Catchment Partnership Project Delivery Manager

Are you a dynamic individual with project management skills, looking for your next challenge? Do you wish to make a real difference to the health of our riverscapes? This could be the role for you. 

As hosts for the Arun and Western Streams Catchment Partnership, the Western Sussex Rivers Trust aspire to further harness the potential of this expert group, executing more projects to create tangible improvements in our riverscapes. As members of the Catchment Partnership, Southern Water share this ambition to drive forward projects that have a positive impact on the environment and local communities, achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Catchment Partnership Project Delivery Manager will work collaboratively with the Catchment Partnership and Southern Water Catchment Management team to develop and execute projects that improve water quality, restore rivers and safeguard water resource resilience. This role combines environmental expertise and knowledge of the challenges facing our water environment with project management skills to ensure the successful planning, execution, and completion of such projects.

The role will enable coordinated project planning between Southern Water and the Catchment Partnerships. The process will lead to the creation and delivery of a shared project pipeline and plan. The post holder will go on to manage elements of the project programme as appropriate. A leading contribution to existing collaborative projects will be a significant part of the role.

Principal Responsibilities: 

• Work with the Catchment Partnership and Southern Water catchment managers to understand shared goals and develop a pipeline of potential collaborative projects.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, considering the environmental, regulatory, and community factors that may affect the project. Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget.
• Develop a deep understanding of the catchment, including its ecology, hydrology, and environmental challenges. Stay updated on relevant scientific and environmental developments.
• Plan and execute projects to restore or enhance the catchment, such as wetland restoration, erosion control, or pollution reduction.
• Ensure that all project activities adhere to environmental regulations. Secure permits and approvals as needed and maintain compliance throughout the project's lifecycle.
• Collaborate with local communities, the catchment partnership, landowners and other stakeholders to build support and gather input. Communicate project goals and benefits effectively.
• Allocate and manage project resources efficiently. Monitor expenditures and stay within budget.
• Identify potential risks and challenges that may affect the project's success and develop contingency plans to address them.
• Oversee data collection efforts related to the collaborative projects, such as water quality assessments, habitat surveys, and ecological monitoring. Analyse data to inform project decisions.
• Help establish monitoring protocols to assess the project's impact on the catchment and measure progress toward defined catchment goals. Adjust the project as needed based on evaluation results.
• Work with other WSRT team members to conduct public awareness campaigns and educational programs to inform local communities about the importance of catchment conservation and engage them in the projects.
• Comprehensive reporting of progress to the Catchment Partnership and Southern Water.

Benefits 

• You will be a member of a small, dynamic, passionate, and supportive team, joining WSRT and the catchment partnership at an exciting time of growth.
• 10% Recharge policy – WSRT team members are encouraged to take 10% of their working week for mental and physical recharge, getting out into the catchment to explore a new area, further their knowledge or enjoy a river-related activity.
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff) and Christmas to New Year shutdown.
• Flexible working.
• Employee assistance programme (counselling, specialist legal and financial support).
• Pension scheme (3% employee, 5% WSRT).

Want to know more?

We welcome informal discussions if you would like further information about this role or working for WSRT.