Strutt & Parker (S&P) is a national rural property management and advisory business with a history of 140 years and part of the BNP Paribas group. We are looking for an experienced environmental professional to lead our delivery of nature focussed advice to our wide-ranging client base.

As established rural land managers and advisors, we advise on a wide range of land uses including those that involve environmental protection, habitat and biodiversity improvements and carbon capture. Over the last few years, we have seen an increasing focus on these land uses. This includes the increasing integration of environmental impact considerations of farming activity and the development of new opportunities for landowners to develop income streams from delivering natural capital solutions.

These changes, combined with rapidly evolving government policy in this area make our informed advice to clients increasingly valuable and we are seeking an individual to drive the delivery of that value to our clients and to our business.

The role

We are looking for a Head of Natural Capital [England] to join our team and lead our Natural Capital offering [in England]. This will include supporting teams across the Strutt & Parker business, developing and delivering natural capital projects, and representing the business to clients and external audiences.

Responsibilities

•    Identifying and pursuing opportunities for natural capital projects such as landscape scale conservation, biodiversity net gain, carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, and other natural based solutions such as natural flood management.

•    Growing our natural capital business by developing and managing relationships with landowners, investors, funders, regulators, NGOs and other stakeholders involved in natural capital projects.

•    Providing investment and asset management advice to Strutt & Parker teams, the wider BNP group and investors on natural capital opportunities, risks and returns.

•    Leading and overseeing the delivery of natural capital projects from inception to completion, ensuring quality, compliance and value for money.

•    Building and managing an internal network of colleagues with a specific interest in natural capital to support you with delivering the natural capital offering.

•    Embedding natural capital thinking into existing well-established service lines

•    Working with our Marketing, Research and PR teams to act as a figurehead for the business and increase the company profile in the press, media and at industry events across the UK

•    Providing leadership and advice on Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality

•    You will work with the Head of Forestry and Natural Capital (UK) and alongside the Head of Natural Capital, Scotland to promote the latest thinking and market intelligence to increase the service line.

Person specification

To be successful in this role, you will need:

•    A degree or equivalent qualification in environmental science, ecology, natural resource management, forestry, agriculture or related field is desirable but not essential 

•    Experience in natural capital project development and delivery, preferably in the UK context.

•    Strong knowledge of natural capital concepts, principles, methods and tools, including valuation, accounting and reporting.

•    Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

•    A passion for nature conservation and environmental sustainability.

•    Sales-orientated, capable of identifying new business opportunities and generating new leads

•    Experience of delivering presentations, reports and commentary to in-person groups, media, press, webinars, podcasts etc

•    Experience of and understanding in the Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality regimes and evolving government policy in this area

We are proud to offer award-winning benefits to support and reward our employees:

•    Health & Leisure: Private medical cover, 30 days annual leave + public holidays (the option of purchasing up to 5 additional days via flex benefits), health screening, gym discounts, wellbeing support, volunteering opportunities, cycle to work scheme, eye care voucher, travel & retail discounts, travel insurance, concierge service, kids pass, open fairways golf card, great company culture and social events (including sports teams, charity events, art pass), perks at work 

•    Financial:  Pension, company car allowance, life assurance at 8 x basic salary, group income protection (long term disability insurance), interest free season ticket loan, bonus scheme - you will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Bonus Scheme, share incentive plan, financial and mortgage advice 

Strutt and Parker is committed to providing a work environment that fosters diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity without regard to race, colour, gender, age, creed, sex, religion, national origin, disability (physical or mental), marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, or any other legally protected status.