Candidate Pack: Park Manager

Thank you for your interest in joining Essex Country Parks.

We care for more than 1,000 hectares of nationally important landscapes including two SSSIs, ancient woodland, coastal marshes and valuable habitats that support a rich diversity of wildlife.

These landscapes play a vital role in supporting wildlife and connecting people with nature, and our team takes pride in caring for them responsibly.

We are now recruiting a Park Manager to lead operations across three of our most ecologically significant sites: Danbury Country Park, Cudmore Grove and Marsh Farm. It is an exciting opportunity for an experienced land manager who brings environmental expertise with confident people leadership and hands-on practical skills.

If you are motivated by meaningful conservation work, enjoy leading teams and love working outdoors, we would love to receive your application.

Ricky Hooper, County Parks Manager

Cudmore Grove is a coastal site with exceptional biodiversity, heritage features and well-loved by visitors.

• Grazing marsh, beach and open grasslands
• Borrow dykes supporting specialist invertebrates
• Notable bird and moth populations
• A Tudor blockhouse and WWII military structures

Danbury Country Park is a historic and ecologically rich landscape in the heart of Essex (base location).

• Ancient woodland and veteran trees
• Lakes, ponds and wetland habitats
• Formal gardens including an icehouse and a ha-ha from the former Danbury Palace
• Thriving education programme for schools and community groups

Marsh Farm is a large, open landscape with a focus on habitat creation and species protection.

• Key site for Brent Goose habitat management
• Grassland, wetland and scrub mosaic
• New water vole population
• Extensive coastline and popular walking routes
• Scheduled ancient monument – medieval saltern

The Park Manager provides leadership, planning and operational oversight across all three sites.

You’ll manage a small team of rangers and Park Operation Assistants as well as overseeing seasonal staff and volunteers. You will work closely with the Country Parks Manager, other park managers and specialist teams across Essex County Council.

This is an on-site role with the need to travel between sites, visiting each park at least once per week (travel expenses will be covered). You must be comfortable working with a high degree of independence as well as switching between strategic planning work and hands-on, practical tasks.

You’ll bring a passion and an understanding for conservation with the opportunity to learn and develop your skills across very different settings, each with their special characteristics and complexities.

Typical split:

• 80% management, planning and coordination
• 20% practical, hands-on site work

• Access to extensive training and professional development, including tractor operation, mounted implements, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), ATV handling, and 360‑degree excavator qualification, supporting your growth as both a land manager and team leader.

Few roles offer the chance to shape the future of ancient woodland, coastal marshland, heritage landscapes and SSSI habitats all within a single job.

Please submit:

• Your CV
• A supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria. 
  Applications should be sent to xxxxx

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please contact:  xxxx