Senior Project Manager (Stonehenge Project)

This is a rare opportunity to step into a leading role to deliver the National Trust’s core ambitions in the Stonehenge Landscape.   The Stonehenge Project is complex, multi-faceted and high profile.  The successful candidate will require excellent influencing, communication and project management skills.  This Senior Project Manager role is offered as a 12-month fixed term contract. 

The National Trust cares for some 840 ha of land and monuments in the southern half of the iconic Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site.  Although this globally important landscape is currently divided by the A303, the Department for Transport has committed to an infrastructure scheme to sink a significant section of the road into a tunnel, removing traffic from a substantial proportion of the World Heritage Site.  In response, the National Trust is working with Heritage Partners to engage with National Highways to influence the design and delivery of the scheme.  In anticipation of a reconnected landscape, we are also considering how to make our landscape more accessible to visitors, while delivering the best outcomes possible for archaeology and nature.  

On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Project Manager will lead the National Trust’s engagement with National Highways, current and future stakeholders, and other bodies associated with the infrastructure project.  This key aspect of the role will require strong interpersonal skills to engage with both internal and external stakeholders to influence, challenge, build consensus and achieve the best outcomes for both the historic and natural environment.

The role will also lead key work to improve how our land and assets in the Stonehenge Landscape are managed.  Dovetailing with the Wiltshire Landscape operational team and our internal specialists, you will lead work to restore and enhance grassland habitat, protect archaeology and conserve historic buildings. In addition, your skills will be utilised to support the wider team at Avebury as they develop and take forward plans for improved visitor engagement in the northern half of the World Heritage Site.

You will advocate for our work with the Wilshire Chalk Partnership, bringing together partner organisations to work towards landscape-scale nature recovery across Wiltshire, seeking to create 2,000 ha of new grassland habitat across the county.

Your application should include your CV and a covering letter, clearly setting out how your skills and experience align with this pivotal senior role.

What it's like to work here

You will report to the Assistant Director for South West Landscapes and Infrastructure.  Your primary Client will be the General Manager for the Wiltshire Landscape portfolio, and you will work closely with key members of the portfolio team. You will also be a member of the thriving South West project and programme community.

The role is based in the Tisbury Hub (located close to Stonehenge) and requires frequent travel to the project area and to other properties/offices within the region and on occasion nationally.  Whilst your office base will be Tisbury, we are open to a hybrid working model.  An ability to be on-site within the Stonehenge project area, as dictated by the needs of the project, will be critical to the success of this role.

What you'll be doing

As the Stonehenge Senior Project Manager you will:

• Lead and drive forward the overarching Stonehenge Project and its component workstreams.

• Ensure that exemplary project management governance and processes are in place.

• Lead the stakeholder engagement strategy.

•       Manage any reputational risks associated with the project.

• Lead the Trust’s engagement with the Development Consent Order process. 

• Demonstrate strong leadership skills including inspiring and leading the Stonehenge Project team.

• Build strong, positive relationships with the operational portfolio team, with whom you will be working hand-in-hand.

• Be proactively involved in our regional and national Project Manager community, including playing an active role in the South West Project Leadership team and providing advice and support to other Project Managers within the region.

Who we're looking for

We are looking for an outstanding Project Manager, with excellent stakeholder engagement skills. We will shortlist against the following criteria:

• You will hold a recognised project management qualification (ChPP /APM PMQ) or programme management (MSP) qualification or Construction Project Management (RICS, CIOB, RIBA, IET) qualification.

• You will have a strong track record of successfully delivering major high profile, complex projects involving multiple workstreams and activities, in a multi-disciplinary environment.

• You will be a highly confident communicator and influencer; comfortable with managing complex and sometime contentious stakeholder relationships; confident liaising with individuals and groups ranging from local community members to senior leaders (up to Executive level); challenge, set direction and build consensus in complex environments.

• You will have in-depth knowledge of project management lifecycles, processes and practices, including governance requirements, to the level of subject matter expert. Well-practised in project management tools and techniques, with an excellent understanding of their application and value.

• You will be able to demonstrate experience of proactively supporting the development of others in the project profession, through coaching, mentoring and identifying and supporting training and development needs.

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