Project Manager (Landscape Recovery)

Arlington Court is a fantastic place to visit and offers an immense opportunity to deliver public benefit for the nation for the future.  We aim to be one of the biggest success stories in the National Trust, and we need your help to make that happen. Inspired by Miss Rosalie Chichester, who turned large parts of the estate into a nature reserve before giving Arlington Court to the Trust in the 1940s, one of her wishes was for Arlington to be a place for both nature and people. We are making that happen by restoring natural processes, opening up footpaths, rewetting our 1092ha estate and planting 50,000 trees this winter alone, creating a wilder, wetter, woodier place that is amazing for nature, people and climate.  

Now we have secured Landscape Recovery Scheme (LRS) funding from DEFRA so we can push forward and achieve landscape-scale success in the longer-term.  We are looking for an experienced and confident Project Manager with a real passion for nature and people, who can drive the Arlington (LRS) project forward.   

This role is fixed term for 2 years during the development phase of LRS.  Please submit a covering letter alongside your CV.   Interviews will be held at Arlington Court on 16 February 2024. 

What it's like to work here

Nestled between the wilds of Exmoor and the North Devon coast, Arlington Court is a mix of formal gardens, parkland and farmland, and is a flagship site at the centre of the Trust’s ambitious plans for nature recovery.  There’s also a mansion packed full of curiosities and the National Trust’s collection of historic carriages.   

You'll be joining a team of Project Managers – part of the South West Consultancy – who are motivated and passionate about working at pace and scale. Day-to-day, you’ll work intensively with the enthusiastic, dynamic team at Arlington Court as your client, and with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll be surrounded by others eager to see long-term change, natural processes restored, communities engaged and lost wildlife return.    

You’ll mainly be based at Arlington, but hybrid working can be considered to allow this role to work for you and you could also work out of our other offices at Baggy Point or Heddon Valley.  There will be great opportunities for you to gain new experiences, learn from others and to continue your professional development. 

For more information about Arlington Court please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum 

What you'll be doing

As the Arlington LRS Project Manager you’ll manage the development phase of a high-profile Landscape Recovery project.  This two-year feasibility project will create a bespoke 20 year management plan for landscape-scale change across the Arlington Estate and connection to West Exmoor and beyond.  The project will also explore the creation of a nature/wildlife ‘corridor’ connecting land between Arlington and West Exmoor, helping wildlife to move easily between nature-rich sites.   

You’ll collaborate with tenants, neighbouring land managers and partners across conservation, community and health and wellbeing. You’ll develop a set of core plans, a long-term business model and governance plan.  You’ll explore and unlock investment; contract and oversee suppliers and consultants providing baseline surveys; secure legal consents and permissions; and report regularly to the Environment Agency and DEFRA funders. The goal is to set us up ready for the implementation phases of LRS in 2 years’ time. 

Who we're looking for

We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and communities.  This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with the ability to plan for the long-term and with good organisational and people skills.  

We will short list against the following minimum criteria for the role: 

• Evidence of solid project management skills, able to make decisions and drive projects forward working to budgets and timescales. 
• Good understanding of project management life-cycles, processes and practices, including governance requirements. 
• Ability to deliver results through successful delivery of projects to scope time and quality. 
• Ability to manage multiple project strands, work across project teams, set up external steering groups and data sharing arrangements. 
• Experience managing sponsor, client, stakeholder and supplier relationships effectively and working as part of a team sharing learning and ideas. 
• Experience of working with external agencies, contractors and organisations 
• Some experience of funding, procuring, contracting, financial and grant claims processes. 
• Ability to manage budgets and cost control.   
• Some experience of community engagement. 
• You will have a recognised project (AMP PMQ/Prince) or programme management (MSP) qualification or be working towards one. 

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)
• Tax-free childcare scheme
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• 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
• Independent financial advice