to lead generating and implementingappropriate policies that will drive change. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative, capable, and passionate leader who understands both nature and people. You will need to be able to inspire politicians, funders, the media, developers and communities.As Head of Land Use Planning, you will lead the delivery of the movements’ ambitious response to the current climate and nature crisis.Who we areThe Wildlife Trusts are a federated movement of 46 charities, supported by a central charity, the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Together we have 900,000 members, 32,500 volunteers and 3,400 staff across the UK. We are at an exciting moment in our 110-yearhistory, with the development of an ambitious new strategy, setting out a vision for nature in recovery, with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes, creating wilder landscapes where people and nature thrive.Wildlife Trusts have restored and care for some of the most special places for wildlife in the UK. Collectively we manage more than 2,300 nature reserves, operate 123 visitor and educationcentresand own 29 working farms.We undertake research, we standup for wildlife and wild places under threat, and we help people access nature.The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this willrequire big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities.What we are trying to achieveThe twin crises of nature and climate emergencies have forced the Wildlife Trusts to rethink their role. Collectively, we have set out the new and ambitious Strategy 2030. Goal 1 of that strategy is to get nature into recovery with the Wildlife Trusts providingthe leadership required to achieve 30 by 30: 30% of seas and land in nature’s recovery by 2030.Nature’s recovery rests on five critical interventions: (1) the development of a nature recovery network; (2) creating landscape recovery areas at a scale where natural processes can operate to drive up species abundance; (3) regenerative agriculture; (4)green infrastructure threading through our towns, cities and countryside and, (5) at sea, an effective network of highly protected marine areas.About youYou will need to enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, be organised and resourceful, have great attention to written detail as well as confidence in public speaking. We need these skills to come through in your clear passion for our cause. You willbe part of a tight and dedicated central policy team. You will need to have excellent collaboration and facilitation skills and always strive to ensure that everyone can come together effectively across the movement of The Wildlife Trusts to achieve our newand exciting vision.We are interested in someone who is able to demonstrate experience of working with political adversaries and has no fear of engaging in robust discussions on the future of environmental law and a reverse in the destruction of our biodiversity,We need someone who has knowledge of the Planning system in England and some experience of judicial review process.We are particularly interested in someone who has experience of working with the House of Lords, backbenchers, and the shadow front bench.The Wildlife Trusts value passion, respect, trust, integrity, pragmatic activism and strength in diversity. Whilst we are passionate in promoting our aims, we are not judgmental and are inclusive. We particularly encourage applications from people who areunderrepresented within our sector, including people from minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities.RSWT take our safeguarding responsibilities extremely seriously. Please click here to read our commitment statement.The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. For applicable roles, applicants must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and Disclosure and Barring Service checks atthe eligible level.As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.