Sound Rivers Project Manager

Report To: Head of Resilience & Communities
Grade: 4
Location: Westcountry Rivers Trust’s office is in Stoke Climsland and whilst we have adopted hybrid working there is an expectation to work from the office on a regular basis and to travel to sites across the delivery area.

Westcountry Rivers Trust is recruiting a Project Manager for the Sound Rivers Discovery Project

This is a 1-year fixed term contract, subject to a successful 6-month probation period.

The starting salary for this role is £36,000.00 to £39,200.00 per annum (dependent on experience)

Benefits while working for Westcountry Rivers Trust

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays, with a reward for long service - an additional 1 day per year for each year worked over 5 years, up to a maximum of 30 days for employees serving 10 years continuous service
• Additional leave covering the Christmas Closure period
• WRT contributes 9% of salary to a personal pension scheme (following a three-month postponement period), plus Life Assurance cover
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Hybrid & Flexible Working

Apply by midnight on Friday 10th April 2026.

Interviews will be held in person at our offices in Stoke Climsland on Friday 24th April 2026. Candidates will be asked to give a short presentation as part of the interview process; details will be provided to shortlisted applicants.

For queries about this role or the application process please contact [email protected]

About the Westcountry Rivers Trust

Formed in 1994, the Trust was established to restore Westcountry rivers. Measures to protect rivers can help to save money for farmers, lower costs for water companies, boost tourism, reduce the need to dredge estuaries and even benefit human health.

Today the charity works with a wide range of stakeholders from landowners to local communities, businesses and farmers to restore and protect the rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal areas for the benefit of people, wildlife and the local economy. There has never been a more important time to work on the rivers of the West Country as the impacts of climate change and the ecological crisis are forcing society to invest in building catchment resilience.

Spurred by a shared love of rivers, the Westcountry Rivers Trust is very much a grassroots organisation, brought into existence from the bottom up. In the early 90s, a group of individuals, passionate – but concerned – about the waterways around them, began to stitch together their ambitions for restoring Westcountry rivers, laying the foundations for the Trust we know today.

Everything the Trust does is informed by the best available science. Our work is driven by an ‘ecosystems approach,’ considering the function of the entire catchment, not just the rivers that flow within them.

It was this new perspective – not to mention the hands-on and tireless approach to river restoration – that grabbed the attention of so many supporters and funders, and which lies behind the flourishing rivers trust movement. The Trust has grown significantly over the past decade, leading the way for the rivers trust movement, and now delivers a portfolio of multi-annual projects across a wide range of funders.

The Trust has three main delivery teams and a support services team. Our employees work on delivery sites, from home, and from the office.

About the Role

The Sound Rivers Discovery Project is an exciting National Lottery Heritage Fund supported initiative exploring the heritage, ecology and restoration potential of the rivers flowing into Plymouth Sound. Working with over 15 partner organisations and local communities across the Tamar catchment, this Discovery phase will build the evidence base and partnerships needed to develop a major landscape-scale river restoration programme.

As Project Manager, you will lead the operational delivery of this project, managing implementation, stakeholder engagement and quality assurance while ensuring compliance with NLHF requirements. This is a rare opportunity to shape a programme from its earliest stages. We have a clear ambition to develop this Discovery phase into a significantly larger delivery project.

• Collaborative working environment with project teams and external partners
• Regular travel across project area and occasional national travel for heritage sector events
• Professional development opportunities within heritage, environmental and project management fields

Responsibilities

Project Management

Develop and implement comprehensive project delivery plans in coordination with the Project Director, managing timelines, resources and interdependencies across all work streams. Lead project risk assessment and mitigation strategies, ensuring proactive management of challenges and opportunities. Oversee budget management and financial controls, working closely with the finance team to monitor expenditure against approved budgets. Manage procurement processes for heritage consultants, contractors and specialist services, ensuring value for money and compliance.

Stakeholder Leadership and Partnership Management

Build and maintain strategic relationships with organisations, heritage bodies and community groups. Lead stakeholder meetings, workshops and steering group sessions, ensuring effective collaboration and decision-making. Coordinate with external heritage consultants, academics and contractors to ensure quality delivery. Represent the project at external meetings, conferences and heritage sector events.

NLHF Compliance and Reporting

Ensure full compliance with NLHF terms and conditions, managing all reporting requirements and grant claim processes. Lead preparation of quarterly progress reports, reviews and final project evaluation. Maintain comprehensive project monitoring systems tracking deliverables, outcomes and impact indicators. Coordinate NLHF site visits, reviews and evaluation processes.

Quality Assurance and Documentation

Establish and maintain project quality standards, ensuring all deliverables meet NLHF and organisational requirements. Oversee project documentation systems, archives and knowledge management processes. Lead project evaluation and learning activities, capturing best practice and lessons learned. Ensure robust data protection and information governance compliance.

Team Management and Communication

Provide support to project staff and coordinate workload allocation. Lead internal project meetings and facilitate cross-team collaboration. Manage project communications strategy including stakeholder updates, public engagement and media relations.

How the Role Relates to the Project

This role coordinates delivery of all NLHF outcomes through:

• Project coordination - managing all work packages: Rivers & Fisheries, Land Team, Evidence & Engagement, Leadership
• NLHF compliance - ensuring quarterly reporting, budget management, risk mitigation across partnership engagement, community participation, and delivery challenges
• Stakeholder management - coordinating 15+ partner organisations, external consultants, and a comprehensive community engagement programme
• Timeline management - overseeing project timeline, final reporting and concept pathway development

Targets: 100% NLHF compliance, all milestones within timeline/budget, stakeholders effectively coordinated, comprehensive project archive, sustainable heritage engagement frameworks.

Key Performance Indicators

• Full compliance with NLHF reporting deadlines and requirements
• Delivery within approved budget parameters
• Successful coordination with relevant organisations
• Achievement of all project milestones and deliverable targets
• Maintenance of comprehensive project archive and documentation

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Project management experience in heritage, cultural or environmental sectors with demonstrable track record of successful delivery.
• Experience managing budgets and leading multi-sector initiatives.
• Strong understanding of heritage project requirements and NLHF or similar grant funding processes.
• Previous experience delivering NLHF-funded projects or similar projects.
• Knowledge of nature conservation practices, community engagement and public participation methods. (D)
• Experience in environmental research project management. (D)
• Experience managing public engagement programmes and events.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management skills with experience managing diverse partnerships.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills including report writing and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency in project management software and Microsoft Office suite.
• Understanding of charity sector governance and compliance requirements. (D)

Qualifications

• A degree (or equivalent qualification or experience) in ecology, environmental science, heritage, agriculture, or a related discipline relevant to the role. (D)
• A higher relevant degree, e.g. MSc or PhD (D)

The above are Essential criteria unless indicated as Desirable.