Project Manager - Nature & Climate

Are you an experienced, qualified project manager driven to deliver transformational change for nature and climate?

We’re looking for someone to help lead ambitious nature recovery projects in partnership with others, with a focus on landscapes in the North East and Yorkshire. You’ll play a key role in delivering the National Trust’s ambition to restore 250,000 hectares of land for nature by 2035, working across some of the North’s most spectacular landscapes to help people and nature thrive.

Based at a National Trust hub in Manchester, Newcastle or York, you’ll spend regular time on site at Malham Tarn, at least two days each week, and, for future projects, at other locations across the North.

If you think this role may be right for you and you would like to discuss in more detail, then please contact the recruiting manager Emma Wright ([email protected])

What it's like to work here

You’ll be part of the Trust’s specialist delivery team, a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise. As one of a multidisciplinary team of experts, including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors and project managers, you’ll be working with others to help make things happen.

What you'll be doing

This is an opportunity to deliver real and lasting outcomes for nature, communities and climate. You’ll join our regional Restore Nature team, working with specialists and project teams to deliver innovative, inclusive landscape-scale restoration projects.

In the first twelve months of this role, you’ll lead the Heart of the Dales Landscape Recovery Scheme: an 11,000 hectare, 20-year programme. Working with partners, tenants and the National Trust’s project and property teams, you’ll help turn this ambitious vision into reality by steering it through the Assurance Phase and into Delivery.

You’ll lead stakeholder engagement, secure consents and match funding, progress legal agreements, and establish governance. You’ll also oversee grant administration, including budgeting, monitoring and reporting, ensuring the project meets key milestones in this critical stage.

Once the Landscape Recovery Scheme moves into delivery, you’ll use your project management expertise to shape and lead new nature restoration projects across the North.

Who we're looking for

• able to lead complex, landscape-scale projects and programmes, managing funding structures and legal entities while confidently negotiating with senior stakeholders.
• strong understanding of nature recovery, climate challenges and the sensitivities of working at scale in contested landscapes, such as the Yorkshire Dales
• experience of delivering landscape-scale environmental projects, with a strong understanding of nature recovery and climate mitigation
• proven end-to-end project or programme management experience, including resourcing, procurement and matrix working
• a recognised project or programme management qualification (e.g. APM PMQ, PRINCE2, MSP) with evidence of continued professional development
• strong communication, problem-solving and influencing skills, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders and governance boards
• experience managing complex external partnerships

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 programme
• Free parking at most Trust places