The vacancy

The Wye and Usk Foundation (WUF) is seeking a capable and entrepreneurial person to take on the development and delivery of natural capital opportunities, with the objective of restoring the Wye and Usk rivers and their catchments.

These are exciting times for this area, policy is moving towards us and opportunities are plentiful. We are currently working with councils, water companies and farmers to develop and deliver nutrient neutrality opportunities. In addition, we are developing catchment scale natural flood management, biodiversity off-setting and both soil and tree carbon. 

You will be managing a team which is expanding in size and capability. It currently has 5 staff and a turnover of around £300k.

WUF is a dynamic and driven organisation that is focused on solving the issues affecting the rivers and making the changes required to bring them back to health. Changing land use, through improvement of the natural regulatory and provisioning services, is integral to our objective.

The role is ideally full time and hybrid, with a mix of home, office and external work.

WUF's standard working week is 37.5 hours, but due to the nature of the role, additional evenings, weekends and overtime hours can be required to accommodate activities, such as board meetings and representing the organisation. This is managed through a 'Time off In Lieu' working system.

WUF’s Office is in Talgarth, LD3 0BY.

Remuneration

£38-50k depending on experience + bonus, pension, life assurance and mobile phone.

Person specification

We are looking to recruit a person who:

• Is entrepreneurial, well connected and able to see opportunities.
• Is a team player and problem solver.  
• Understands natural capital and ecosystem services.
• Has knowledge of the Wye and Usk rivers and their catchment areas as well as their key stakeholders such as farmers, regulators, businesses, councils and other non-government organisations.
• Has working knowledge of both Welsh and English legislation and regulations applicable in this area.
• Has working knowledge of the science, methodology and application of natural capital.
• Has experience of managing a team including; strategic development, human resources management, financial management and project management.
• Is accustomed to completing tenders and other funding applications successfully.
• Is proficient in the use of computers for mapping, word processing, internet, email and financial management.
• Has good analytical, questioning and listening skills, with an ability to think on their feet when faced with unexpected questions or issues.
• Can provide leadership through appropriate openness to possibilities and alternatives.
• Has a high standard of verbal and written communication.
• Has the ability to work confidently with budgets and other numerical data.

Primary Responsibilities of the Role:

Leadership

• Stay abreast of trends and knowledge in this fast moving area and develop the many opportunities it presents, working with the CEO and the rest of the Foundation to realise and deliver them.
• Manage your team according to the WUF’s strategic direction, within current legal and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a culture that reflects the WUF’s values, which positively influences the way WUF delivers its objectives and keeps in mind the well-being of the organisation and its staff.
• Foster effective team work within the Natural Capital team and all other teams within the organisation.
• In addition to the CEO, act as a spokesperson for the organisation to enhance the organisation's profile,

Operational planning and management

• Ensure that the operation and delivery of the Natural Capital department meets the expectations of its clients, funders and the Foundation’s Trustees.
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the Natural Capital Team.
• Ensure information is collected and analysed which measures the effect of the team's efforts.
• Work with the CEO and your team leaders to refine programmes and/or future planned programmes in response to that information.
• Ensure that the CEO and Trustees have sufficient up-to-date and accurate information, so that quality decisions and actions can be made.

Human resources planning and management

• Determine the staffing requirements for the department and recruit accordingly.
• Oversee the implementation of the human resources and staff development policies, procedures and practices.
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment.
• Implement a performance management process for the staff you manage, which includes monitoring performance on an on-going basis, meeting regularly and conducting annual performance reviews.
• Coach and mentor staff, as appropriate, to improve performance.

Financial planning and management

• Work with the CEO and the CFO to prepare a budget for your department.
• Manage income, spend and resource for the Natural Capital Department.  
• Ensure expenditure is approved according to the WUF policies.
• Ensure that your department complies with all legislation and associated regulations covering all its financial matters.

External relations

• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with business, government, statutory bodies, politicians and other organisations to help achieve the goals of the organisation.
• Actively advocate for the organisation, its objectives and methods.

Risk management

• Work with the CEO and your team to identify and quantify the risks to the organisation and implement measures to control them. 

To Apply:

Please submit a CV and covering letter to [email protected] with 'Application for Head of Natural Capital position" in the subject line.