Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is on the hunt for a new leader.

And if a role championing our wildlife doesn't wag your tail, the salary might prick up your ears: the wildlife charity is offering remuneration in the region of £80,000.

From its HQ at Robinswood Hill Country Park, near Matson, the Trust manages more than 1,000 hectares of nature reserves and works with farmers and landowners across the county, its operation funded with the help of 28,000 members.

Recruitment agency Prospect Us, which is managing the quest, describes the job as "an incredible opportunity to work for a values-driven organisation with big ambitions and the passion to achieve.

"If you have the fire in your belly to lead a Wildlife Trust that punches above its weight and works at scale and pace to deliver its strategy, then we would very much like to hear from you."

The new appointee will fill the shoes of Roger Mortlock, who led the Trust from 2013 after working for the environment partnership UK2000, having fulfilled previous roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Nursing, the NHS and Community Service Volunteers.

Mr Mortlock also balanced his role with GWT with work as vice-chair of the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership, chairing the Soil Association Land Trust and working as a trustee of the Bat Conservation Trust and Hawkwood College.

Prospect Us added: "The new Chief Executive will be a creative and confident leader and the principal external 'face' of the Trust. They will have the experience and drive to lead the delivery of the strategy, and be an inspirational communicator to help continue to increase their profile in the county and beyond.

"We are seeking entrepreneurial candidates with strong relationship-building skills both internally and externally, excellent strategic leadership skills, a proven track record of delivering high impact strategic plans and who are passionate about wildlife, nature conservation and environmental matters."

Candidate need extensive experience of "managing leading pivotal organisational change projects" and require significant senior management experience in a similar sized and similarly complex organisation".

The Trust is also currently seeking four more newcomers, including an Engagement Projects Officer (£22,500) and a Communications Officer (£20,000).

A recent study by the Third Sector found that while the median high earner salary among the top 100 charities was £185,000 in 2017 and 2019, in 2021 it had jumped to £205,000.

Addressing allegations of charity boss "fat cats", Birmingham University's Professor John Mohan recently urged a balanced perspective.

"If you're thinking about giving money to a charity, consider its impact and effectiveness in the round, and don't focus on a single indicator such as how much it pays its chief executive," he said.