Location: Arkaig Community Forest, Clunes,Spean Bridge, Highlands IV34 4EJ
Duration: November 2026 – March 2028 (Fixed-Term)
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week)
Salary: £34,000 per annum            

Arkaig Community Forest is a community-led organisation founded in 2014 to restore Loch Arkaig Pine Forest. In partnership with Woodland Trust Scotland, we manage more than 1,000 hectares of land, operate a native tree nursery and run a community venison larder. Together with partners we are working towards landscape-scale habitat restoration of over 30,000 Ha of Scottish rainforest, Caledonian pinewood and peatland.  We offer a wide range of volunteering and training opportunities.

We’re looking for an organised, proactive Operations and Community Engagement Manager to keep our organisation running smoothly and help strengthen our connection with the local community.

You’ll manage day-to-day operations including office and estate maintenance, HR, financial admin, compliance, insurance, and liaison with partners and the Board. You’ll also lead our communications — updating the website, growing our social media presence, producing newsletters and press releases, and working with media partners.

A key part of the role is community engagement: organising events, recruiting and supporting volunteers, developing progression pathways, maintaining databases, and ensuring equipment and activities are safe and well-managed.

If you’re a confident communicator, great at multitasking, and passionate about community involvement, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note the role may require a PVG check in the future. 

Job Description

About the Role

The Operations and Community Engagement Manager will play a central role in ensuring the smooth running of the organisation’s operations, office systems, estate, communications, community engagement and volunteer programme.

The postholder will be responsible for day-to-day operational management, compliance, administration, financial processes, HR coordination, external communications, and building strong relationships with local communities, volunteers, partners and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations and Administration

• Manage office operations and estate maintenance.

• Maintain the office, workspace and facilities to ensure they are safe, welcoming and fit for purpose.

• Manage the cash book, invoicing, receipts, expenses and claims.

• Maintain accurate financial records and support reporting as required.

• Line manage and support Deer Larder Manager and Tree Nursery Manager as needed.

• Take overall responsibility for HR processes, records and administration.

• Liaise with the Board and provide operational updates as required.

• Field general enquiries and respond appropriately.

• Carry out general administration to support the effective running of the organisation.

• Maintain an organised Google Drive, filing system and email records.

• Maintain an up-to-date asset register.

• Ensure equipment is checked, maintained and stored correctly.

• Carry out any other duties reasonably requested by the Board.

2. Finance, Income Generation and Facilities

• Explore and implement revenue streams, including: 

  • Hire and management of office space.

  • Hire and management of WU and facilities.

  • Donations and other appropriate income opportunities.

• Support systems and processes that enable sustainable income generation.

• Maintain clear records relating to bookings, usage, payments and agreements.

3. Compliance and Governance

• Ensure Health and Safety requirements are met across the organisation’s activities and premises.

• Prepare and maintain risk assessments as required.

• Ensure GDPR compliance and good data management practice.

• Ensure general regulatory compliance.

• Ensure insurance cover is current and appropriate.

• Support good governance through clear reporting, record keeping and liaison with the Board.

• To develop and monitor safeguarding processes and compliance within the organisation and to act as Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

4. Communications and Media

• Maintain and develop the organisation’s website.

• Promote organisational news, activities, services and opportunities through the website and other channels.

• Increase the organisation’s social media profile.

• Create and promote engaging content across digital platforms.

• Produce press releases as needed.

• Produce regular newsletters.

• Engage with media contacts where required.

• Liaise with the WTS media team.

5. Community Engagement and Partnerships

• Increase local community involvement in the organisation’s activities.

• Build and maintain relationships with the local community, WTS, partners and relevant organisations.

• Liaise with organisations and partnerships including CWA, ASR, Pinewood Partnership and others as appropriate.

• Work with third parties to support collaboration, outreach and shared objectives.

• Represent the organisation professionally with external stakeholders.

6. Events

• Organise and run events that support the organisation’s aims.

• Coordinate event planning, promotion, logistics and delivery.

• Ensure appropriate risk assessments and safety measures are in place.

• Support volunteers, partners and staff involved in events.

7. Volunteer Management

• Organise, recruit and support volunteers.

• Maintain an accurate volunteer database.

• Organise and promote the volunteer programme.

• Establish a volunteer skills progression pathway.

• Supervise volunteers when necessary.

• Liaise with the WTS volunteer group leader.

• Ensure volunteers have the information, support and resources they need.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience

• Experience in operations, office management, administration or a similar role.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills.

• Experience managing systems, records and filing processes.

• Good financial administration skills, including invoices, receipts, claims or cash book processes.

• Experience supporting HR administration or organisational compliance.

• Good understanding of Health and Safety, GDPR and general regulatory responsibilities.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Experience producing website, newsletter, social media or press content.

• Experience engaging with communities, volunteers, partners or stakeholders.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Confident using digital tools, shared drives and databases.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience working in a charity, community organisation or not-for-profit setting.

• Experience developing income streams or managing facility hire.

• Experience organising community events.

• Experience recruiting, supporting or supervising volunteers.

• Experience working with Boards, trustees or governance structures.

• Understanding of local community networks and partnership working.

• Experience and/or interest in environmental restoration and ecology.

• Experience in outdoor education.

• Experience of safeguarding & safer recruitment

• Qualifications & training including 16hr outdoor first aid + F, IOSH Managing Safely, Food Hygiene Training etc. 

Personal Qualities

• Organised, proactive and reliable.

• Friendly and professional approach.

• Strong community focus.

• Able to build positive relationships with a wide range of people.

• Practical, flexible and solutions focused.

• Committed to inclusion, good governance and high standards of service delivery.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to:

 ops@arkaig.org

Closing date: 5pm Friday 25th September 2026
Interview date: w/c  5th October 

Equal Opportunities Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from people with lived experience of the communities we work with.

ACF has a Fair Work First Statement Declaration. Please note this role may require a PVG check in the future.