A unique opportunity has arisen for an experienced and innovative project manager familiar with landscape management to lead the development our Wilder Wallington project as we develop and then undertake an ambitious, long term, series of transformational nature recovery projects at a true landscape scale right across the Wallington estate in Northumberland.

The role will be notionally based at the nearest consultancy hub – in this case Holy Jesus hospital in the centre of Newcastle Holy Jesus Hospital, however the expectation is that the Project Manager will be working regularly from Wallington itself integrated with the team at the property hub Wallington.

We have developed a long-term vision for the estate through its estate management plan and pulled together a client brief that seeks to develop a programme of activity that will deliver the following over a 5-10 year period

o Connected natural recovery across the estate

o Significant amounts of woodland creation

o Significant river and wetland restoration

o Improved engagement and accessibility to visitors

o Connecting the estate into the wider landscape

o testing how the estate can deliver for nature and people whilst retaining its cultural integrity

o Deliver the Green Challenge project as the first step towards this programme

This is a multi-functional role which pulls on a number of specialisms and areas of expertise as we set out on a strategy-leading estate wide transformational project. If you think this role may be right for you but want to explore the skills balance further then please do contact me Alistair Wright: alistair.wright@ationaltrust.org.uk

What it's like to work here

As part of our north regional Land & Nature consultancy team you’ll sit alongside regional nature experts and other project managers delivering transformational landscape scale change right across the north of England.  You’ll draw on the wider knowledge, expertise and support available throughout the National trust to support delivery at Wallington. 

As a dedicated project role for Wilder Wallington you will be fully integrated as part of the Wallington property operations team working closely with the Wallington General manager, Countryside Manager and Estate Manager. 

You’ll report progress to the Wilder Wallington project board  The Wallington General Manager will be your key client.

You’ll lead a team dedicated to the Wallington project managing the dedicated Project Support Co-ordinator and developing a matrix team utilising expertise from right across the property, wider regional resources of the Trust and beyond.

You’ll be developing our project plan, managing budgets, commissioning work and building up partnerships and funding opportunities.

What you'll be doing

We are at the very start of this key national priority project so you’ll be: 

• Developing the Wilder Wallington long term vision and client brief through feasibility into a tangible programme with clearly defined workstreams, resources in place and a multi-disciplinary matrix project team in position to move rapidly towards delivery of a 5 year+ programme of landscape scale nature recovery delivering our strategic ambitions for nature people and climate. 

• Working closely with the property team, farm tenants, neighbours and wider stakeholders to deliver the identified ‘quick wins’ in this emerging project in 2022 

• Developing excellent stakeholder and partner relationships both within the National Trust and beyond to maximise joined up landscape scale delivery for nature and maximise the opportunities for this ground-braking project 

• Leading a project team with excellent project management structure, clear governance, clear milestones and accountable management of risk. 

• Having identified and secured significant funding streams in order to establish the programme beyond this initial feasibility phase. 

Who we're looking for

You will be able to take a new and transformational concept, engage with expertise, key stakeholders, a matric-structured team and wider partners to develop an ambitious yet deliverable transformational project.  You will be a nature, climate and people champion who understands the wider contexts and sensitives of landscape scale change. 

 Your project management skills and expertise will allow you to pull together a complex series of workstreams in to a cohesive whole that is delivered on time and in budget. We will shortlist for interview on the following minimum criteria for the role:

• You will be able to demonstrate significant skills, knowledge and expertise of working in the natural environment at a landscape-scale and will have a sound working knowledge of natural processes and the key challenges / opportunities associated with nature recovery and climate change mitigation. 

• You will have experience of successfully delivering end to end project/programme  management including defining resources, leading procurement, securing project teams and matrix management across multiple projects/programmes. 

• You will hold a recognised Project Management qualification (APM PMQ /Prince or similar) or Programme Management (MSP or similar) and demonstrate evidence of ongoing CPD in your career to date.  Or you will be able to demonstrate significant project management skills and be prepared to study towards the Project Management qualification (APM PMQ ). 

• You will possess excellent communication, problem solving and influencing skills and be confident liaising with Senior Leaders, able challenge and interpret advice of your design team and make recommendations to your governance board / Sponsor.  

• Similarly, you will demonstrate experience of managing complex external stakeholder relationships.  

• This is a multi-functional role which pulls on a number of specialisms and areas of expertise as we set out on a strategy-leading estate wide transformational project.  If you think this role may be right for you but want to explore the skills balance further then please do contact the recruiting manager Alistair Wright