Access to Eden Project Manager

Contract: 5 days per week, full-time, fixed-term contract until 31 March 2028

We have a rare opportunity for an exceptional project manager to join us and work with an
experienced team on the delivery of a £2m+ project supported by The National Lottery Heritage
Fund to improve access, through opportunity and conservation, to the glorious landscape of the
River Eden, East Cumbria.

We seek an experienced, delivery-focused individual who can manage staff teams, external
partners, finances and project schedules, and communicate effectively with a range of audiences
– including at senior organisational level.

The successful candidate will also be passionate about engaging a wider range of people in the
natural environment and be a clear and effective written and verbal communicator. Understanding
the multi-faceted water environment and challenges to accessing it will be an advantage but the
wider Access to Eden partnership team, who have closely collaborated to make this complex
project a reality, will be on hand to assist.

The role in a nutshell

You will be responsible for:

• the overall management of the delivery phase of the multi-million-pound project.
• working with the team to create long-lasting positive impact for the natural environment
  through building strong community engagement across the project area with target audiences who
  experience a lack of opportunity to access the Eden, and
• strengthening the partnership and seeking opportunities for growth in the delivery phase.

About the project

Access to Eden:breaking barriers, building bridges aims to break down the physical,
social and cultural barriers that prevent people from accessing the natural heritage of Eden
and build the bridges needed to give them the confidence to enjoy our blue and green spaces. We
intend to remove barriers for Eden’s special wildlife, connect habitats and promote nature
recovery.

With 13 organisations signed up as part of our partnership, together we will break barriers and
build bridges for people AND nature in the Eden Valley, Cumbria.

The clue is in the title. It’s all about making Eden’s rivers and nature more accessible to
those who experience the greatest barriers. From opening up doorstep green spaces, promoting
walking, cycling, swimming, paddle sports, practical conservation, wildlife surveys, quiet
enjoyment … and even virtual enjoyment of the river environment.

Our vision is to see a fully integrated set of accessible activities and conservation
opportunities that work for everyone in Eden, Cumbria, contributing to improving the
natural heritage along our rivers.

About us

Improving access to river environments is a new area for Eden Rivers Trust, and part of our
charity’s desire to be Rethinking rivers. For good. We believe in partnership,
creativity and flexibility, and we are rooted in the Eden – working at ground level with local
communities, land managers and businesses to conserve the rivers and improve water quality and
management. We are changing conversations, finding ways to work smarter and inspiring and
empowering others to do the best for our rivers.

Based in Penrith, the post holder will work in the scenic rolling countryside of the Eden
Valley and where it intersects with the north-eastern Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and
the North Pennines.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including under-represented groups.

Deadline for applications: 9 am, Tuesday 7th May 2024,

Interviews are planned for 15th – 17th May 2024.