Community & Engagement Manager

Community & Engagement Manager
The Rock Pool Project

Hours: Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Contract: April 2026 – December 2026 (with extension subject to funding)
Location: Flexible / hybrid, with ‘home’ office based at either Plymouth or Falmouth. Some UK travel as required (expenses covered)
Working hours: 37 hours per week. Normally 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday with occasional weekend working required.
Salary: £27,000 per annum (pro rata for nine month fixed-term contract)
Reporting to: Deputy CEO & Head of Community Delivery

This role is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the Big Rock Pool Challenge, thanks to National Lottery players.

About The Rock Pool Project

The Rock Pool Project is a UK-wide environmental charity that connects people with marine nature through citizen science, community engagement, and education. We work with families, volunteers, and communities across the UK to explore intertidal rocky shore habitats, contribute to biodiversity monitoring, and inspire long-term care for the marine environment.

A core part of our work is delivered through the Big Rock Pool Challenge, a National Lottery Heritage Fund–supported programme that enables people from a wide range of backgrounds to engage with marine heritage, develop skills, and contribute to nationally valuable environmental data.

About the role

We are seeking a Community & Engagement Manager to play a central role in delivering the Big Rock Pool Challenge and supporting The Rock Pool Project’s growing network of volunteer-led community hubs.

This is a hands-on role focused on supporting volunteers and participants, coordinating local activity, and helping ensure that community engagement is delivered safely, inclusively, and consistently across the UK. Working closely with the Deputy CEO & Head of Community Delivery, you will help mobilise hubs during wide scale campaigns such as our Community BioBlitz Festival, strengthen existing community activity, and support engagement in new areas.

This role will contribute directly to the Big Rock Pool Challenge’s heritage outcomes, including increased public engagement with marine heritage, skills development, and participation in biodiversity monitoring.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the primary staff contact for volunteer-led hubs supported through the Big Rock Pool Challenge
• Provide day-to-day support to hub leaders and volunteers, responding to queries and troubleshooting issues
• Support the planning and delivery of local community activity, including optional hub-led events and meet-ups
• Play a key role in delivering national participation campaigns, including the annual National BioBlitz
• Support the onboarding and practical setup of new hubs, helping to extend engagement to new communities
• Assist with volunteer recruitment and the development of inclusive participation opportunities
• Support the delivery of training and the development of guidance and resources for volunteers and participants
• Apply safeguarding, health and safety, and delivery standards in line with organisational and funder requirements
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across communications and digital development
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning required by the Big Rock Pool Challenge

About you

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, marine biology, conservation biology, or equivalent relevant experience (Master's degree preferred).
• Experience of community engagement, volunteer coordination, or participation-led programmes
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond flexibly during busy delivery periods
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail
• Commitment to safeguarding, inclusion, and safe working practices
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Desirable:

• Experience, knowledge, and a love of UK intertidal rocky shore ecosystems
• Experience in social media communication
• Experience of leading large-scale engagement initiatives
• Experience of leading training or capacity-building activity
• Familiarity with digital citizen science tools (e.g. iNaturalist)

Why work with us?

• Be part of a nationally significant project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Help more people connect with and care for the UK’s marine heritage
• Work with a passionate, supportive team in a values-led organisation
• Contribute to real-world biodiversity monitoring and community impact

Application deadline: 15th February 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 2nd March 2026
Anticipated start date: April 2026

For more information please contact:
Laura Coles – [email protected]

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments.