We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made - please note that this also includes any CV uploaded. Equality monitoring information is not accessible by recruiting managers at any stage.
Organisation
Kirklees
Directorate
Place
Service Area
Skills & Regeneration
Hours
37
Number of Jobs
1
Location(s)
North and West Yorkshire
Position type
Permanent
Grade
Grade 14
Salary
£49,764 - £51,802
Advert Wording
A rare opportunity has come up to join the award-winning White Rose Forest team as Programme Manager. Following an internal promotion, the White Rose Forest is looking to recruit a new Programme Manager to lead on the development and delivery of its annual multi-million-pound WRF planting programme across North and West Yorkshire. This is a senior management role within the core White Rose Forest team that requires considerable knowledge and experience in the forestry and land management sector.
The White Rose Forest (WRF) is the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire and was voted Community Forest of the Year in 2024, in recognition of our leading role within the England’s Community Forests network. At our heart we are a partnership, working closely with local, regional and national Government, as well as our National Parks, local businesses, landowners and community organisations in Yorkshire to plant trees where they are needed the most. All our projects are designed to benefit nature recovery and our communities.
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 and publish our new 5-year Action Plan.
Kirklees Council is the employer for this position in its role as accountable body for the WRF partnership, with primary responsibility for 1) identifying, securing and managing strategic levels of funding 2) providing the managerial structures and accounting support to create and deliver regional programmes of tree planting, woodland creation and management. The Postholder, under the direction of a Programme Director, will be working with a small team of committed professionals in the WRF team to support delivery of the WRF 5-year Action Plan and longer-term strategic ambitions.
The White Rose Forest is looking for a Programme Manager with the experience and ability to:
- Oversee the production and delivery of the annual WRF tree planting programme ensuring it complies with the UK Forestry Standard and other regulatory approvals
- Represent Kirklees Council and the WRF partnership in the negotiation of funding agreements with approved landowners and oversee the administration of this funding
- Operationally manage other landowner engagement WRF Project Managers within the WRF core team and support team development
- Work closely with the core team, WRF partners and stakeholders, to ensure the successful operation and ongoing development of the WRF Delivery Pathway
- Work with WRF partners, the WRF Programme Management Group and working parties as required to support the development of the WRF Partnership and delivery of strategic plans and targets.
Recognised technical expertise and experience in forestry and land management is required for this role, as well as a detailed knowledge of the regulatory environment that impacts woodland creation plans.
Excellent communication, project management and senior stakeholder management skills are crucial, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively to manage complex, high value projects, contracts and budgets.
The Programme Manager, as with all members of the central WRF team, will work from home without an office base. Travel by car across North and West Yorkshire will be required as part of this role and it is essential that applicants hold a full and valid driving licence.
What can we offer?
- Hybrid working between home, site visits and meeting venues.
- Career development, through learning and development, coaching, mentoring and on the job experience.
- Potential career progression within the team and the wider forestry/environment sector.
- A friendly and supportive team environment
- A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working
- Paid mileage and/or public transport for site visits and travel to meetings.
- Excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Access to benefits e.g. employee healthcare, high street discounts.
For more information about our Staff Benefits, please visit the following link
Our people are the White Rose Forest’s biggest strengths, and we ensure inclusion is at the heart of our policies, processes and practices. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community.
If you have any questions about this role please contact Iwan Downey on
For more information about the White Rose Forest visit
Please read the attached Job Profile for more information on this opportunity.
Guy Thompson 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:or phone: 01484 221000 and ask for ‘Recruitment’.
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.
Closing date
06 July 2025, 11:55 PM
Important Information 
