We are seeking two experienced, professional Project Managers for two exciting opportunities, managing capital projects that respond to the challenges of a changing coastline. One role will work with our team in West Dorset and the other role will work with our Purbeck team. In your application, please state whether you have a preference.
You will have the chance to be inspired by nature, beauty and history at some of our most popular coastal sites, knowing that your work will enrich these special places. The roles will involve leading and managing complex capital projects at these sites that will secure long-term access and enjoyment for generations to come.
You'll be part of the Trust's internal consultancy: 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 make things happen.
You'll also belong to the Project and Programme Management community, led by our central team with an ambition to establish a culture of excellence in project delivery across the National Trust.
Your contractual place of work will be the National Trust office at Tisbury. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. We can talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week. On-site presence is crucial to the success of these two roles.
Day-to-day, you'll work intensively with the teams responsible for operating the sites, and with internal and external stakeholders. You'll get to be out on site at some of the most beautiful places in the south west.
The Dorset coastline at Hive Beach (West Dorset) and Studland (Purbeck) is much loved by local communities and visitors alike. However, it's undergoing rapid change, with coastal erosion putting beachside facilities and public access at these locations at risk.
The National Trust is planning and implementing projects to review, adapt and – in some cases – move our facilities to make sure that future generations can continue to enjoy these beautiful locations. As Project Manager, you will lead the projects through the stages of our Project Management Framework, delivering feasibility, designs, consents, and implementation, all the while closely managing the scope, cost, time, risk and benefits, and working around operational requirements and constraints. You'll work closely with contractors, consultants, specialists and stakeholders to achieve this. The role may involve some line management.
You will have experience of coordinating client-side input into projects, forming and leading project teams. Collaborative working will be critical and you will be comfortable working across a matrix structure, to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders. A natural affinity with the National Trust's interests and values will also be invaluable.
We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a complex and collaborative working environment and has the drive and ambition to make a difference.
We will shortlist against the following minimum criteria for the role:
- able to demonstrate experience of successfully delivering multiple complex capital projects from start to finish
- able to demonstrate experience of effectively defining resources, securing internal and external project teams, leading procurement and managing people within a matrix structure
- a professional with technical knowledge and skills in project management demonstrated by a recognised project (APM PMQ/PRINCE2) or programme management (MSP) qualification and evidence of ongoing CPD in your career to date
- you're a flexible thinker and problem-solver, skilled at negotiating and building productive networks, and able to influence decisions with senior leaders
- a skilled communicator, with experience of managing complex and challenging situations where there are competing interests, and a diverse range of stakeholders
- a leader for inclusion and an inclusive culture, able to demonstrate your commitment to meaningful community engagement as well as ensuring projects deliver sustainably
- confident and competent in budget forecasting and management
- able to show understanding of the complexities of managing projects in sensitive environments (e.g. SSSIs, Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments)
By submitting your application, you will be considered for both roles. If you have a preference for one over the other (either Hive Beach or Studland), please state this in your covering letter.