Engagement Manager

We're looking for an Engagement Manager for an innovative and ground breaking nature, heritage and culture research partnership project in the North East. Using your skills in engagement and experience in project delivery, you will enable high quality collaboration and research activity between a wide range of stakeholders.

This is a proactive, external-facing role, ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people, communities and organisations and seizing opportunities to work collaboratively to increase people's access to green space and nature.

This is a fixed term contract until February 2028, working 30 hours per a week.

Internally you'll be known as 'Community, Participation & Volunteering Manager'.

What it's like to work here

Your work will contribute to the Green Corridors North East research project (GCNE), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) over three years, to revitalise green spaces with communities in Gateshead, Durham and Teesside.

The Tyne Derwent Way is one of three 'Green Corridor' initiatives across the North East and is where this role will be located. The project area connects the urban communities in the centre of Gateshead, with the beautiful Derwent Valley along the rivers Tyne and Derwent. The route is rich with nature, culture and heritage.

You will join a matrix project team of colleagues from a range of institutions including the National Trust, Newcastle University, Teesside University, Durham University, Local Authorities, Tyne + Wear Building Preservation and local voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations.

As part of this matrix project team working across organisational boundaries and with a wide stakeholder base, the work will be varied and covering a broad range of interests.

Your host organisation for this role will be the National Trust, however, you will deliver the research project collaboratively working closely with the Tyne Derwent Way delivery team and the dedicated GCNE project roles at Newcastle University and the National Trust, to ensure project planning and deliverables are aligned, appropriately supported and evaluated for impact.

What you'll be doing

You will play a key role engaging and working with local community groups and residents to co-develop community-led research initiatives linked to nature connectivity, heritage and culture with a strong focus on creative engagement approaches and community capacity building.

Working with the Tyne Derwent Way delivery team and closely with Newcastle University's Research Manager (Research and Innovation Associate) you will collaborate to support the design, planning and delivery of research initiatives with communities and stakeholders, ensuring alignment to research requirements and objectives. You will coordinate stakeholder activities, offer practical delivery support, and ensure consistent and highly effective project communication across partners.

You will ensure work is planned and aligned with National Trust strategic objectives and the impact of this work is captured and shared to build confidence and capability across teams. You will play an important role in contributing knowledge, insight and best practice, supporting and strengthening the team development and learning ensuring long-term legacy from this work.

Delivery will take place on the Tyne Derwent Way in Gateshead. The Tyne Derwent Way team work flexibly from a number of locations including St Mary's Heritage Centre, the Staiths Space in Dunston, Holy Jesus Hospital (Newcastle) and Gibside.

You will also be a key part of the National Trust's NE Urban Team where you can expect support from the newly appointed North Research Officer, alongside the wider NE Urban team.

Who we're looking for

• Experience of community work.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including experience with public-facing engagement.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of diverse stakeholders (e.g. community groups, academics, local authorities, creative organisations, health and wellbeing initiatives).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, building productive relationships.
• Experience tracking, monitoring, and reconciling budgets responsibly.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends (TOIL available; no overtime payments).
• Strong IT competency for effective reporting, record-keeping, finance management, and communication.
• Completion of successful Advanced DBS check.

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 (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• 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