Head of Deer and Woodland Management - Remote / National

Head of Deer and Woodland Management – Remote / National | Competitive salary and excellent benefits | Remote / Home-based role, with travel as required

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) is looking to appoint a Head of Deer and Woodland Management to lead its strategic approach to sustainable deer and mammal management across the UK.

Deer management will be the principal focus of the role. The successful candidate will develop and implement BASC’s strategy, ensuring effective, responsible and evidence-based management is recognised as an essential component of land management, woodland restoration, nature recovery and the sustainable use of the countryside.

The role will provide strategic leadership across BASC, strengthening practical capability and professional standards, developing the evidence base, influencing policy and regulation, supporting members, and building understanding and confidence among government, stakeholders and the wider public.

The role

• Lead and continually develop BASC’s strategic approach to deer management, ensuring a clear, evidence-based and credible strategy is reviewed, updated and aligned with BASC’s wider objectives.
• Lead BASC’s work to define, promote and demonstrate sustainable deer management through robust evidence, research, data, monitoring and management approaches.
• Lead the development of practical capability, competence and high standards in deer management through training, guidance, codes of practice and best-practice approaches.
• Lead BASC’s policy and advocacy on deer management, influencing government, regulators and other decision-makers.
• Develop strategic partnerships with land managers, government, conservation organisations, researchers and other stakeholders.
• Build understanding, confidence and support for responsible deer management and stalking, while ensuring members have access to authoritative information, advice and relevant opportunities.
• Work with colleagues and external partners to strengthen the role of venison within sustainable deer management.
• Ensure the effective delivery of BASC’s deer strategy through clear priorities, plans, measures and resources.
• Manage and promote BASC’s deer stalking scheme opportunities and provide oversight of the BASC head-measuring scheme.
• Support colleagues with the delivery of a coherent strategy for foxes, squirrels and wild boar.

About you

You will have experience and a strong understanding of sustainable deer management and its relationship with woodland management, biodiversity, nature recovery and land management.

You will also bring:

• Experience and understanding of deer management policy, legislation, regulation and the wider political and stakeholder environment.
• Experience and understanding of the principles of deer population management, habitat impacts, management planning, monitoring and data collection.
• Experience or transferable skills in developing and implementing strategy.
• Experience or transferable skills in translating strategic objectives into practical programmes of work and measurable outcomes.
• Experience of managing budgets, resources and competing priorities.
• Experience of leading or coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and working effectively across organisational boundaries.
• Experience or transferable skills that demonstrate an ability to influence policy, regulation or decision-making in a contested or politically sensitive environment.
• Experience of building effective relationships with government, statutory agencies, NGOs, land managers and other external stakeholders.
• Experience of using evidence to develop policy, strategy or practical interventions.
• Experience of acting as a media or public-facing spokesperson.

You will need substantial knowledge and practical experience of deer management and stalking, together with knowledge and experience of the wider management of mammal species including foxes, squirrels and wild boar.

You should also have a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in deer management, ecology, forestry, land management, conservation or a related discipline, together with appropriate deer management qualification or experience such as DSC1 or equivalent, and DSC2 or equivalent practical competence.

A full UK driving licence, firearms certificate and shotgun certificate are essential.

Closing date: 8th of November