Head of Forestry Management - South of England

Head of Forestry Management - South of England

Location: Exeter (with regional travel)

Overview

We are working with a well-established forestry and land management business that is seeking an experienced Forestry Management Lead to oversee operations across the South of England, based from an Exeter office.

This is a senior, hands-on role offering the opportunity to lead a forestry management team, manage a substantial portfolio of woodland assets, and play a key role in developing and expanding private and institutional client relationships. The successful candidate will combine strong technical forestry expertise with commercial awareness and people-focused leadership.

The Role

You will be responsible for the end-to-end management of a diverse portfolio of forest properties, ensuring forestry operations are delivered efficiently, profitably, and in line with client objectives. The role requires regular client engagement and close collaboration with contractors and internal teams to maintain high professional standards and a positive working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the management of forestry assets across the South of England, delivering annual work programmes on time and within budget
• Act as a key point of contact for private and institutional clients, building long-term relationships and supporting business growth
• Ensure all forestry operations comply with Health & Safety legislation, the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), and the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS)
• Oversee project finances, including budgeting, cost control, and timely invoicing
• Manage staff, contractors, and resources to ensure efficient and safe delivery of forestry operations
• Ensure company procedures, reporting requirements, and service standards are consistently met

Candidate Requirements

• A forestry degree or equivalent qualification is preferred
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a comparable forestry management role
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team structure
• Strong IT and digital skills, with confidence using forestry and management systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Sound commercial awareness with experience managing project finances

Essential Criteria

• Ability to work outdoors in forested environments for extended periods, including traversing uneven terrain
• Capability to manage workloads autonomously and meet deadlines
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regionally

The Ideal Candidate

This role would suit an experienced forestry manager who embraces modern, digital approaches to land and woodland management. You will be proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working flexible hours to meet the demands of varied projects and locations.

Strong people skills are essential - the successful candidate will understand the operational pressures faced by staff, contractors, and clients, while maintaining a balanced, professional, and commercially focused approach.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• 25 days' annual leave plus 9 public holidays
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Company vehicle with reasonable private-use allowance
• Life insurance

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