Would you like to have a leading role in managing woodland creation projects across North and West Yorkshire? The White Rose Forest is recruiting for a Project Manager to support our Landscapes for Water delivery programme.
It is an exciting time to work for the White Rose Forest (WRF), the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire. From planting trees to improve natural flood management in key catchments to improving access to green spaces for local communities, our role and that of our wider England’s Community Forests network has never been more important.
The WRF is the largest Community Forest in England and was this year voted Community Forest of the Year, in recognition of our leading role within the network. At our heart we are a partnership, working closely with local, regional and national Government, as well as our National Parks, local businesses, environmental charities and community organisations. 2025 is an important year for the WRF as we set out our ambitious plans and targets for woodland establishment and management in North and West Yorkshire over the next 25 years.
To help us achieve these targets we are now recruiting a White Rose Forest Project Manager to join the WRF Core Team. Under the line management of the WRF Programme Manager, the successful applicant will manage a case load of complex tree planting schemes along the WRF Delivery Pathway and ensure that every project receives the support it needs, to a high standard and on time, to take it from an expression of interest to planting and establishment. The WRF Project Manager will have line management responsibilities within the WRF delivery team and work extensively with our wider partners to develop and deliver strategic tree planting schemes.
This post is offered as a fixed term contract to 30 September 2026, with the expectation to extend subject to Defra funding, and will be employed by Kirklees Council on behalf of the White Rose Forest. Kirklees Council is the accountable body for the WRF partnership with primary responsibility for members of the Core Team, project coordination and financial management.
The successful candidate will be joining an experienced and enthusiastic team who are passionate about the future of our trees and natural environment here in Yorkshire. The WRF Core Team all work from home and travel independently to meetings and site visits across North and West Yorkshire on a regular basis. A full driving licence and vehicle will therefore be essential for this role.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate previous experience in a similar role, including experience of pro-actively working with a wide range of stakeholders and landowners, and technical experience with geographical information systems (GIS) and other data management software.
Please read the full Project Officer - White Rose Forest focus sheet before applying.
To apply for the post, please follow this link: https://kirklees.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/mobile-0/appcentre-1/brand-4/user-899/xf-cc39498762fa/wid-2/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/4/opp/14431-White-Rose-Forest-Landscapes-for-Water-Project-Manager/en-GB
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community. Benefits for this role include 28 days holiday (plus bank holidays), flexible working and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 9th February 2025 and interviews will be held online w/c 17th February.
Iwan Downey is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.
We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities. So, if you need any support completing an application form, or any other format for the application or Job Description please contact the Recruitment Team for help by email: jobs@kirklees.gov.uk or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
If you are internal and want to apply for this job as a secondment you must be a substantive employee of the Council with over 6 months continuous service and have successfully completed your probation period.
Applications for secondments will only be accepted if approved by your manager, you will be asked to confirm on your application form that you have the relevant permission. If you are refused permission to apply for a secondment, please contact HR Recruitment to register the refusal.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.
