Location
London, with options for Wales or a hybrid role suitable for home working. Regular travel to London and Wales will be required.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£43,865 per annum

About the Role
ZSL is seeking a Programme Manager (maternity cover) to join our Aquatic Species and Policy team within the Conservation and Policy Department. The successful candidate will work across two key projects: Project SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities) and the Angel Shark Project (ASP). Project SIARC aims to benefit threatened sharks, skates, rays, and diverse coastal communities through an inclusive approach to marine conservation and research in Wales. Led by ZSL and Natural Resources Wales, it is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund. The ASP is a multidisciplinary collaboration collecting ecological and population data while engaging communities, researchers, and governments to secure the future of Critically Endangered angel sharks across their range. ZSL coordinates the Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN), working alongside partners to restore and safeguard angel shark populations.

The Programme Manager, supported by the Aquatic Species and Policy Programme Lead, will oversee timely and budget-conscious delivery of project objectives. Key responsibilities include leading the management and strategic delivery of the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant for Project SIARC, supporting the Nature Networks Fund 5 grant delivery, making key decisions on project implementation and community engagement, overseeing monitoring, evaluation and adaptive management, identifying fundraising opportunities, developing partnerships across sectors, leading budget forecasting and financial management, and advocating for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the programme. The role also ensures projects comply with ZSL’s Ethical Review Process and applies social and behavioural sciences to project delivery.

Experience
- Strong experience managing and delivering complex multi-partner projects on time and within budget.
- Proven knowledge and use of project management processes.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising and developing grant proposals over £1M.
- Experience working within the conservation landscape of Wales, the UK, and/or the EU.
- Prior experience creating inclusive and safe working environments that embrace diversity.
- Proven report-writing skills for diverse audiences including scientific, technical, and public.

About You
- Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail.
- Self-motivated with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of cross-sector stakeholders.
- Excellent time management skills, able to respond quickly to demands, prioritise effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Commitment to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and role-modelling these values.
- Comfortable working in a hybrid environment with regular travel to London and Wales.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are stated; however, relevant experience in project management, conservation, and fundraising is essential.