Operations Manager (Forestry)
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum
Location: Cumbria
Full-time
About the role
We’re looking for an Operations Manager to help lead and deliver forestry services across Raise: Cumbria Community Forest.
This role will lead woodland creation, management and monitoring projects across Cumbria, working with a range of funding programmes, partners and contractors. You’ll manage staff, schedules and resources, helping keep projects running smoothly from planning through to delivery.
The role will also drive the development of new forestry services and opportunities as Raise continues to grow.
You don’t necessarily need to be a trained forester for this role.
We’re looking for someone proactive with strong operational or project management experience who can coordinate people, manage complexity and support specialist teams. You might come from forestry, farming, conservation, land management or another outdoor or environmental sector.
As a neurodivergent-led organisation, we value different ways of thinking and welcome applications from people with a wide range of experiences. What matters most is your ability to lead delivery, build good working relationships and help projects move forward.
If you want to help deliver practical woodland and nature projects with communities across Cumbria, we’d love to hear from you.
About Raise
Raise: Cumbria Community Forest is a neurodivergent-led organisation working across 1,300 square miles of Cumbria. We work with landowners, communities and partners to create and care for woodlands that support biodiversity, climate action and people’s connection to nature. Our work combines practical forestry delivery with community engagement, skills development and long-term stewardship.
Working with us
This is a role that involves working across Cumbria, including regular site visits to woodland and rural locations.
You will need to be comfortable working outdoors and travelling between sites as part of your role.
A full UK driving licence is required.
You will be working with landowners, contractors and partners, often in complex delivery environments where priorities need to be managed day to day.
What we offer
Hybrid working
25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays
Enhanced pension scheme
In-house training opportunities
What we’re looking for
You don’t need forestry qualifications, but you do need relevant experience in operational or project management.
We are looking for someone who can:
manage projects or programmes from planning through to delivery
coordinate people, staff and external contractors
work with landowners, partners or stakeholders
manage multiple priorities and resolve operational challenges
support specialist technical teams in delivery
communicate clearly and build strong working relationships
Experience in forestry, farming, conservation, land management or similar outdoor sectors would be an advantage, but we are open to different backgrounds.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your full CV and a covering letter detailing your relevant skills and experience to our HR Team at HR@cf-trust.org
Download the full job description and person specification.
If you would like to discuss the role or our organisation further you are welcome to contact James Cobbold (Director) by email: info@raisecumbria.co.uk
Closing date: June 14th 2026
Interviews: June 22nd 2026
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking, and are committed to inclusive recruitment practices.