Director of Commercial Development

Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity, committed to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. We have an exciting new opportunity for a Director of Commercial Development to join our Strategic Leadership Team based at our Head Office in Great Wigborough, Colchester, Essex.

The role is responsible for the strategic leadership and development of income generation activities, funding streams, existing commercial operations and opportunities. Reporting to the CEO, the Director will lead with authority, credibility, and integrity to deliver the Trust's Strategic Plan. The opportunity is engaging and dynamic, encompassing existing income generation in our Nature Discovery Centres, our environmental consultancy activities, plus the Trust’s relational income streams, incorporating fundraising, membership, legacies, major donors, and grant income.

Robust business planning must be at the heart of all income related development and the Director is expected to embed this thinking within their teams. The long-term financial viability of the Trust is integral to this role and therefore sound financial planning underpins all aspects of the role.

With over 1.25 million visitors annually and a charitable membership of over 40,000, the postholder will leverage upon the existing success at the Trust to design and implement a new Commercial Development Strategy, which delivers a step change in commercial planning and delivery across the Trust, both internally and externally. Growing our funding channels is a key strategic responsibility for the Trust, and this role will drive continued growth in this strategic area.

The Director of Commercial Development will lead on strategic relationships at a senior level, where the best interests of the Trust need to be safe guarded. Strong commercial skills, and a credible voice with staff, volunteers and supporters alike is fundamental to the success of this role, as is excellent people management and leadership capabilities. The financial future of the Trust is intimately linked to our ability to inspire people through wildlife and the natural world. We are a proudly ambitious organisation, with a strong culture and fully embedded values. If you would love to join our committed and enthusiastic team, feel synergy with this role and with our aspirations, and align with our organisation values of Impactful, Collaborative, United and Proactive we would love to hear from you.

This role is a permanent full-time position with a starting salary of £66,837 per annum (Band A on our salary scale). For more information, a full job description can be found on our website essexwt.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/jobs. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact our CEO, Dr Andrew Impey.

To make an application, please complete an online application form via our recruitment partner Networx. The closing date is Friday 29 September 2023. The first round of interviews will be on held week commencing 09 October 2023.

Essex Wildlife Trust is currently trialling hybrid-working arrangements with a view to implementing a workplace policy. Further details of the hybrid-working arrangements will be shared at interview.

Please note, the successful applicant will be subject to a Basic DBS check.