Summary
This vacancy is for a Project Manager to help identify a long term and innovative solution around the future management of the Arlington Lake and the River Yeo which runs through the Arlington Estate within the North Devon Portfolio. Arlington Lake sits within a picturesque landscape (1820-50) of ‘considerable’ national significance (Grade II*) and is also part of the Arlington Court SSSI. The lake was created in at least two phases of landscape design and has continued to evolve as a landscape feature since. The lake is also statutory classified as a reservoir under the Reservoirs Act. The ornamental lake is silting up with approximately ½ the lake now lost, losing water depth and area and this threatens both its historic landscape and wildlife value. The situation is becoming worse as a result of climate change and so a detailed options analysis is needed to be done. Due to the complexity of the competing pressures, external partner organisations such as the Environment Agency who are part funding the work and statutory bodies involved we need a highly competent project manager to move this heritage, nature and climate project forwards.
What it’s like to work here
We’re delighted to say the amount of conservation projects we’re working on at the National Trust is rapidly increasing, so we’re looking for a number of experts to deliver this work in the South West. If successful, you’ll be out on site at some of the most beautiful places in the region. You’ll work alongside conservation experts with a wealth of knowledge and use your expertise to make a difference for our region’s historic buildings and natural environment. This role is part of the National Trust Consultancy which is home to specialists in every field of our work. It’s a flexible and deployable resource of skills, talent and experience that we to regular work and projects at our properties and places.
On the edge of Exmoor and a short distance from the North Devon coast Arlington Court is one of Britain’s best kept secrets. At the heart of the 2700 acre estate is a house with an eclectic collection including masses of model ships, piles of pewter and a museum room of the last owner’s collectables. The stables now house the National Trust’s Carriage Collection. The formal and kitchen gardens are set a little way from the house while the pleasure grounds merge into the Park and wider countryside of plateaus dropping to steep sided, wooded valleys with rushing streams. It is a place of contrast and variety. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who has real drive and ambition, joining our passionate and energetic team to make a difference.
What you’ll be doing
Creating a healthy, resilient, natural environment for enjoyment by the nation is one of the Trust’s biggest priorities and the future management of the Arlington lake in the face of climate change raises a series of questions for our organisation which we propose to explore through this high profile and eagerly anticipated project. As Project Manager you will be tasked with researching, identifying and scoping out a series of options for the future management of the Lake working closely in partnership with others such as the Environment Agency from the start. This feasibility work will respect the different values of the site, respect and enhance visitor enjoyment of the parkland, and help create a precedent and tested process for integrating a range of values and designations in the face of climate change. A clear benefit from the project will be use of the site as an example where a decision making framework can be developed, contributing to a larger piece of work (Landscape Futures & Climate Change Adaptation Tool) which will be rolled out more widely across our organisation and others. The Arlington Lake project is one of the first of its kind so there will be support from national experts and partner organisations and it will be a high profile project.
We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after thousands of houses and close to a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. We’re bigger than you think, we’re more complicated than we appear and we’re larger scale than you’d imagine. We’re for everyone, for ever and we really mean that.
Who we’re looking for
If the following describes you, then we would like to hear from you …
· Able to flourish in a complex and collaborative working environment.
· An encourager, eager to share your knowledge and experience to help others.
· Passionate about supporting the National Trust to deliver its aims and objectives.
· Someone who comes to work each day to be the best you can and to learn and develop.
· A high quality and professional project manager
To succeed in this role you’ll need to have
· An understanding of natural and historic environment conflicts, integrated approaches and trade-offs
· You will hold a recognised project (APM PMQ/Prince) or programme management (MSP) qualification and show evidence of ongoing CPD in your career to date.
· Evidence of working with statutory bodies
· Experience of working with civil/reservoir engineers
· An understanding of the flood and water management act
· Experience of working in conservation
· Experience of stakeholder management
· Experience of multi-disciplinary team working
· Strong negotiating and influencing skills
Your contractual location will be Exeter Consultancy Hub but you will be entirely focussed on the Arlington Lake Project and will be embedded into the North Devon portfolio Team.
We can be flexible about working patterns and are happy to explore and agree a working arrangement which strikes the right balance for both you and the Trust. We work within a hybrid working model which includes working at home if appropriate.
Your contractual location will be Exeter Consultancy Hub but you will be entirely focussed on the Arlington Lake Project and will be embedded into the North Devon portfolio Team.
We can be flexible about working patterns and are happy to explore and agree a working arrangement which strikes the right balance for both you and the Trust. We work within a hybrid working model which includes working at home if appropriate.
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.
Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.
Benefits for working at the National Trust include:
- Flexible working whenever possible
- Free parking at most locations
- Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
