Operations Director (FTS UK)

• Location: Primarily based at SRUC Barony, near Dumfries, with potential for hybrid/home working.
• Salary: Competitive, with a 10% pension contribution (dependent on experience)
• Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

About us

Forestry Training Service UK (FTS UK) is a start-up company underwritten by many of the leading companies in the UK forest industry and the Confederation of Forest Industries to deal with strategically important technical training and recruitment issues.

Forestry industries are recognised as playing a significant part across the UK in supporting a vibrant rural economy, offering varied and challenging career paths and contributing significantly to climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and manufacturing products that store carbon for long periods of time.

In the coming decades, the forestry sector is forecast to grow significantly to deliver increased planting targets, manage more forest area to provide multiple benefits for the economy, nature and society whilst ensuring we harvest and process increased timber production to meet the growing demand for wood products from within the UK.

In order to achieve this, we need to upskill our current work force, and recruit and train new people in various job roles that will provide challenging and rewarding careers.

FTS UK will act as a hub and facilitator to provide training. This will include identifying and filling gaps where training is required and not currently available, connecting training demand to provision, sourcing funding and identifying and providing a range of physical centres. It will also work with other organisations to establish or improve training infrastructure and/or standards where required by industry and develop a framework for workplace-based mentoring for newly trained people who are also new to the sector.

The role

We are seeking an ambitious and experienced Operations Director to lead and develop FTS UK on behalf of the wider forestry industry.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a new organisation from the ground up, working closely with industry leaders, training providers, and government stakeholders to deliver impactful, long-term change.

The successful candidate will be self-motivated and have a proven track record of delivery. They will also have experience in a leadership role in developing and/or delivering learning and development and/or skills programmes and engaging in successful collaborations and networks. Strong communication skills and an ability to build and maintain relationships with senior management of key stakeholders is vital.

Previous experience of working independently, in a senior role that involves partnership working in a complex environment and a leadership role in Learning and Development, skills and education is essential.

Previous experience in transforming the training and learning of a large, complex organisation or sector would be beneficial, as would a good knowledge of the technical training needs of the UK forestry and wood supply chain and experience in the commercial delivery of training courses.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

At FTS UK, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. We believe that a wide range of perspectives strengthens our organisation and enhances our ability to innovate and lead.