Operations Manager - High Lodge

Job summary

What you’ll do…

High Lodge is one of Forestry England’s flagship outdoor recreation destinations, receiving over 500,000 visitors annually and offering high‑quality facilities, trails, heritage features, play areas, cycling, events, and commercial partnerships.

As the Recreation Operations Manager, you will lead the delivery, management and development of recreation operations across High Lodge and support recreation management across wider beat areas. The role is responsible for day‑to‑day operational excellence, facility and asset management, health and safety leadership, contract oversight, budget management, and developing a positive and inclusive “one‑team” culture.

You will play a central role in ensuring that High Lodge provides an outstanding visitor experience while contributing to the wider East District recreation strategy, commercial growth targets and Forestry England’s values of sustainability, safety, access and wellbeing.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work…

High Lodge Thetford Forest, Thetford Road, Brandon IP27 0AF

Occasional national travel with overnight stay may be required.

Job description

Key responsibilities & accountabilities

Leadership & People

• Lead, manage and develop the recreation team (Recreation Rangers, Assistant Rangers, Craftsperson roles, apprentices).
• Provide coaching, direction and support to foster a positive, inclusive and collaborative “one-team” culture.
• Act as Duty Manager on a rota (including weekends, public holidays, peak visitor periods).
• Promote Forestry England’s values, behaviours and health and safety culture (“Look Out & Look After”).

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with health and safety guidance.
• Oversee safe working practices for staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.
• Lead and support accident investigations, reporting, and corrective actions.
• Maintain safe and compliant recreational facilities including play areas, trails, cycling routes and buildings.

Recreation Operations & Facility Management

• Oversee the day-to-day management and presentation of High Lodge facilities, including buildings, play, trails, heritage and visitor infrastructure.
• Lead building and asset management, facility inspections, audits and civil engineering–related works.
• Maintain High Lodge’s buildings to statutory standards and customer expectations, working with Estates and specialist teams where required.
• Implement district-wide Woodland Access Review actions and manage permissions, unauthorised trails and volunteer activities.

Commercial Management & Business Development

• Identify and develop opportunities for commercial growth while ensuring alignment with sustainable land management principles.
• Manage budgets, monitor income/expenditure and report on variances.
• Oversee delivery of commercial activities contributing towards c.£1.5m of annual income.
• Support the growth and diversification of the recreation business across East District beats.

Contract & Partnership Management

• Lead contract management for recreation-related contracts (e.g., cleaning, vegetation management, gate locking, maintenance).
• Manage contractors’ performance and health & safety compliance.
• Work closely with external partners, concessionaires (e.g. Go Ape), volunteers and stakeholders.
• Achieve value for money through fair, transparent procurement processes.

Events & Programme Delivery

• Collaborate with the Visitor Services Manager on event development and delivery, including Forestry England–led events (e.g., Forest Live) and externally delivered events.
• Support the planning, permissions, logistics and safe delivery of activities and special events.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams (Sustainable Land Management, Civils, Ecology, Estates, Marketing).
• Represent Forestry England at external meetings where required.
• Provide site information and updates at internal district and national meetings. And any other tasks, reasonably requested by your line manager.

Person specification

Skills, knowledge & experience

Essential professional and technical experience

• Experience in outdoor recreation operations or a public-facing role in a comparable environment.
• Experience leading teams and managing staff, volunteers or contractors.
• Demonstrable experience of health, safety and wellbeing management, including risk assessments and incident reporting.
• Proven experience in facilities or asset management.
• Understanding of budget management, income/expenditure monitoring and commercial delivery.
• Experience of contract management and delivering value for money.
• Ability to engage stakeholders, partners and volunteers effectively.
• Competent IT user (Microsoft Office applications; experience with ForesterWeb desirable).

Desirable professional and technical experience

• Understanding of Forestry England recreation practices and national standards.
• Experience managing tenants or partnership businesses.
• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of managing volunteer programmes.
• Qualification in a relevant discipline (NVQ, HND, Degree).

Qualifications

Essential

• a GCSE in Maths and English or functional skills equivalent.
• Full current UK Driving Licence (or the ability to fulfil the needs of the role through alternative means)

Desirable

• A relevant vocational or academic qualification in recreation, land management, environmental management or similar discipline.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• A 5‑minute presentation will need to be prepared in advance. The subject will be provided to applicants who are invited to interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,854, Forestry Commission contributes £9,807 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and