Water Stewardship Business Engagement Manager

The Rivers Trust is a leading environmental charity and the umbrella body of The Rivers
Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities. Our vision is for wild,
healthy, natural rivers, valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as we expand
to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural environment, and
our research and expertise is now needed more urgently than ever as water supply and quality
move up the public agenda in response to the climate and water
crisis.

We are looking for a motivated and highly organised person to fill the newly created position
of Water Stewardship Business Engagement Manager for North West England.

This is a pivotal position, the first of its kind, focusing on corporate-community
collaboration in water stewardship and ecosystem services including replenishment of water and
Natural Flood Management in relation to business operations. You will be working with
businesses in the North West region, initially in the Glenderamackin and Eden Catchment areas
and with local Rivers Trusts in Cumbria, as well as a range of other key actors, including
landowners, utility companies, regulators and local organisations, to identify and develop a
pipeline of water stewardship projects and funding opportunities to deliver environmental
improvements at the landscape scale.

We are looking for an entrepreneurial and determined professional who has been involved in
building public-private sector partnerships and has a track record of running similar projects,
and supporting their implementation, in an agile environment. Whilst environmental and
freshwater knowledge and experience is desirable, we are primarily looking for someone who can
deliver professional and effective partnership working.

The successful candidate will be part of the Strategy and Water Stewardship team at The Rivers
Trust, but the position will be hosted locally by West Cumbria Rivers Trust, working initially
on the ground breaking Resilient Glenderamackin Landscape Recovery Pilot project alongside an
enthusiastic and friendly team, in a thriving movement, and making a meaningful personal
contribution to environmental protection and improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying opportunities to engage businesses through the sale of ecosystem services.
• Building on existing public-private partnerships being developed to deliver landscape
  recovery projects.
• Developing new projects and secure funding for our activities in the North West of England.
• Managing multi-sector stakeholder relationships to achieve partnership and project
  objectives.
• Advising and supporting local Rivers Trusts on project management, business plan
  development and corporate partnerships for nature finance projects.
• Reviewing project progress, managing risks and reporting to partners and funders.
• Developing business engagement strategies to support the development of corporate
  partnerships.
• Act as The Rivers Trust’s point of contact for business engagement on water stewardship and
  ecosystem services in the North West of England.

This is a full-time, permanent position (subject to ongoing funding). It is a home-based role,
though the job holder will be required to work one day a week from WCRT offices in Keswick and
travel regularly across the North West of England and occasionally further afield. We offer
flexibility around working hours – time off in lieu is also available. We offer 25 days holiday
pro rata (rising to 28 days) plus statutory holiday days. We pride ourselves on being an equal
opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all communities. We are happy to adjust
for people with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities.

The role is a grade 4 position which has a starting salary of £33,461, plus benefits
including 9% employer pension contribution.

Essential knowledge, skills, and experience

• Commercial acumen and entrepreneurial drive, with a proven ability to secure funding and
  support for projects.
• Commercial contract delivery experience.
• Experience working with corporate partners, state organisations and private landowners.
• Experience of building, developing, and maintaining significant internal and external
  relationships with a wide range of private and public partners.
• Proven ability to think strategically and influence the views of others.
• Proven ability to achieve delivery through others.
• Excellent communication skills – particularly in a presentation context when communicating
  to a range of different audiences.
• Experience of reporting to business partners/funders, including evidencing milestone and
  outcome delivery.
• Knowledge of the principles of water stewardship and volumetric benefit accounting.
• Self-starter, with proven ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams while working
  remotely.
• Detail and deadline-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities.
• Must be proficient in using computers and Microsoft Office software 
• The ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight stays when necessary (e.g.
  to attend events and conferences, or visit key stakeholders on-site)

Desirable criteria, only include these if you have them:

• A qualification in an environmental subject, water stewardship and volumetric benefit
  accounting
• Project management training and/or qualifications
• Knowledge of climate change impacts and appropriate mitigation measures.

Everyone who works for us is expected to contribute to a respectful and inclusive working
culture and follow our policies and procedures including Health & Safety, EDI,
Cybersecurity and GDPR.

Closing date: Wednesday 24th April 2024

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on or soon after the 1st May