Project Manager

We are seeking a professional Project Manager with experience of civil engineering projects for this exciting opportunity. The successful candidate will be the client-side project manager for high-profile, civil engineering projects in the Dorset and Wiltshire area.

Based at Tisbury in our regional office, you'll work across the Dorset and Wiltshire area, initially on projects at Stourhead and Brownsea Island. You'll be responsible for ensuring project benefits and outcomes are delivered through civil engineering solutions. You'll also get involved in other types of projects or provide advice as the need arises.

What it's like to work here

You'll be part of the Trust's internal consultancy: a flexible resource of specialist skills and expertise including curators, fundraisers, building surveyors, nature conservation advisors and project managers who collaborate with properties to delivery our strategy.

Your contractual place of work will be the National Trust office at Tisbury. Our hybrid working policy means you can balance office and home working with site visits and meetings at other National Trust places. You should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40-60% of your working week.

You'll be joining a team of project managers who are motivated and passionate about working at pace and scale. We aim to facilitate lasting change by collaborating, learning and adapting in a supportive team environment.

Day-to-day, you'll work closely with teams at Brownsea Island and at Stourhead initially, as well as building and leading teams of internal and external consultants and contractors. You'll get to be out on site at some of the most beautiful places in the south west.

What you'll be doing

As our internal 'client-side' Project Manager, you'll be our informed project lead responsible for projects which secure sustainable access and safe operations, through the delivery of engineering solutions.

Your first projects will be important water-based civil engineering projects. Brownsea's jetty at Sandbanks is core to the island's operational logistics but it requires replacement. The project is currently in the detailed design phase, with construction due to commence in spring 2025. The project will secure safe and improved access to this nature paradise for the foreseeable future. At Stourhead, the stunning garden lakes require work to secure their ongoing compliance as statutory reservoirs. The project is about to enter the detailed design phase.

You'll use your project management skills and experience of civil engineering projects to tender and manage contracts with external design consultants and construction project teams; engaging with stakeholders and representing the Trust's interests to ensure our requirements are delivered. This will include ensuring that works respond appropriately to our unique historic settings.

You'll drive the business case and lead the projects through the National Trust's Project Management Framework, ensuring designs, consents, construction and sign-off are delivered through the required governance and decision-making routes. The role will involve proactively defining and managing budgets, resources, programmes/schedules, dependencies, risks and issues. You'll be expected to communicate with groups and individuals of varied degrees of technical knowledge.

As an active player in the National Trust's project management community, you'll provide informal support and mentorship to colleagues. Through everything you do, you'll lead for climate action and for an inclusive culture.

Who we're looking for

We invite applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a complex and collaborative working environment and has the drive and ambition to make a difference.

Please refer to the role description attached and the additional criteria for experience of professionally managing projects in the built environment.

We'll shortlist against the following minimum criteria:

• able to demonstrate experience of successfully delivering complex end to end project/programme management in the built environment, defining resources, running tenders, appointing and managing the performance of multidisciplinary design teams and on-site contractors
• a project professional with technical knowledge and skills in project management demonstrated by a recognised project (AMP PMQ/Prince2) or programme management (MSP) qualification, and able to evidence ongoing CPD in your career to date
• a flexible thinker and problem-solver, skilled at negotiating and building productive networks, and confident in using your expertise to influence decisions with senior leaders
• a skilled communicator, with experience of managing complex and challenging situations with competing interests and a diverse range of people
• a leader for inclusion, who finds ways to create an inclusive culture
• knowledge and experience of how to ensure legal and professional duties for built environment projects are discharged (including CDM and Building Safety Act).
• experience of delivering civil engineering projects (reservoirs, jetties, quays, waterways or other relevant sectors such as highways), working with external teams through NEC and JCT contracts
• an understanding of the complexities involved in working within a sensitive conservation environment.

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.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places