Programme Manager- Nature and Biodiversity

East Midlands Combined County Authority; Chesterfield; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

East Midlands Combined County Authority is seeking a Programme Manager – Nature & Biodiversity to lead the development and delivery of regional nature recovery initiatives. You will work across public, private and voluntary sectors to turn policy and strategy into practical projects, embedding environmental priorities across investment plans and strategies.

You will advise senior leaders, shape devolved powers, secure funding, and build collaborations with authorities, landowners, planners and

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering programmes or strategies relating to nature recovery, biodiversity, environmental management or a closely related field.
• Strong knowledge of nature and biodiversity policy.
• Excellent programme and project management skills.
• Experience building strategic partnerships and convening stakeholders across sectors.
• Experience securing funding or investment for environmental programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic nature and biodiversity programmes.
• Develop projects that support nature recovery, woodland creation, biodiversity enhancement and environmental resilience.
• Translate strategic priorities into deliverable programmes that create lasting environmental and economic benefits.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local authorities, government agencies, landowners, planners, environmental organisations, businesses and community groups.
• Convene stakeholders and collaborative partnerships to drive regional action and shared priorities.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities from public and private sector sources to support nature and biodiversity initiatives.
• Commission and manage research, studies and projects that inform future policy and investment.
• Deliver programmes arising from new Combined Authority responsibilities and emerging government policy.
• Monitor programme performance, governance, risk and evaluation to ensure successful delivery.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and presentations for senior leaders, the Mayor, the Green Growth Advisory Board and the Nature & Biodiversity Taskforce.
• Represent EMCCA at regional and national meetings, conferences and stakeholder events.

Skills

Programme management

Policy knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Funding experience

Education

Degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Location: East Midlands (Hybrid)

Directorate: Place

Reports to: Head of Climate Resilience & Nature

Help shape the future of nature recovery across the East Midlands.

The East Midlands has ambitious plans to restore nature, enhance biodiversity and create a more resilient natural environment that supports thriving communities and sustainable economic growth.

We're looking for a passionate and experienced Programme Manager – Nature & Biodiversity to lead the development and delivery of programmes that turn these ambitions into action.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence regional policy, secure investment, develop partnerships and deliver programmes that will leave a lasting environmental legacy for the East Midlands.

If you have experience in nature recovery or biodiversity, enjoy bringing organisations together and have a strong track record in programme management, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role

As Programme Manager, you'll lead the development and delivery of EMCCA's Nature & Biodiversity programme, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into practical projects and long‑term delivery.

Working across public, private and voluntary sectors, you'll develop programmes that support nature recovery, woodland creation and biodiversity while ensuring environmental priorities are embedded across the Combined Authority's wider strategies and investment plans.

You'll also play a key role in supporting the Nature & Biodiversity Taskforce, advising senior leaders and helping shape how devolved powers can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes across the region.

What you'll be doing

You'll:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic nature and biodiversity programmes.
• Develop projects that support nature recovery, woodland creation, biodiversity enhancement and environmental resilience.
• Translate strategic priorities into deliverable programmes that create lasting environmental and economic benefits.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local authorities, government agencies, landowners, planners, environmental organisations, businesses and community groups.
• Convene stakeholders and collaborative partnerships to drive regional action and shared priorities.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities from public and private sector sources to support nature and biodiversity initiatives.
• Commission and manage research, studies and projects that inform future policy and investment.
• Deliver programmes arising from new Combined Authority responsibilities and emerging government policy.
• Monitor programme performance, governance, risk and evaluation to ensure successful delivery.
• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and presentations for senior leaders, the Mayor, the Green Growth Advisory Board and the Nature & Biodiversity Taskforce.
• Represent EMCCA at regional and national meetings, conferences and stakeholder events.

What we’re looking for

We're looking for someone who combines excellent programme management skills with strong policy and delivery knowledge of nature recovery and biodiversity.

• Proven experience delivering programmes or strategies relating to nature recovery, biodiversity, environmental management or a closely related field.
• Strong knowledge of nature and biodiversity policy together with experience of delivering practical environmental programmes.
• Excellent programme and project management skills, with experience delivering complex initiatives involving multiple partners.
• Experience building strategic partnerships and convening stakeholders across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to senior leaders and external partners.
• Experience commissioning and managing programmes or projects within governance and value-for-money frameworks.
• Strong financial awareness and commercial understanding.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience securing public and/or private sector funding or investment for environmental programmes.
• Membership of a relevant professional body or evidence of continuing professional development.

This is an opportunity to help shape one of the region’s most important environmental programmes while contributing to a greener, more resilient and more prosperous East Midlands.

You’ll work with a wide range of partners to influence policy, attract investment and deliver practical action that restores nature, supports biodiversity and creates lasting benefits for communities across the region.

At EMCCA, our values guide everything we do:

• Lifting our region – creating long‑term benefits for our people, places and environment.
• Working together – building trusted partnerships and bringing organisations together around shared goals.
• Making an impact – turning ambitious environmental priorities into successful delivery.
• Being human – leading with authenticity, respect and inclusion.

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine strategic thinking with practical programme delivery and make a lasting contribution to nature recovery across the East Midlands, we’d love to hear from you.