Head of Conservation

**Job Description**:

- Job Alerts Link

**Job Title**:Head of Conservation

**Posting Start Date**:22/08/2025

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required have also been included. Workplace role categories describe our approach to workplace attendance

**Salary: £53,915 - £60,807 per annum inclusive of all allowances**
**Contractual Hours: 37 hours per week**
**Basis: Full-Time, Permanent**
**Workplace category: Workplace Based**
**Attachments**:Job Information Pack**

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**About Us**

The City of London Corporation manages 11,000 acres of land in and around London, welcoming millions of visitors annually. The North London Open Spaces (NLOS) section oversees c. 1,000 acres of that portfolio and includes some of the UK's most iconic urban greenspaces, including:

- Hampstead Heath (including Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Fields, and Heath Extension)
- Highgate Wood
- Queen’s Park
- West Ham Park

These beloved green spaces boast spectacular landscapes and vistas, ancient woodland, diverse wildlife, world class sporting and athletics facilities, and heritage assets. We work closely with local communities and stakeholders to preserve and enhance these natural assets, helping to make London one of the most liveable large cities in the world.

**About the Role**

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role at North London Open Spaces, and directly contribute to and make a meaningful impact in the conservation and protection of these cherished green spaces.

For the better performance of their duties, the Head of Conservation will be required to reside in accommodation that is provided on site and will be scheduled onto an on-call and duty manager rota with other colleagues.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Oversee the day-to-day management of Highgate Wood and most of Hampstead Heath
- Oversee arboriculture / tree management, waste management, conservation, habitat creation/restoration and management, wildlife management, water body management, and climate change adaptation across North London Open Spaces
- Lead and motivate a team of 25-30 multi-skilled professionals committed to the conservation of these four sites
- Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, including environmental protection, climate change, nature recovery, wildlife protection, flood risk management, and health and safety.

**About You**

We are looking for a high-energy and innovative leader with a strong background in nature conservation, open space management, and team leadership.
- Demonstrable experience in managing complex public open spaces.
- Comprehensive experience developing and delivering biodiversity and land management programmes and projects in a range of habitats, ideally within an urban setting.
- Significant experience managing complex conservation work and projects across varied landscapes
- Significant knowledge of biodiversity and wildlife management, including land and water management.
- Strong experience managing a diverse team of professionals in an operational environment.
- Experience of implementing legislation and policy relevant to biodiversity conservation, planning guidance, and site designation for wildlife conservation and species status designations.
- A highly creative, entrepreneurial and ‘can do’ approach to problem solving, with the ability to remain resilient in the face of challenges.
- Strong quantitative skills and comfort interrogating and analysing data and budgets.

**Why Join Us?**
- Opportunity to join a prestigious organisation that protects some of London’s most treasured landscapes.
- Lead through a high-impact role with the opportunity to shape the future of these iconic spaces.
- Work within a supportive and collaborative team that is committed to conservation and community engagement.
- Work across multiple iconic sites.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.

**How to Apply**

**If you are excited about the opportunity to play a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing London’s most cherished green spaces, we’d love to hear from you.**

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Provisional Interview dates: W/C 6th October & 13th October 2025

Closing date: 12 Noon on Monday 22nd September 2025

Alternatively, please contact 020 7332 3978 (24 hr answerphone) quoting reference number **OENV802**if you experience any difficulties. A minicom service for the hearing impaired is available on 020 7332 3732.
- For more information on our categories for workplace attendance, please view our guide _here_._
- We will be reviewing this policy and approach at regular intervals to ensure we’re meeting our attendance needs._