Nature Finance Business Development Lead

How can organisations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of nature finance, biodiversity disclosure and environmental markets with confidence?

From emerging nature-related disclosure frameworks such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) to the growth of Biodiversity Net Gain and early biodiversity credit markets, organisations are increasingly seeking trusted scientific expertise to inform business and investment decisions. UKCEH is uniquely positioned to meet this demand, bringing together some of the UK's leading expertise in ecosystem assessment, species monitoring, land use change and nature-based solutions, underpinned by world-class environmental science and data.

As our Nature Finance Business Development Lead, you will play a pivotal role in unlocking the commercial potential of UKCEH's science, helping organisations navigate emerging nature and biodiversity frameworks while creating opportunities for scientific impact at scale. Acting as UKCEH's lead commercial representative within the nature finance sector, you will build strategic relationships with corporates, financial institutions, government organisations and nature market developers, identifying where our scientific expertise can deliver meaningful value.

Working closely with scientists, research leaders and commercial colleagues, the post-holder will lead business development activities, develop strategic partnerships and grow a strong pipeline of commercial opportunities across the evolving nature finance market. Nature finance is the primary focus, but you will also pursue adjacent opportunities in environmental data, land use and natural capital where UKCEH's science is a strong fit. Combining commercial acumen with excellent relationship-building and communication skills, you will translate market needs into impactful scientific solutions, helping to position UKCEH at the forefront of environmental innovation while supporting nature recovery and sustainable economic growth.

What we're looking for

This is a business development role first. We are looking for someone who knows how to originate, develop and close commercial work in a technical or B2B environment, for example in environmental consultancy, geospatial or data products, ESG, carbon or natural capital markets. You will also bring a good working knowledge of nature finance and the frameworks shaping it, and the curiosity to keep deepening it. You won't need to be the technical expert: you will work alongside UKCEH's in-house nature finance scientists and data specialists, who provide the scientific depth.

Your priorities in the first 12 to 18 months

Nature finance is a young market, and we expect income to build over time. In your first 12 to 18 months, your priorities will be to:

• Identify and take a number of priority UKCEH offers to market, such as monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) services for nature markets and high-resolution land cover data products.
• Build a qualified pipeline of opportunities with corporates, financial institutions, nature market developers and government.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships, coordinating UKCEH's offer across teams.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Strategic external representation & market positioning

• Act as UKCEH's lead business development representative in nature finance and biodiversity markets, engaging senior stakeholders across financial institutions, corporates, government, NGOs and market developers.
• Represent UKCEH at conferences, working groups, investor forums and client meetings to raise profile and generate commercial opportunities.
• Build and maintain a strategic network across sustainability, ESG, finance, investment and nature market sectors.
• Stay informed on emerging developments and opportunities including TNFD, SBTN, Biodiversity Net Gain, biodiversity credits and nature-based solutions investment.
• Provide market intelligence and strategic insight to support UKCEH's commercial and scientific planning.

Commercial Pipeline Ownership & Income Generation

• Own and manage a commercial pipeline spanning contract research, strategic partnerships, advisory services, data products and collaborative programmes.
• Identify, develop and convert opportunities into commercial agreements and income.
• Work towards agreed pipeline and income targets, which will build as the market matures, providing regular pipeline forecasts and progress updates to senior leaders.
• Develop compelling commercial propositions that align market needs with UKCEH's scientific expertise.

Shaping Commercial Deals & Partnership Agreements

• Lead commercial discussions with partners and clients, agreeing the scope, value and commercial shape of each opportunity, and develop pricing with Finance colleagues.
• Support the development of commercial proposals, bids and partnership opportunities aligned to organisational priorities.
• Assess opportunities with sound judgement, ensuring alignment with UKCEH's values, scientific integrity and reputation.
• Work with Licensing & IPR and Contracts colleagues, who lead on agreement drafting, IP and licensing terms and contract management, to secure agreements that deliver commercial value while protecting UKCEH's independence and credibility.

Strategic Partnership Development

• Build and strengthen long-term relationships with corporates, financial institutions, government organisations and nature market stakeholders.
• Act as lead relationship manager for key accounts, ensuring a coordinated and high-quality experience across UKCEH.
• Identify opportunities for co-funded programmes, commercial partnerships and wider income generation.
• Collaborate with fundraising and business development colleagues to maximise strategic opportunities.

