Overview
Trees & Woodland Adviser – Heelis,Swindon, United Kingdom
We’re looking for a Trees & Woodland Delivery Partner to help deliver our ambitions for nature recovery, carbon capture and sustainable land management. You’ll provide leadership, guidance and technical expertise to support the establishment, management and protection of trees and woodlands across the National Trust. This role combines acting as an adviser on the whole range of tree and woodland topics with a specialist focus on GIS and tree safety management (including TSM software).
The role is a three-year fixed-term contract.
We support the care, creation and management of trees and woodlands across the Trust. Our work includes woodland creation, stewardship of existing woodlands, conservation of ancient and veteran trees, tree safety management, woodland assurance standards and contractor oversight.
Working closely with regional Trees & Woodland Delivery Partners, property teams and specialists in nature, land use, water, heritage and access, we help deliver the National Trust’s ambitions for nature, climate and people. We also work with external partners to support the delivery of our strategy, People and Nature Thriving.
As this is a national role, there is flexibility on your contractual place of work. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.We anticipate occasional travel further afield as needed (typically 1-2 overnight stays per month).
You’ll work across a broad range of tree and woodland priorities, supporting woodland management throughout the National Trust. A key part of this role is providing GIS expertise to support planning, mapping and monitoring activities, while also playing a leadership role on Tree Safety Management and the ongoing roll-out of the Trust’s Tree Safety Management app.
You’ll provide specialist advice on initiatives including Ready to Burn and the Woodland Carbon Code, support woodland-related fundraising projects, and contribute to woodland creation, UKWAS compliance, ancient and veteran tree conservation, contractor management, policy development, training and guidance.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don’t need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgment to apply them effectively at scale. We’d love to hear from you if you have:
- High-level technical knowledge of woodland management and arboriculture, supported by relevant qualifications and experience.
- Professional GIS experience for woodland management and creation.
- Experience of Tree Safety Management and TSM software.
- Strong understanding of the wildlife value of trees and woods, alongside relevant legislation, policy and guidance.
- Excellent consulting, analysis and relationship-building skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including reports and presentations.
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.
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA
Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Closing Date: 20 September 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 28 September 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.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.
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.
