Head of Recreation and Visitor Experience
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 14 Ebrill 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | £48,765 i £52,557 bob blwyddyn |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 03 Mai 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | NE48 2HP |
| Cwmni: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 457113/2 |
Crynodeb
As Head of Recreation and Visitor Experience, you will lead the Recreation and Communications function across the North of England, working collaboratively with colleagues across all teams and disciplines to help deliver the Forest District Business Plan and contribute to our national strategy, Growing the Future.
You will champion the development of high quality, engaging visitor experiences across the nation’s forests, ensuring programmes are delivered efficiently, safely, and to a consistently high standard. You will promote innovation, strengthen our health and safety culture, and drive commercial performance—delivering significant income to the district while seeking continual improvements in operational efficiency. You will also provide leadership for communications and stakeholder engagement across the district, ensuring this supports our teams to advance our objectives.
Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.
Where you’ll work...
North England Forest District is the largest in England, covering some 86,000ha, made up of 61,000 ha of forest and 25,000ha of open land in Cumbria, Durham, Gateshead, Lancashire and Northumberland. The District is managed by a multi-disciplinary team of more than 140 staff.
The forest area is currently 90% conifer and 10% broadleaf. Annual timber production is in the region of 550,000m3. The district has 45 SSSIs covering over 10,000ha and is a major contributor to nationally significant biodiversity projects which help support red squirrels, water voles, ospreys and red kites. Our built and agricultural non-woodland estate is extensive and we are engaged in a programme of business development and conservation initiatives.
The recreation experiences we provide are focussed on our five Forest Centres: Grizedale, Gisburn, Hamsterley, Kielder and Whinlatter. Around 1 million people enjoy these forests collectively each year, many staying overnight in the region. The outlying forests of Chopwell Wood, Ennerdale and the Forests of Rothbury are increasingly popular with local visits; enhancing the health and wellbeing of our local communities.
The recreation and communications function includes around 40 staff and 650 volunteers. Within this, the marketing and communications team promotes recreation income growth and supports storytelling, reputation management, and strategic communications across the North of England.
Key responsibilities & accountabilities
Leadership
• Provide a clear sense of direction and accountability for the Recreation and Communications team.
• Inspire, support, and develop staff to deliver high-quality results aligned with district and organisational objectives, and our values.
• Build a positive, inclusive team culture; encourage cross-functional collaboration, and engagement with national teams. Play an active role within the district senior leadership team.
• Ensure all operations comply with organisational guidance, with a focus on safe working practices and facilities for staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.
• Embed continuous improvement, ensuring learning, development, and knowledge-sharing across district and national teams and site partners.
• Ensure agreed plans are delivered effectively through the wider team.
Business Development
• Shape and evolve the district’s recreation and communications strategy, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
• Lead district teams to manage resources efficiently and deliver operational plans and services.
• Own and maintain the recreation and communications team business plan and investment pipeline.
• Build, monitor, forecast, and report budgets accurately throughout the year, taking necessary action to ensure we meet or exceed targets.
• Understand and respond to existing and emerging markets, using insight and understanding of audience to strengthen product development, marketing, commerciality and visitor engagement.
Communications
• Clearly communicate strategy and the value of Forestry England’s work to staff, volunteers, visitors, partners and stakeholders, representing at local and national forums.
• Build positive, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders across all recreation, communications, and district interests.
• Lead the District communications function and provide advice to other teams on stakeholder engagement and strategic communications matters.
Aelod balch o'r cynllun cyflogwyr Hyderus o ran Anabledd