Project Manager

NATIONAL TRUST; Stroud; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A heritage conservation organization is seeking a Project Manager for the Common Connections project in the Cotswolds. You'll lead project management efforts, working closely with partners and stakeholders to develop landscape-scale solutions. Your role includes establishing governance for funding applications, fostering community engagement, and driving conservation initiatives. The position requires strong project management and stakeholder experience along with a passion for nature restoration. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact in conservation efforts.

Benefits

Pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience of project management within frameworks.
• Strong organizational skills in managing project workstreams.
• Experience delivering large, externally funded projects.
• Competent writing briefs and commissioning work.
• Knowledge in nature recovery and landscape conservation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Common Connections application.
• Build partnerships with stakeholders and community groups.
• Identify funding opportunities for project feasibility.
• Consult with communities on landscape engagement.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Fundraising

Nature conservation

Community engagement

Job description

Important notice

In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.

The Common Connections project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we are recruiting for a Project Manager.

Are you passionate about restoring nature at scale? We're embarking on an ambitious journey to create a thriving, connected landscape along 37 km of the Cotswold escarpment— connecting habitats from Cleeve Common toSelsleyCommon - the Commons Connections project.

We are seeking a Project Manager to work on the development phase of the Common Connections project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. As Project Manager, you will be working for an exciting new partnership between the Cotswolds National Landscape, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. You will play a pivotal leadership role in the partnership to make the vision a reality by identifying long-term solutions for change that will help shape and deliver this transformational landscape-scale project - enabling both people and nature to thrive.

This role is delivered in partnership with Cotswold National Landscape and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Representatives from these organisations will be actively involved in the shortlisting and interview process to ensure a collaborative approach and shared vision for the role.

What it's like to work here

Hosted by the National Trust, you’ll be joining a fast-paced and motivated team committed to landscape-scale conservation– a commitment shared by our partners at Cotswolds National Landscape and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. You’ll work closely with the partners, always being ready to go the extra mile and supporting the partnership to achieve great things.

This is a brilliant opportunity for you to bring your project management and experience to make a positive difference to the Cotswolds landscape. Your enthusiasm, pace and passion for your work will shine through in all you do.

What you'll be doing:

• You’ll have a passion for developing high profile nature and landscape projects alongside quality stakeholder engagement.
• You will build positive partnerships and relationships with others, including landowners and community groups.
• You’ll also have a strong eye for land management practices and business modelling, identifying external funding opportunities and commissioning reports as part of feasibility work.

People also play a big part in the landscape, and you’ll help the partnership to understand the disconnect between people and nature by engaging with communities to help shape the Common Connections project.

Reporting to the National Trust’s Restore Nature Delivery Manager and the new Partnership Board, you’ll work closely with and alongside the three partners to build resilience and capacity to lead the delivery of this Lottery funded project. You will work directly with the partners and facilitate cross-organisation working, bringing positivity and energy. Being a people person, you’ll manage relationships with specialist contractors, staff, volunteers, trustees, visitors and community groups.

The key deliverable of this project is to prepare and submit the full Commons Connections application to the Heritage Fund. In doing so you will:

• Establish and finalise governance structures for a full Common Connections application with Cotswolds National Landscape, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust, including convening a project board.
• Complete an information audit among project partners.
• Develop a project vision and theory of change for a full Common Connections application.
• Undertake stakeholder mapping.
• Explore different volunteering models and opportunities.
• Consult with communities and visitors to understand what people value about the area, what the barriers to access are, and how people want to engage with the landscape.
• Appoint a consultant to complete a feasibility study of conservation grazing services.
• Appoint a consultant to help finalise the full Common Connections application.
• Appoint a consultant to complete an evaluation of the project and measure capacity building impact.

You will be based across all three partner offices (Ebworth, Marsden & Gloucester) with some site work required.

Who we're looking for

Project management:

• Experience of project management and working within project management frameworks
• Strong organisational skills including experience of managing project workstreams and contractors
• Experience of working on and delivering a large, high profile externally funded project

Stakeholder management:

• Experience of writing briefs and commissioning pieces of work
• Competency with writing reports and presenting them to different stakeholders
• Experience of working with partners and stakeholders to deliver nature and community outcomes

Fundraising:

• Experience of working with funders and writing large bid applications

Nature & people:

• Knowledge of policy and practice in Nature recovery and Landscape conservation
• Experience of nature conservation and working with partners to deliver landscape-scale outputs
• Experience of community engagement

We welcome applications from people who are from ethnically diverse backgrounds or who are living with health conditions or disabilities.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programmeY
• Free parking at most Trust places