Location
Central London (with flexible and hybrid working arrangements; contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home)

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£52,268 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Programme Manager to lead Natur am Byth, Wales’ largest ever species recovery and public engagement initiative. This multi-million-pound programme unites Natural Resources Wales with nine leading environmental charities to protect threatened species and inspire communities across Wales. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the delivery of 11 place-based conservation projects and 10 national work packages, managing a central team and supporting a wider network of over 20 staff. You will be responsible for programme governance, financial oversight, and reporting to senior stakeholders including funders and government partners.

You will be part of the Strategic Projects team within the Operations Directorate, reporting to the Strategic Projects Manager – Nature Recovery. The role offers flexible working arrangements and the opportunity to collaborate with passionate professionals across Wales and beyond.

Key responsibilities include leading the implementation of the Natur am Byth Programme, ensuring appropriate governance aligned with NRW Portfolio Management Office processes and PRINCE2 or MSP methodologies, forecasting and controlling the programme budget, and managing multidisciplinary project groups. You will act as NRW’s client manager with external partners, sign off project deliverables, and provide strong advocacy for species conservation and societal benefits across Wales.

Additional duties include acting as the primary contact for external funders such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government officials, presenting complex issues to a range of stakeholders, deputising for management colleagues, and undertaking health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role. You will also be committed to NRW’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy and your own professional development.

Experience
- Proven experience in complex programme management including budget management, staff management, and work programming
- Experience managing projects funded through a mixture of income streams including charitable and public funding (e.g. National Lottery Heritage Fund)
- Demonstrated ability to lead and direct partnership initiatives involving internal and external partners
- Experience of people engagement, public consultation methods, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement
- Experience overseeing monitoring, evaluation, and impact of projects including data collection, KPIs, and reporting to funders

About you
- Skilled leader with a commitment to nature recovery
- Good team working and communication skills
- Ability to present complex issues to diverse audiences including the public, community groups, MPs, and Senedd Members
- Committed to equal opportunities and diversity
- Willingness to undertake personal development and training

Qualifications
- Recognised professional or technical qualification in programme or project management, or equivalent relevant knowledge
- Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU biodiversity legislation and policy drivers
- Knowledge of site conservation management techniques
- Welsh language: Essential minimum Level A1 (entry level) with support available to improve during employment