Projects & Programme Senior Specialist

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave (33 days)

Professional development

Health & wellbeing benefits

Weekly wellbeing hour

Job summary

Natural Resources Wales is seeking a Senior Specialist within the Projects and Programme Delivery team to lead nationally significant projects across Wales. You will govern projects, manage multidisciplinary teams and oversee multi-year programmes delivering lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.

In this role, you’ll ensure governance, budgets, risk and performance, while maintaining a balance between work and life.

Qualifications

• Educated to a minimum of degree level in engineering or related technical subject.
• Chartered professional status in relevant field (ICE/CIWEM/RICS).
• PRINCE2 Practitioner status.
• Proven technical expertise delivering major projects or programmes.
• Full, current UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Provide governance for projects in line with PRINCE2.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams to deliver sustainable solutions.
• Deliver multi-million pound contracts with due diligence and governance.
• Present business cases to Business Boards for approval.
• Sign off project products to meet objectives within budget and quality.
• Guide Project Managers in NEC contracts and sustainable procurement.
• Ensure CDM and health and safety compliance in all capital projects.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Governance & compliance

Risk management

Full UK driving licence

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Chartered status (ICE/CIWEM/RICS)

PRINCE2 Practitioner

Job description

The role

Are you ready to lead projects that will shape the future of Wales for generations to come? At Natural Resources Wales, we believe the decisions we make today should create a better Wales tomorrow. This role offers a rare opportunity to lead major projects that deliver lasting benefits for communities, the environment and future generations.

As a Senior Specialist within our Projects and Programme Delivery team, you'll lead the delivery of complex and nationally significant projects across Wales. From reducing flood risk and restoring rivers to improving critical infrastructure and enhancing our natural environment, you'll oversee work that leaves a visible and lasting legacy for communities, businesses and the natural environment.

This is an opportunity to use your professional expertise to make a tangible difference. Working across a diverse portfolio of engineering, infrastructure and environmental projects, you'll have the opportunity to lead substantial, often multi-year programmes that deliver lasting benefits across Wales. From major flood risk management schemes, river restoration, reservoir safety improvements and infrastructure development across the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, you'll apply and develop your expertise across some of the country's most significant environmental projects.

You'll provide leadership throughout the project lifecycle, bringing together multidisciplinary teams, partners, contractors and stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes. Alongside responsibility for programme governance, budgets, risk and performance, you'll play a key role in ensuring projects achieve long-term environmental, social and economic benefits.

We recognise that we may not always compete with the financial rewards offered elsewhere. What we can offer is something many professionals find equally valuable: the opportunity to remain true to the reasons they entered the profession in the first place. Here, you'll see first‑hand how your leadership improves places, protects communities and enhances the environment. You'll continue to learn, tackle new challenges and work across an unusually varied portfolio, while maintaining a healthier balance between work and life.

This role is ideal for someone with significant project delivery experience who wants more than the successful completion of a project. It is for someone who wants to look back in ten years' time and see thriving communities, healthier rivers and a more resilient Wales, knowing their leadership helped make it happen.

Whether you're already based in Wales, looking to return home, or seeking a role where your expertise can make a genuine difference, this is your opportunity to deliver work that matters today and will still matter decades from now.

This is more than project delivery. It's an opportunity to help build the Wales that future generations deserve.

A full UK driving licence is essential for this role. The position involves regular travel to project and construction sites, many of which are located in remote areas that are not accessible by public transport. You will also be required to carry personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment needed for site visits, making access to a vehicle a key requirement of the role.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Merrissa Fallas at [e-mail].

Interviews will be face to face on 12/11/2026 (details of location will be shared in advance).

About Us

At Natural Resources Wales, our purpose is to sustainably manage Wales' natural resources so that people, places and nature can thrive together. Everything we do is guided by a long‑term vision, helping to create a more resilient Wales for current and future generations.

Our Projects and Programme Delivery team leads some of the most diverse and rewarding projects in the country. Few organisations can offer the opportunity to improve flood resilience, restore rivers, enhance habitats, deliver critical infrastructure and respond to the challenges of climate change, all within a single portfolio.

We're proud of the supportive and collaborative culture we've built. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who care deeply about the impact of their work and are committed to helping each other succeed.

We also recognise that a rewarding career should not come at the expense of life outside work. That's why we offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements, generous annual leave and a strong commitment to wellbeing, enabling our people to build meaningful careers while maintaining a healthy work‑life balance.

If you're looking for a role where the legacy you leave matters as much as the projects you deliver, we'd love to hear from you.

What You Will Do

• Ensure appropriate governance for projects in line with PRINCE2 methodology.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams for complex projects with both internal and external project team members to achieve sustainable solutions.
• Be the lead accountable professional for delivering multi-million pound contracts making sure due diligence and governance are in line with NRW policies and procedures.
• Present business cases to Business Boards for approval,
• As Projects and Programme Delivery's (PPD) portfolio lead, sign off the project's products (e.g. business case, communications plan, budget forecast, risk register, reports, designs, technical notes) ensuring the project is achieving the agreed objectives to the agreed quality standards within budgetary and programme tolerances.
• Must be able to independently solve problems by considering different methods within the guidance of defined procedures and frameworks and deciding the most appropriate to use.
• Ensure all capital projects are planned, managed and delivered in accordance with Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and relevant Health and Safety legislation, and following Health and Safety best practice for designing out, treating and managing risks in construction projects.
• Ensure that Procurement Strategies for engaging external services comply with NRW's 'Managing our Money' and consider NRW's commercial liabilities to achieve best value.
• Lead and advise Project Managers in their management of New Engineering contracts (NEC). e.g. Professional Services Contract (PSC), Engineering Construction Contract (ECC), Engineering Construction Short Contract (ECSC).
• Present complex issues to a range of key stakeholders including the public, community action groups, MPs and Assembly Members.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy , together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.

• Educated to a minimum of degree level in engineering or related technical subject.
• Chartered Professional Status in your relevant field, such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Status.
• Proven technical expertise within your specialist field, with experience leading and directing multidisciplinary teams on complex engineering projects.
• Significant relevant experience delivering major projects or programmes in a similar environment.
• A full, current UK driving licence.

Welsh Language level requirements

• Essential: Level A2 - Elementary level

Welsh language levels

Please note, if you do not meet the Welsh language level requirements for this role your application will not be considered.

Additional Information

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

This role meets the criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. Natural Resources Wales welcomes applications from non-UK citizens who are eligible to apply under this route, subject to confirmation by the Home Office.

Please note that while we may be able to support the Certificate of Sponsorship required for a visa application, the organisation does not cover the cost of the visa itself, including any associated fees for dependants.

The applicant must still meet the UK Skilled Worker Visa Eligibility and Requirement. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Benefits

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

Please keep reading

We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equal opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.

We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.

You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English, and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who want to work full-time, part-time, or job share.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the closing date to apply.