Estate Shepherd

Name: Burghley House
Price range: $

Type of Contract: Full-time

About the Burghley Estate

The Burghley Estate is a diverse rural and commercial business centred on the historic town of Stamford, Lincolnshire. The Estate extends to approximately 12,000 acres and includes a significant property portfolio, in-hand farming, sporting interests, forestry, hospitality and a busy programme of events.

At the heart of the Estate is Burghley House, a Grade I listed Elizabethan house set within approximately 1,500 acres of historic parkland. The parkland is an important part of the Estate's landscape and biodiversity, as well as being used for grazing, public access, sporting activities and a busy programme of events.

Burghley has an established in-hand sheep enterprise, with livestock playing an important role in maintaining the character and ecological value of the parkland.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced, self-motivated and conservation-minded Shepherd to take overall day-to-day responsibility for the Estate's sheep flock and a small herd of British White cattle.

The flock was established in 2018 and has been successfully managed by our current contract shepherds for the past eight years. As they are now moving on, we are looking for an experienced livestock professional to take the flock forward.

The flock currently comprises approximately 600 Llyen and Welsh Hill Speckled Face ewes – managed across approximately 700 acres of parkland grazing, together with additional over-winter grazing on adjoining arable land and several other grass parcels.

Alongside the sheep enterprise, the Shepherd will be responsible for the day-to-day management of a small herd of British White cattle, currently around 10 youngstock, which are primarily used for environmental and conservation grazing.

This is a hands-on livestock role, requiring someone who combines sound practical shepherding skills with a modern, conservation-led approach to grazing management. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable working independently while also collaborating closely with colleagues across a diverse, multi-enterprise rural estate.

The role is full-time and requires flexibility to meet the seasonal and welfare demands of livestock, including early starts, weekends and out-of-hours working when necessary.

We are open to discussing either an employed or contract arrangement with the right candidate, with the terms and remuneration reflecting the basis of engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Sheep & Flock Management

Take overall day-to-day responsibility for the health, welfare and husbandry of approximately 600 breeding ewes.
Manage the closed-flock breeding system, including mating the Welsh Hill Speckled Face ewes to Lleyn rams to produce the Estate's own replacement females.
Plan and deliver the annual flock calendar, including tupping, scanning, lambing, weaning, shearing, dipping/fly control, foot care and routine health treatments.
Maintain flock genetics and make appropriate selection and culling decisions to support long-term flock improvement and self-sufficiency in replacements.
Monitor flock nutrition and condition scoring throughout the grazing season and over winter.
Manage the sale of finished lambs, ewe lambs and cull ewes.
Work with the Estate's developing farm shop enterprise to help deliver high-quality lamb and other livestock produce for sale.

Cattle Management

Take day-to-day responsibility for the Estate's British White cattle herd, currently around 10 youngstock, primarily managed for environmental and conservation grazing.
Oversee herd health, welfare, movements and TB testing in accordance with statutory requirements.
Ensure appropriate records are maintained for cattle movements, health and welfare.
Grazing & Conservation Management
Deliver a conservation-led grazing strategy across approximately 700 acres of parkland and associated habitats, balancing livestock production with biodiversity, sward and habitat management objectives.
Plan and manage grazing rotations to achieve both livestock and conservation objectives.
Coordinate additional over-winter grazing on adjoining arable land and other grass parcels.
Work closely with the Estate's Land & Property team to ensure grazing supports Countryside Stewardship, SFI or equivalent environmental scheme obligations and wider habitat and landscape management plans.
Monitor and maintain fencing, water supplies and other grazing infrastructure required to support effective rotational and conservation grazing.
Contribute practical livestock knowledge to the Estate's wider approach to land and nature management.

Health, Welfare & Compliance

Ensure all livestock activities comply with applicable animal welfare legislation and relevant assurance standards.
Maintain accurate flock and herd records, including movement records, medicine records, lambing records and relevant performance data.
Maintain high standards of livestock welfare, biosecurity and husbandry.
Liaise with vets, foot trimmers, shearers and other specialist contractors as required.
Ensure livestock movements and statutory requirements are completed accurately and on time.

Working Across the Estate

Work collaboratively with other Estate departments, including the Events team and game shooting operation, to plan grazing, stock movements and land access around events, shoot days and visitor activity.
Communicate proactively with the Land & Property team and other Estate colleagues to coordinate the shared use of parkland and resolve potential conflicts between livestock, sporting, events and visitor activity.
Represent the Estate professionally when dealing with visitors, tenants, neighbouring landowners, contractors and other stakeholders.

General & Seasonal Responsibilities

Safely operate and maintain machinery, livestock handling equipment, quad bikes, tractors and stock trailers.
Manage livestock at markets and sales as required, including the presentation and safe transport of animals.
Undertake reasonable livestock-related estate and countryside management duties as required, particularly during quieter periods of the livestock calendar.
Support the training and supervision of casual or seasonal staff, including lambing assistants, when required.
Maintain a safe, tidy and professional working environment across livestock facilities and grazing areas.

Person Specification

Essential

We are looking for an experienced livestock professional with:

Proven, hands-on experience shepherding a commercial flock of comparable scale.
Strong practical livestock knowledge, sound judgement and a good work ethic.
Experience of cattle husbandry, ideally including native or traditional breeds managed for conservation grazing.
A sound understanding of conservation grazing principles and their application to parkland and environmental scheme land.
A full, clean driving licence and competence in operating quad bikes, tractors and livestock trailers.
A good working knowledge of livestock health, welfare and relevant assurance requirements.
Excellent communication and team-working skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with a range of stakeholders.
A flexible and reliable approach, with a willingness to work unsociable hours during peak livestock periods.
The ability to work independently, take responsibility and make sound practical decisions.

Desirable

A relevant agricultural qualification, such as Level 2 or Level 3 Agriculture, Sheep/Cattle Husbandry, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience working within Countryside Stewardship, SFI or another environmental land management scheme.
Experience of working on a mixed-use estate incorporating sporting, events or visitor operations.
First Aid at Work and/or relevant health and safety training.
Experience of working with a closed flock and selecting replacements for a self-sustaining breeding system.

What We Offer

A full-time position within the Burghley Estate.
The opportunity to take responsibility for an established flock within one of England's most distinctive historic parkland landscapes.
The opportunity to develop a livestock enterprise with a strong conservation and environmental focus.
Accommodation and vehicle provided.
The opportunity to work closely with colleagues across farming, land management, conservation, events and other Estate enterprises.

How to Apply

If you would like further information or wish to apply, please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@burghley.co.uk by 12 October 2026.

We encourage early applications and reserve the right to close the advert if a high number of suitable applications is received.

We welcome applications from individuals of underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We look forward to hearing from you.