Tree Manager – Sheffield City Council

Sheffield is proud to be one of the greenest and most wooded cities in Europe, with a remarkable urban forest that defines its identity. With millions of trees across parks, woodlands, streets and open spaces, and one of the highest urban canopy cover levels in the UK, the city offers a unique opportunity to shape an environment where nature, communities and the economy thrive together.

This role sits at the heart of a wider, ambitious agenda. Sheffield’s Trees and Woodlands Strategy 2018–2033 sets out a vision for a resilient, diverse and sustainably managed urban forest that maximises environmental, social and economic benefits. This aligns with the Council Plan and the Sheffield City Goals, which collectively set out a long-term commitment to climate action, improved health and wellbeing, stronger communities and sustainable economic growth. Alongside the Green and Open Space Strategy, these frameworks emphasise the critical role of green infrastructure in creating high-quality places, tackling inequality and supporting a net zero future.

We are now seeking a part time experienced and dynamic Tree Manager to co-lead this agenda and play a central role in shaping the future of Sheffield’s urban forest within the wider Parks and Countryside Service.

About the Role

The Tree Manager will lead and coordinate the strategic management, maintenance and development of trees across the Council’s estate with a focus on Parks and Countryside, Housing and corporate property land, ensuring delivery of high-quality, sustainable outcomes. This is a senior, high-impact role requiring strong leadership, commercial awareness and expert arboricultural knowledge.

About You

You will be an experienced manager with a strong track record in arboriculture, combining technical expertise with confident leadership and influencing skills. You will bring:

In-depth knowledge of arboricultural principles, tree risk management and relevant legislation
Experience of managing teams, contracts and complex service delivery
Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage communities, partners and senior stakeholders
Proven ability to manage budgets, secure external funding and deliver projects
A degree-level qualification (or equivalent) in arboriculture or a related field

Sheffield is an amazing city with a proud heritage and an exciting future. As The Outdoor City, we’re known for our blend of vibrant urban life and exceptional green spaces. From our boundary with the Peak District to the highest proportion of green space of any city worldwide. Our ambition is simple: to create great neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive and enjoy healthier lives outdoors.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of a progressive and passionate team committed to managing and stewarding the cities’ 2.7 million trees across the Parks and Countryside estate for future generations.

More information about our service can be found at:

Parks, Sport and Recreation | Sheffield City Council

             
We aim to interview at the end of July.

Please contact Rowan Longhurst – rowan.longhurst@sheffield.gov.uk for more information.

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our Sheff news page.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.