Senior Project / Partnership Manager

Job description 

Job title: Senior Project/Partnership Manager
Location: Merseyside/Warrington
Salary: £34,000 – £38,000 dependent on experience
Closes: 16th June 2023
Position: Senior Project/Partnership Manager
Organisation: Mersey Rivers Trust
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility required (some evening
& weekend work)

Overview

The Mersey Rivers Trust (MRT) is an environmental charity focussing on the protection and
enhancement of rivers and waterbodies in the Mersey Catchment. It operates in an area covering
Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. The Trust works with partners, local communities
and volunteers to deliver a wide range of projects including river restoration, reduction of
flood risk by Natural Flood Management techniques, river monitoring, volunteer events (eg river
clean-ups/invasive species control and citizen science), community engagement and education
events, farm advice/plans and biodiversity net gain.

We have a vacancy for a Senior Project/Partnership Manager to join a dynamic and dedicated team
who are committed to delivering collaborative environmental river-based improvements. 

The Trust hosts three successful CaBA (Catchment Based Approach) partnerships in the Alt
Crossens, Lower Mersey and Upper Mersey catchments. The role holder will focus on the hosting
of the Alt Crossens and Lower Mersey partnerships in addition to working with other partnership
groups and stakeholders in the area.

The role will also include leading a team of three project managers responsible for the
development and delivery of a portfolio of environmental river-based projects in the Alt
Crossens and Lower Mersey catchments, including direct line management responsibilities.

The role holder will report directly to the Operations and Delivery Director and will be a
member of the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate collaborative and effective coordination of the two CaBA Partnerships across the
  Alt Crossens and Lower Mersey Catchments.
• Work with partners to maintain, update and deliver the Catchment plans.
• Meet the key objectives and success measures for each catchment.
• To maintain and develop partnerships with stakeholders, including Environment Agency, Local
  Authorities, Natural England, local water company, other NGOs and community groups.
• Work with the Operations & Delivery Director and the Strategy & Development
  Director to prepare and manage budgets, provide input to the Trust’s business plan and
  strategic initiatives.
• To identify and apply for project funding to support delivery of our objectives.
• Undertake the day-to-day leadership and management of the Alt Crossens and Lower Mersey
  project delivery team.
• Maintain, oversee, and update all project delivery and reporting systems on time and to
  budget (including timesheets, expenses and monthly reports).
• Preparing and submitting applications to obtaining necessary consents and permissions
  (including Environment Agency Permits, Landowner Agreements and Planning Permissions).
• Build landowner relationships to secure necessary permissions to implement projects.
• Contribute to, and in some cases lead, the procurement process.
• Supervision of contractors and junior staff delivering works.
• Undertake site visits to monitor progress of works, keeping records and reporting onwards.
• Complete all necessary reports, and keep suitable records in line with the funding
  requirements and document retention policy.
• Highlight any new risks and issues identified during works, and work with the team to
  manage and resolve them.
• To help the Trust team to engage and consult with existing community groups, schools,
  clubs, voluntary sector, interest groups, etc. and local councils to foster learning and a
  sense of ownership in the works.
• Implement rigorous safeguarding and health & safety procedures and lead by example in
  prioritising health and safety and wellbeing by taking responsibility for yourself, participant
  volunteers and colleagues. You shall comply with Mersey Rivers Trust’s Health & Safety and
  Safeguarding policies and defined standards at all times.
• Any other reasonable duties as required by MRT.

The post holder will be home based with travel throughout the Mersey catchment. The applicant
will need to live within or close to the Mersey catchment to facilitate regular travel to
meetings, site visits and to regularly meet with staff. Remote working from other parts of the
country cannot be considered for this role due to the need for regular face-to-face
interactions and outdoor activities.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, ideally in a relevant subject with a strong track
  record in environmental management and project management.
• Valid driving licence and own car, insured for business use.
• A confident and clear communicator with experience in leading collaborative partnerships
  and delivering projects with a variety of stakeholders and groups.
• Leadership skills; developing, coaching and managing teams.
• Experience of successful project delivery, including budget control and reporting.
• Experience in working with and managing external consultants and contractors.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively from home with strong communication skills and
  with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to prioritise and plan activities to meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent literacy, numeracy and report-writing skills.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Good computer literacy skills (e.g. with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and project reporting
  systems).
• Reliability, good attendance and work performance.
• Ability to set performance objectives and ensure these are achieved.
• Excellent organisational / admin skills and attention to detail.

Desirable

• Hold a project management qualification (APM, Prince, etc).
• Knowledge of the Mersey Catchment.
• Extensive understanding of river and estuary environments.
• Experience in developing successful funding applications.
• Managing and working with volunteers.

General Notes

• Extensive travel around the Mersey Catchment will be necessary therefore a current driving
  licence and access to a vehicle is essential.
• This position will from time to time require work during some evenings, weekends and public
  holidays to meet the needs of the post. A time-off in lieu system is operated by the Trust.

Term and Conditions

The following terms and conditions are typically offered to Mersey Rivers Trust staff and
are set out as a guide only. Terms and conditions may vary according to circumstances and this
summary does not form part of any subsequent employment 

Annual leave: 28 days annual leave pro rata plus bank holidays 

Location: Home Based

To apply: 

If you wish to apply, please send a CV (no more than two sides of A4) and covering letter (no
more than two sides of A4), outlining how you meet the requirements of the person specification
and job description and email to the Operations & Delivery Director of the Mersey Rivers
Trust, Paul Henbrey ([email protected]).

Applications must be received no later than 16th June 2023.

Interviews will be held w/c 26th June 2023; venue and format to be confirmed. 

If you would like more information on the role before submitting an application, you may
contact the Directors: Paul Henbrey 07747 446103 ([email protected]) or John Sanders 07821 117396
([email protected]).