Cross-UKCEH Commercial Coordination

• Coordinate commercial activity across teams, ensuring a consistent approach to the nature finance market.
• Contribute to business development and pipeline discussions, supporting collaboration across commercial and fundraising teams.
• Maintain accurate records of commercial activity and stakeholder engagement within UKCEH's CRM systems.
• Contribute commercial insight and market intelligence to science area leadership and organisational strategy development.

Who you'll work with

You won't be doing this alone. You will lead customer engagement, opportunity development and the commercial relationship with each client, from first conversation to long-term account. Specialist teams across UKCEH will work alongside you:

• Licensing & IPR lead on agreement drafting, IP and licensing terms, and contract management after the deal. You agree the commercial shape of each deal with them.
• Finance work with you to develop pricing and costing, and manage invoicing and income.
• Contracts review and approve agreements and manage governance sign-off.
• The Project Management Office supports mobilisation and delivery once work is won.
• Fundraising lead on philanthropic opportunities, and you hand over where a corporate relationship has that potential.
• Business Development colleagues across UKCEH coordinate the wider income pipeline, so that UKCEH presents a joined-up offer.
• UKCEH scientists, including our nature finance scientists and data specialists, provide the scientific depth behind every proposition.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A proven track record of originating, developing and closing commercial work in a technical or B2B environment (for example environmental consultancy, geospatial or data products, ESG, carbon or natural capital markets), with evidence of generating income or partnership value.
• A good working knowledge of the nature finance landscape and how organisations are responding to it, including frameworks and markets such as TNFD, SBTN, Biodiversity Net Gain, biodiversity credits and nature-based solutions.
• Experience managing a commercial pipeline and building long-term client or partner relationships.
• Experience working with or selling the work of scientific, research or technical specialists, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into compelling commercial propositions.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage senior leaders across business, finance, policy and scientific communities.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and the ability to identify opportunities that align with organisational goals and values.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing, bid development and presenting to senior audiences.

It would be great if you also have:

• An established network in nature finance, green finance, corporate sustainability or land use investment.
• Experience of public sector grant bids or match-funded programmes.

What we offer

At UKCEH, we recognise your dedication and provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you both at work and at home. When you join us, you'll benefit from:

• Generous annual leave - 27 days (rising to 29 days after 5 years) + 3 days for Christmas closure
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Financial protection through life assurance and income protection
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Flexible and hybrid working options (depending on your role)
• Lifestyle perks including dental, gym, retail and cycling discounts
• A commitment to wellbeing, supported by a range of internal initiatives
• Employee Assistance Programme and health benefits, including 24/7 support with remote GP access, mental health, physiotherapy and lifestyle services
• Peer recognition and rewards that celebrate your contribution
• Salary sacrifice agreement benefits including Electric & Plug-in Hybrid vehicle and Cycle2Work schemes
• Interest-free annual travel season ticket loans (terms apply)

How to apply and what happens next

If you're interested in this role, we'd love to hear from you. You'll be directed to our Workday portal where you'll create an account and upload your CV and a cover letter (approx. 8 mins). Your responses are an important part of our assessment process, so please take the time to complete them thoughtfully:

• A cover letter: Use clear, concise examples that demonstrate your achievements, relevant experience, skills and your motivation for joining UKCEH. Please include one example of a commercial opportunity you originated and closed, and what you learned from it.
• Once submitted, our panel will review your application, and please be assured that we are committed to providing an outcome for all applicants, regardless of the result.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At UKCEH, we believe everyone should feel welcome and able to be themselves at work. We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. As a Disability Confident employer, we're happy to support you with any adjustments you may need throughout the recruitment process.

Please note: unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role and this does not qualify for endorsement to support a Global Talent Visa application. If you are considering pursuing self-sponsorship, please indicate this in your application so we can take it into account during the recruitment process.

If we've just described you, we'd love to meet. Apply now.

About Us

Every one of our 600+ staff and 50+ postgraduate students plays a vital role in delivering our ambition to understand the environment and the human impact on it, so that together people and nature can prosper.

How we work is just as important as what we achieve. We want UKCEH to be a welcoming, inclusive, engaging and collaborative place to work. We embed our values - excellence, integrity and teamwork - into everything we do.