Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of People & Governance

at Butterfly Conservation

🏢 About Butterfly Conservation

Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths, and their habitats. Working there means contributing directly to biodiversity conservation through science, advocacy, and community engagement, with a passionate team committed to reversing species decline. The organization offers a unique opportunity to combine professional HR/governance expertise with meaningful environmental impact.

About This Role

As Head of People & Governance, you'll lead the CEO Office team, overseeing People Services, Governance, and Executive Support functions in a part-time, remote capacity. This role is impactful because you'll shape organizational culture, ensure robust governance for a conservation charity, and enable staff to deliver Butterfly Conservation's mission effectively. You'll serve as a key strategic advisor to the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning virtual meetings with the CEO Office team to coordinate People Services delivery, followed by reviewing governance documents for an upcoming trustee meeting. Afternoon could include developing remote work policies aligned with conservation fieldwork needs, then advising SLT on organizational development initiatives. The flexible hours allow for deep focus work on strategic projects balanced with responsive support to staff across the UK.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Butterfly Conservation Is Looking For

  • Experienced HR/People leader with charity or non-profit sector background, particularly in environmental/conservation organizations
  • Proven ability to develop and implement People Services strategies in a remote/hybrid work environment with flexible hours
  • Strong governance expertise including board support, compliance, and policy development for a UK charity
  • Demonstrated leadership managing multidisciplinary teams (People Services, Governance, Executive Support) with budget responsibility

📝 Tips for Applying to Butterfly Conservation

1

Highlight specific experience with charity governance structures and trustee boards, as this is a core responsibility

2

Demonstrate understanding of remote team management in the conservation sector, not just generic remote work experience

3

Quantify achievements in People Services with metrics relevant to non-profits (e.g., staff retention in mission-driven organizations, diversity initiatives in environmental charities)

4

Show how you've balanced strategic leadership with hands-on delivery in a part-time or flexible role structure

5

Reference Butterfly Conservation's specific conservation priorities (butterflies, moths, habitats) to show genuine interest in their mission

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience leading People functions in conservation/environmental charities or similar mission-driven organizations', 'Specific examples of developing and implementing governance frameworks for charitable boards and committees', "How you've successfully managed remote/hybrid teams while maintaining strong organizational culture", 'Your approach to balancing strategic leadership with operational delivery in a part-time senior role']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Butterfly Conservation's current conservation priorities and recent campaigns (State of UK Butterflies reports, specific species recovery programs)
  • → The charity's organizational structure, current leadership team, and board of trustees
  • → Recent news about Butterfly Conservation's workplace culture, diversity initiatives, or governance developments
  • → Challenges facing UK conservation charities regarding funding, volunteer management, and policy influence

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you develop a People strategy that supports Butterfly Conservation's specific conservation goals while managing remote staff?
2 Describe your experience supporting charity governance structures, including working with trustees and ensuring regulatory compliance
3 How would you handle a sensitive HR issue in a conservation charity where staff are deeply passionate about the mission?
4 What metrics would you use to measure the effectiveness of the People Services function in this specific organization?
5 How would you balance the three specialist areas (People Services, Governance, Executive Support) with limited hours (0.8 FTE)?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only corporate HR experience without demonstrating understanding of charity sector nuances
  • Focusing solely on People Services without addressing governance and executive support responsibilities
  • Proposing generic HR solutions without considering Butterfly Conservation's specific conservation mission and remote work structure
  • Failing to acknowledge the part-time nature of the role and how you'd manage senior leadership responsibilities within 29.6 hours weekly

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Butterfly Conservation!

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