Overview
Countryside Manager – Cotehele,Saltash, United Kingdom
We’re looking for a Countryside Manager to work across and lead the National Trust’s local ranger teams based at Cotehele and Buckland Abbey and our land and nature strategy across the properties of Cotehele, Buckland Abbey and Antony.
These beautiful properties, two of which are situated in the Tamar Valley National Landscape, with Dartmoor National Park and many unspoilt beaches nearby. The properties are brimming with character, and each has a special atmosphere and wonderful sense of place. The teams across the three properties pride themselves on providing superb customer service, and the family atmosphere in these teams makes them a very special place to work. Due to the three properties locations, it’s likely you will need your own transport to get there.
For more information about our properties please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Day-to-day, you’ll be managing and developing your team of staff and volunteers. You will also be leading on strategic work, improving access, running nature conservation projects, building great working relationships with partners, tenants and colleagues, and helping to make everyone feel welcome in the countryside, whatever their background or knowledge.
As a member of our leadership team, you’ll work alongside other departments and teams to develop landscape-wide strategies and long-term planning for this area.
You’ll also be working with partner organisations and local communities to restore nature on a landscape scale. You’ll have the satisfaction of helping to look after complex habitats, including riversides, woodland, veteran trees and old parkland.
You’ll be expected to work some weekends and bank holidays and be a part of the Duty Management rota.
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
- highly experienced in nature conservation, and the managing of common land, public land and changes of land use
- skilled in managing projects and budgets
- confident in leading a diverse team
- able to show examples of where you’ve successfully managed change
- adept at negotiating, influencing and communicating
- resilient and experienced in working effectively with partners
- good at involving all kinds of people, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, and giving great service
- keen to make a difference, show initiative and work towards a sustainable future.
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
Cotehele, Cotehele, Saltash, PL12 6TACountryside Manager – Grade 6.pdf Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Closing Date: 25 October 2026
To apply for this vacancy simply click the ‘apply’ button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we’ll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
