We are looking for a focused and strategic leader who shares our values, and will help build a movement of people taking action for wildlife while shaping a more inclusive future for Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

To present our new strategic plan – Our wild Sussex – We need people with bold, innovative ideas to help us achieve our ambitions for local wildlife and wild places.

We are committed to restoring and protecting at least 30% of Sussex’s land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people to take meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger, more inclusive and diverse organisation, and becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation.

We are looking for the best and most talented people to join our team and help us deliver this exciting and ambitious strategy. We are keen to hear from you even if you do not have all the skills and experience outlined in the job description but have the potential to grow into the role.

So, if you are someone who is determined to see a Sussex rich in wildlife and has the drive, energy and commitment to our values ​​of innovation, passion, collaboration and inclusion, why not apply now to join our fantastic team, working together to deliver Our Wild Sussex.

We are relocating our office from the Woods Mill offices to a new office in Brighton, BN1 9BP.

In order to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the environmental sector, we particularly welcome applications from people who have an ethnically or geographically diverse background, who are non-graduates and/or live in economically deprived areas.

The role

Sussex Wildlife Trust is looking for a Strategic Leader to join our senior leadership team as Communities Manager (Maternity Cover). This vital role will shape and deliver on our ambition to connect people with nature, inspire action and build a wildlife movement across Sussex. You will lead a dynamic Directorate responsible for community engagement, education, volunteering and individual work – ensuring that our work is inclusive, impactful and aligned with our organizational goals.

As Director, you will provide strategic oversight of the work of our communities, contribute to leadership across organizations, and ensure effective collaboration with partners, funders and stakeholders. You will be responsible for delivering strategic and organizational key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring progress is effectively monitored, assessed and reported. Key responsibility is to lead our journey to become a more inclusive and diverse organization by 2030. You will support our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy, which includes inclusive practices across programmes, partnerships and internal culture. This is a rare opportunity to create meaningful change at the intersection of nature, people, and equity.

The person

You are a focused and experienced leader with a proven track record of strategic leadership, program development and cross-sector collaboration. You understand how to engage diverse communities, promote inclusive participation, and create opportunities for people to take meaningful action for nature.

You will be a driving force behind our work on electronic data interchange – bringing clarity, courage and empathy to this vital agenda. Whether through life experience, professional expertise, or personal conviction, you are passionate about making nature accessible to everyone. You are confident in overcoming complex challenges, influencing change, and leading with integrity.

You live and lead by our values ​​– collaborative, passionate, innovative and inclusive – and bring them to life in your work with colleagues, communities and partners. If you believe in the power of people to restore nature and want to help shape a more inclusive future for Sussex Wildlife Trust, we would like to hear from you.

benefits

• 25 days vacation plus 8 public holidays each year (prorated for part-time employees)
• Pensions – 6% company contribution and 3% employee contribution
• Life Insurance – Pension Scheme members 2 x salary, Non-Pension Scheme members 1 x salary
• Two days paid leave for volunteer work each year
• Flexible work policy
• Enhancing sick pay
• EAP
• Employee discounts
• Informal car sharing arrangements

We will review applications periodically and may close the vacancy early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.