Head of Nature and Climate Response

We’re passionate about our environment, our National and Local Nature Reserves and our parks and open spaces. We are developing Medway’s tree strategy and expanding our allotment service to reflect the ever-increasing demand. We understand the importance of nature and greenspaces to health and wellbeing now and for future generations, and the vital role it plays in developing a meaningful response to the issues of climate change.

You don’t need to have a degree in ecology to apply for this role; what we want is someone with a passion to make lives better for our residents and who not only understands the importance of our natural environment but also has the drive and determination to make a noticeable difference for the benefit of our communities.

The successful candidate in this exciting new role will provide strategic leadership and operational management for the enhancement of Medway’s natural environment and the delivery of the Council’s response to climate change.

The role is responsible for developing and implementing nature and climate strategies, managing key environmental programmes and partnerships, ensuring statutory obligations are fulfilled and delivering effective services that support the Council’s priorities and long-term sustainability objectives.

The successful candidate will:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive nature strategy for Medway, supporting the protection and enhancement of the natural landscape.
• Lead the development and delivery of Medway’s climate response strategy, ensuring co-ordinated action the Council and partners.
• Ensure the service meets all relevant statutory duties and environmental obligations.
• Maintain effective budgetary control, manging income and expenditure to support service delivery and value for money.
• Provide management oversight of environment-related partnerships hosted by Medway Council, including Birdwise and the Medway Swale Estuary Partnership.
• Lead the strategic management and delivery of the Medway trees team and associated programme.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of Council priorities and ensure the service contributes effectively to wider corporate and place-based objectives.
• Support, develop and motivate staff through effective leadership, performance management and professional development.

No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

Interviews will be held Tuesday 12 May 2026

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager please call Bob Dimond, Chief Leisure and Environment Officer on 07525 801081.

In return we offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
• The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency. Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day’s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change.

Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information-

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.

• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.

• For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

• Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

• We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.