Job Introduction We are committed to the development of our workforce. This position is only available to applicants who already work for Surrey County Council . We thank you for your interest in our roles and would encourage you to review our vacancies which are open to all. This full-time, permanent position has a starting salary of £48,698 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week. We are excited to be hiring a new Countryside Partnership Manager to join our fantastic Countryside Partnerships Teams, based at based at Horton Country Park, Epsom with regular travel across the county and between sites. Our Offer to You 26 days’ holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years’ service plus bank holidays Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave A generous local government salary related pension Up to 5 days of carer’s leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year Paternity, adoption and dependents leave An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residents About the Role Are you a passionate leader with experience in countryside management, partnership working and environmental conservation? Do you thrive on bringing people together to deliver meaningful improvements for nature and local communities? We're looking for a Countryside Partnerships Manager to lead our highly regarded Countryside Partnerships Teams, driving environmental enhancement and public access projects across the Lower Mole, Downlands and Heathland Partnership areas. Spanning Surrey and extending into three London Boroughs, this is a unique opportunity to influence the management and conservation of some of the region's most valued landscapes. Hosted within Surrey County Council's Resources Directorate, the Countryside Partnerships Team plays a vital role in delivering practical conservation outcomes and supporting partners to meet their environmental objectives. The service is jointly funded by eight Surrey Borough and District Councils, three London Boroughs, Surrey County Council and the City of London, reflecting its importance as a trusted and collaborative conservation partner. Through a wide-ranging programme of work, the team helps protect and enhance habitats, improve access to green spaces, support conservation grazing initiatives, and deliver practical land management projects. Working closely with volunteers, communities and partner organisations, the service generates significant benefits for biodiversity, health and wellbeing across Surrey and South London. As Countryside Partnerships Manager, you will provide leadership to a dedicated team, ensuring the successful delivery of agreed programmes and priorities while building strong relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders. You will play a key role in securing external funding opportunities, helping to grow and sustain the service for the future. As a Countryside Partnerships Manager, you will: Lead, motivate and develop the Countryside Partnerships Teams, creating a positive and high-performing culture Oversee the delivery of conservation, access improvement and community engagement programmes across multiple partnership areas Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, charitable trusts, funding bodies and other key stakeholders Identify and secure external funding opportunities to support project delivery and reduce reliance on local authority funding Manage service budgets, contracts and resources, ensuring value for money and effective delivery Monitor performance, manage risks and ensure robust governance, health and safety, and compliance arrangements are in place This is an excellent opportunity to work at the forefront of countryside conservation and help shape the future of Surrey's natural environment for generations to come. Your Application In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours : Countryside and environmental management experience Experience of managing teams, partnerships, contracts and budgets Knowledge of environmental policy, biodiversity and countryside management legislation Strong project management, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills The job advert closes at 23:59 on 6th October 2026 with interviews to follow. Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description and our Life at Surrey Handbook to get an insight into working at Surrey. We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit. Contact Us Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment. Please contact Debra Lee by e-mail at mailto:Debra.lee@surreycc.gov.uk. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities. Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents! Please see more information here: Information for applicants on Local Government Reorganisation - Surrey County Council. Our Commitment We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview. Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we’re committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

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