Estate Manager & Gamekeeper

Job Vacancy: Estate Manager & Gamekeeper

Location: Invermarkie Estate, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Position: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive (Dependent on experience) + Tied Accommodation & Package

Reporting To: Estate Owners

About Invermarkie Estate

Invermarkie Estate is an attractive, diverse estate situated in Aberdeenshire. Spanning agricultural holdings, forestry, river frontage, and a growing portfolio of high-end short-term holiday accommodation, the estate maintains a strong commitment to traditional field sports alongside sustainable land management and premium rural hospitality.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly self-motivated, and professional to take on the management of the estate. You will oversee day-to-day estate operations, lead wildlife and land management activities, maintain high-end holiday let properties alongside our Holiday Let & Hospitality Manager, and deliver an exceptional experience for staying guests and sporting visitors.

Role Overview

This combined role demands a unique balance of practical estate management and gamekeeping expertise with administrative competence. The successful candidate will be fully responsible for property maintenance, overseeing estate contractors, driven & walked-up game bird management, predator and pest control, deer management, compliance, and shoot-day logistics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Estate Management & Administration

• Property & Infrastructure Maintenance: Perform and oversee maintenance across all estate properties, project work, tracks, fencing, game pens, bridges, and boundary structures.
• Contractor & Staff Oversight: Arrange seasonal staff and manage external contractors (building repairs, agricultural, forestry).
• Budgeting & Compliance: Maintain day-to-day operational budgets, keep detailed records of property and machinery maintenance logs.

Game & Wildlife Management

• Game Bird Management: Release pheasant, partridge and duck stock (c.5,000 birds) maintain feeding stations, and prevent disease or predation.
• Deer Stalking & Control: Manage red and roe deer populations, maintaining accurate records, carcase handling hygiene.
• Pest & Predator Control: Implement lawful, humane pest control measures (foxes, corvids, rodent control) in strict alignment with Scottish wildlife legislation and SGA best practice guidelines.
• Sporting & Event Logistics: Organise, host, and run estate driven shoot days (c.12 per annum 100-150 bird days), walked-up shooting, and occasional stalking outings for owners, family, and let guests, organising ghillie for fishing, supervising beaters, pickers-up, and ensuring absolute safety standards.

Candidate Profile & Requirements

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Experience: Proven experience in a single-handed or head gamekeeper / estate supervisor role.
• Certificates & Licenses:
  • Valid UK Firearms & Shotgun Certificates.
  • Full, clean UK Driving Licence.
  • DSC1 (Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1) — DSC2 highly desirable.
  • Trained Food Handler / Game Meat Hygiene Certificate.
  • Tractor / Quad Bike Certificates.
  • Chainsaw Certificate (CS30 / CS31 or equivalent) for routine tree maintenance.
• Qualifications: SVQ/NC/HNC in Gamekeeping & Wildlife Management or Countryside Management (or equivalent practical experience).

Personal Attributes

• High standard of personal integrity, discretion, and diplomatic communication skills when interacting with guests, landowners, and the public.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on skills in general maintenance, machinery and fencing.
• Self-reliant with the physical fitness and resilience required to work in demanding weather conditions and flexible seasonal hours.
• Working gun dogs fully trained.

Remuneration & Benefits Package

• Salary: Competitive with bonus, commensurate with experience.
• Accommodation: High-quality, modern, tied 3-bedroom estate cottage provided free of rent, situated on the estate with private garden and kennels.
• Vehicle: Dedicated estate 4×4 / pickup provided for official duties.
• Allowances: Dog allowance, essential safety gear/clothing allowance, council tax and home heating.
• Pension: Enrolment into the estate workplace pension scheme.

This position would suit a couple or family. A separate part-time role is available for a partner interested in housekeeping of the holiday cottages, and applications from couples are welcome. Please indicate in your application if this is of interest.