Job title
Apprentice Forest Manager
Start date
September 2025
Job Location
Newcastle (St James' Boulevard, NE4 5BZ)
Salary
£22,500 + £1,000 sign on bonus
Current Team Information
The Savills Forestry team within the North region is an expanding team, currently comprising of nine professional foresters and a team administrator, across offices in Telford, Chester, Lincoln, Carlisle, York and Newcastle. Although the team is geographically spread, we hold a virtual meeting every month with an emphasis on sharing thoughts, ideas and experiences in order to support one another. The Newcastle office has two foresters and our team admin, rural teams, and other teams such as planning and development.
About this role
The Forestry Team North covers from Birmingham/Peterborough to the borders, undertaking the planning, surveying, planting, maintenance, harvesting and replanting of trees, woodlands and forests. Work is undertaken on behalf of a wide range of clients including farmers, estate owners and large institutions.
From our base in the Newcastle, you will have the opportunity to work within locations across Northumberland, Cumbria and down into Yorkshire. From beautiful national parks to large cities, your role will incorporate a wide range of sites. We have four main service lines: woodland management (including timber harvesting); new planting; tree surveying; and valuation / agency work.
As you will expect, a career in forestry & arboriculture includes a considerable proportion of time spent outdoors in all weathers. The need to access remote, rural locations requires a full driving license and the use of a personal vehicle for business use. We will provide mensuration equipment, a mobile phone and a lone working safety kit.
Your role within the Forestry team is integral to the development of the wider team and our ongoing growth. Throughout the duration of your apprenticeship, you will support the wider team in the delivery of a range of projects. Initially, you will work with another member of the team as you become familiar with the role. As your experience develops, you will take on surveying and contract supervision roles with increasing autonomy, progressing ultimately to contract management and the delivery of complete projects.
You will develop long-term working relationships with contractors, clients and colleagues within the wider Savills business.
Working Week
Five full days, working hours 9:00am to 5:30pm. One of these days each week will be dedicated to university led study whilst in the office.
How you’ll make an impact
Good communication and organisational skills are vital to succeed as an apprentice. You will need the ability to manage a varied workload when working with different members of the team. It is also important to feel confident when using your own initiative, and being passionate about delivering the best service possible for your team and clients.
The successful candidate will have the following skills:
- Word and Excel capabilities
- Good written, presentation and numerical skills are essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Diligent and detail driven
- Able to work individually and as part of a team
- Punctual, reliable, keen and enthusiastic
- Thirst for knowledge and self-motivated
GCSE English and Maths at Level 4 (Grade C) or above is a mandatory requirement and you may not apply if you are currently studying for or already have a degree. You will also need a minimum of 96 UCAS points.
You must be eligible to live, work and remain in the UK, within 1 hour’s commute of the office you are applying to.
A driving license is essential.
Training
On completion, you will have a Level 6 Apprenticeship in Professional Forestry, BSc (Hons) Professional Forester, and the potential to be an accredited member of The Institute of Chartered Foresters.
Career development
We will provide the full suite of Savills training programme including mandatory health and safety and office training, as well as specific training relevant to your role.
We ensure that your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is current and that all staff are fully up to date with changes to legislation and business needs.
Benefits
- Permanent Contract for all apprentices, as opposed to a 5-year training contract
- Training costs covered
- Interest free season ticket loan
- Pension Scheme – Royal London
- 25 days annual leave
- Employee discounts - save money using our MyRewards on thousands of discounts and offers
- Pitch your idea to our Board via the Savills Dragons Den (Innovation and growth initiative)
- Sports activities (Hockey, Netball, Skiing, Rugby, Football, Cricket, Badminton & Squash)
- Employee Assistance Programme – A 24-hour service available to all staff and completely confidential
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- ShareSave - Save As You Earn share option scheme
- Company Mobile Phone
Assessment for this role
Application Form – CV and essay question (applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday 3rd November)
Assessment Centre – 20th or 21st February 2025 (date will be confirmed in due course), in London Head Office (33 Margaret Street, London, W1G OJD)
Interview – Dates following the Assessment Centre
Savills Culture
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf_-G1TlJBI
Savills is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. Our aim is that our teams will be truly representative of all sections of society and each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We attract, recruit and retain the best people in property. Right across the world, and in areas of property as diverse as real estate management and venture capital funding.
Please note, we will use your personal data to respond to your application. For further details, or to view our Privacy Notice or Group Equality & Diversity policy, see our website - savills.co.uk. Please note that all applications will be screened without your personal details on them. We will also ask you, as part of the application to complete a RARE contextual data form, in order to support our screening process and identify out performers.
Savills is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and is an accredited Living Wage Employer.
Savills is a signatory of the Race at Work Charter – committing to the equality of opportunity in the workplace for all.
