Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager to join our internal consultancy team to lead a portfolio of innovative business development projects. This is a new role for our team, so expectations will be high but there is scope to make the role your own.

The National Trust was set up to look after places and spaces so people and nature can thrive. We look after countryside, coastline, historic sites and green spaces, ensuring everyone benefits. In Northern Ireland we look after 22% of Northern Ireland’s coastline, 46 sq. miles of countryside, including Slieve Donard and the Giant’s Causeway, and historic family homes such as Mount Stewart, Castle Ward and Florence Court. 

As a conservation charity, we welcome over 3 million visitors every year who value our work and enjoy visiting the places in our care.  Our team is focused on making a real difference for natural, built and cultural heritage and we are seeking an individual who will share that passion.   

What it's like to work here

We’re bigger than you think, we’re more complicated than we appear and we’re larger scale than you’d imagine. 

The National Trust Consultancy is home to specialists in every field of our work, providing an internal service to our people and places.  We deliver a depth of skills and expertise, and creative and innovative thinking. Supported by an award-winning project management framework, there is a strong and growing project management community, where sharing knowledge and best practice is the norm. 

As part of our matrix way of working, you’ll be part of varied teams with operational colleagues, other consultants and national experts to develop and test ideas and solutions to grow our visitor and commercial offer. 

We know that we can't serve our diverse audiences without firstly celebrating the diversity of our people. That's why we work hard to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We welcome and value difference.  If the following describes you, then we would like to hear from you …

• Able to flourish in a complex and collaborative working environment.
• Encouraging, eager to share your knowledge and experience to help others.
• Passionate about supporting the National Trust to deliver its aims and objectives.
• Someone who comes to work each day to be the best you can, and to learn and develop.

Your contractual location will be Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, however there will be an opportunity to explore and agree remote working arrangements which strike the right balance for you and the Trust. The role will also involve travel to properties or regional hubs to meet with stakeholders and to carry out work.

What you'll be doing

In Northern Ireland, we’re supported by nearly 100,000 members. Our core visitor offer, income diversification and maximising commercial opportunities are all critical to how we look after the amazing places in our care. 

Helping to define the future for some of our most special places, we're looking for a project manager with a creative and innovative flair, an understanding of the commercial and business sectors and experience of managing projects to grow income and support financial sustainability. You will work collaboratively with teams to re-imagine and re-purpose how we use our spaces for the benefit of our supporters and sustainability of our places. 

You will be responsible for:

• Taking ownership of relevant project phases (typically up to Gate 1 – pre-concept, concept and feasibility), acting as the key link between the client (the property), consultancy colleagues, National Trust leadership, and external partner / contractor organisations.
• Accelerating our business case and feasibility assessments for future investment, and where appropriate, handing over to delivery teams ensuring appropriate governance is in place
• Working closely with finance and fundraising colleagues to define and secure funding for ongoing design and delivery stages of the project
• Identify opportunities for future development which build on the stories and spirit of the place and link back to our core conservation purpose

As part of the internal consultancy, you will provide the best possible service. This role has a strong focus on working in partnership and delivering together, so you will develop great working relationships with colleagues, partners and stakeholders within and outside the region.  

Who we're looking for

You will bring a passion for programme and project management, as well as commercial expertise, knowledge and experience. Innovative and creative thinking will be key, together with the ability to interpret data and insight to create and communicate compelling, high quality and pragmatic solutions. Above all, you will be committed to our conservation agenda, what we stand for and what we want to achieve. 

In particular, the successful candidate will need to evidence;

• You will hold a recognised project (APM PMQ/Prince) or programme management (MSP) qualification and show evidence of ongoing CPD in your career to date.  
• Experience of the evaluation and analysis of business development opportunities, using a variety of insights and data.
• Experience of working at pace on complex projects in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Very good understanding, gained through practical experience, of project management from concept, planning and feasibility through to delivery, including good governance.
• A creative approach, with the ability to identify opportunities, build support and drive improvement.

The ability to build strong working relationships, with the communication and diplomacy skills to challenge the status quo and influence change.

Please refer to the role profile and our website to find out more about the role, and our strategic aims. Please articulate and identify clearly on your application form how you meet the criteria for the role.

Proposed Interview Dates:

Interview 1: 1 April 2022

Interview 2: 9 April  2022

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.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary