Do you have the passion, skills, and experience to deliver transformative projects involving new infrastructure? 

What’s the role about? 

We have an opportunity for a dynamic, skilled and passionate Project Manager to join our England Project Management team and help us tackle the nature and climate crises. The successful candidate will be required to travel to our nature reserves in the Aire Valley between Leeds and Castleford (RSPB St Aidan’s and RSPB Fairburn Ings) on a regular basis.

We are about to submit a funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for a multi-million-pound project in the Aire Valley. If successful, this project will have an 18-month Development Phase to investigate and trial ways to connect larger, more diverse, audiences with nature, including designing and getting permissions for new infrastructure including a large new visitor centre with exemplary access for disabled people. There will then be a 4-year phase to deliver it all, again funding dependent.

The Project Manager will lead on the infrastructure workstream. You will be responsible for procuring, managing and working with a team of consultants to develop and deliver our plans for the Aire Valley reserves for structures such as new visitor centre, play area, shelters, car park. You will also oversee securing of necessary permissions. You will need to be adaptable and enjoy variety; you might find yourself chairing a project team meeting one day, visiting the site the next and managing contractors or suppliers on another day. 

We’re looking for someone who is well-organised, solutions-focused, and can adapt to a diverse workload. Project teams will include colleagues from a range of disciplines and partner organisations. You’ll need to be able to build relationships across internal and external stakeholders and motivate others to get things done to keep the project progressing smoothly. 

If our funding bid is unsuccessful then you will help define and deliver the next steps for the Aire Valley. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop and deliver other projects in RSPB England. Our team manage all sorts of projects, from infrastructure repairs to species recovery, habitat creation to commercial development.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is very important to us, so whoever you are, whatever your situation, if you have the skills for the role, we would love to hear from you.

Key activities will include: 

• Developing and delivering projects as part of the England Project Management team. Liaising with stakeholders, ensuring risks and issues are appropriately managed and dealing with changes to budgets, scope and schedule.
• Overseeing the Infrastructure elements of Wild Aire, subject to funding. This includes working with internal and external stakeholders to make sure that the proposed infrastructure is fit-for-purpose and meets our very high standards of accessibility and inclusion, and securing necessary permissions. 
• Contractor procurement, appointment and management. 
• Being an advocate for Cora, the RSPB’s on-line project management system. 

Essentials skills, knowledge and experience:

• Proven project management skills relating to planning and managing projects, managing risks/costs/time and leading project teams. 
• Experience of working with external stakeholders such as agencies and contractors. 
• Ability to influence others, communicate effectively, build collaborative relationships and represent the organisation. 
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and approaches. 
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances. 
• Ability to solve issues quickly, efficiently and creatively. 
• Impressive time management and organisational skills. 
• A tangible passion for the planet. 

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience delivering infrastructure projects, particularly accessible infrastructure or visitor infrastructure.
• Project Management Qualification or relevant experience. 
• Demonstrable experience of developing and working in partnerships to achieve shared outcomes. 

Further Information 

This is a full-time (37.5 hrs/week), permanent position. We expect this to be a hybrid role: home-based with frequent travel to RSPB reserves in the Aire Valley (RSPB St Aidan’s and RSPB Fairburn Ings). 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 14th October 2024. Please contact [email protected] for more information. 

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.