Head of Recreation
| Posting date: | 29 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,252 to £50,927 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 May 2025 |
| Location: | SO43 7NH |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 403208/1 |
Summary
As Head of Recreation, you will lead the strategic management and future growth of our recreation business and partnership, to meet the needs of our customers, based on a sustainable financial base. You will be a member of the District Senior Management Team, lead by example and report to the Forest Management Director, leading the districts recreation team in support of our mission and vision.
Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.
Where you’ll work…
We are Forestry England. We are the country’s largest land manager, caring for the nation’s forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world-class sustainable management of the nation’s forests.
Our South England Forest District team is made up of around 170 people with a diverse range of roles - from foresters and wildlife rangers to civil engineers, and ecologists to marketing professionals. We all contribute towards the management of 46,000 hectares of public forest estate that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight. Nearly all of our forests are within either a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of this forest is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. South England Forest District is therefore responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (for habitats), Special Protection Areas (for birds) and Ramsar sites (for wetlands). We also provide public access and recreation in our forests, with nearly 50 million visits every year to South England Forest District. If the post you are applying for is PB5 or above, you will be asked to join the District duty roster, after a suitable period of time.
Leadership & People Management
Leadership
•strategic one team, cross functional vision and approach
•senior management team member
•lead by example – Forestry England values and health and safety champion
•act as coach, mentor, leader, professional, with a delivery focus
Team and line management
•ensure business plan objectives are reflected in team and individual plans
•team skills development and personal / team performance continuous improvement
•line manages 6 Recreation Managers and a team of 45 people
•deliver in line with policies and procedures including HR
•build and maintain good team morale
Good working relationships
•with district marketing and communications colleagues
•with national colleagues and wider Forestry Commission
•with business partners, customers, stakeholders and the public
Delivery & Business Plan Monitoring
•business and performance monitoring
•monthly commentary
•review, respond and adapt
•compliance monitoring
Recreation Core Activity
•Moors Valley Country Park and Alice Holt Forest Park
•New Forest recreation
•wider beats including ‘tier 2’ recreation sites
•community engagement, volunteers and education / learning
•business as usual delivery oversight & support
•unauthorised trails risk management
•recreation improvement projects
•cross functional work with a recreation element
•develop and implement new and innovative approaches to deliver public benefits and income
Recreation Projects
•support the New Forest Car Parking project
•work with colleagues on New Forest Campsite and other overnight stay projects
•support the national Visitor Centre optimisation project.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme