Location: Hybrid – home-based with regular travel across the Bristol Avon catchment
Salary: £34,000–£38,000 depending on experience Plus 9% pension contribution & Life Assurance Scheme
Contract Type: Full time, permanent (subject to funding)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Reporting to: Head of River Recovery
Line Management: Project Officer(s) and Project Assistant(s)
Travel: A full UK driving licence and access to a car is essential. Mileage expenses paid at 45p/mile.
Start date: As soon as possible
About the Role
We’re looking for an experienced, motivated and technically skilled Project Manager – Natural Flood Management (NFM) & Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to lead on the design and delivery of an exciting portfolio of river and wetland restoration projects, with a particular focus on NFM and (NbS across the Bristol Avon catchment. You’ll manage a diverse mix of projects — from installation of leaky dams, agricultural ponds and SuDS to wetland creation and soil health initiatives — ensuring they are delivered to a high standard, on time, and within budget. This role is hands-on: you’ll be managing project officers, liaising with contractors, working directly with landowners, and securing consents and permits. You’ll be equally at home in a muddy field as you are writing funding bids or presenting at stakeholder meetings.
As BART’s technical lead for NFM, you’ll champion a catchment-based approach, using evidence and modelling to guide interventions and help secure long-term funding. You’ll work with our Head of River Recovery, the Project Manager – River Restoration and CEO to grow our pipeline of impactful NFM & NBS projects and to embed nature-based solutions across our programmes. As a key role with BART Team, you will also be working closely with our Land Management and Engagement Teams.
A key part of this role includes overseeing BART’s portfolio of NFM work on the Bristol Frome working with partners via the Resilient Frome project which has received over £6 million from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to develop six projects that will deliver sustainable solutions to land and water management, improve flood resilience, respond to climate change and bring a range of benefits to communities covering the whole River Frome catchment.
Key Responsibilities
- Project Development & Delivery
- Lead on the design and implementation of NFM, wetlands, SuDS, and wider catchment restoration projects.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with landowners, farmers, contractors, and key stakeholders.
- Oversee all aspects of project delivery — from feasibility assessments to design, procurement, delivery and evaluation.
- Use your technical knowledge to develop practical and innovative interventions such as leaky dams, wetland scrapes, floodplain reconnection, tree planting, and swales.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and CDM responsibilities.
- Team & Contractor Management
- Line manage Project Officers and Assistants, supporting them to grow their skills and deliver their projects effectively.
- Manage contractors on site, ensuring high-quality and safe delivery of works.
- Coordinate training and knowledge-sharing sessions for staff and volunteers.
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
- Track budgets, delivery schedules, and project milestones.
- Undertake and/or oversee monitoring of installed NFM measures and restoration outcomes.
- Maintain accurate project records and provide updates to funders, trustees, and senior staff.
- Partnerships, Outreach & Engagement
- Promote best practice land management and flood resilience through events, workshops, and community engagement.
- Represent BART at forums, workshops, and strategic catchment partnerships.
- Help raise the profile of our work through blogs, social media, and press content.
- Fundraising & Strategy
- Identify new funding opportunities and contribute to successful bids and tenders.
- Work with the senior team to grow the Catchment Restoration programme in line with BART’s strategy.
- Champion integrated and multi-benefit approaches to river restoration and catchment management.
Person Specification
| Criteria | Essential / Desirable |
| A degree or equivalent experience in a relevant environmental discipline | Essential |
| Proven experience delivering practical environmental or river restoration projects | Essential |
| Experience working with contractors, landowners and multiple stakeholders | Essential |
| Strong understanding of river ecosystems, hydrology and Working with Natural Processes | Essential |
| Good understanding of agriculture and soil health principles | Essential |
| Experience line managing staff or leading project teams | Desirable |
| Strong project management skills, including budget and time tracking | Essential |
| Ability to write funding bids and secure grants/contracts | Desirable |
| Experience with GIS and data analysis for catchment modelling | Essential |
| Excellent communication and interpersonal skills | Essential |
| Competence in using Microsoft Office software | Essential |
| Experience using social media and websites for engagement | Desirable |
| Enthusiastic, self-motivated and highly organised | Essential |
| Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends | Essential |
| Full driving licence and access to a vehicle | Essential |
Why Join BART?
We are a passionate and growing rivers trust, driven by a vision for healthy, resilient rivers and communities. You’ll join a supportive and collaborative team working on projects that genuinely make a difference. We’re committed to staff development and wellbeing, and we offer flexible working and opportunities to shape your role.
How to Apply
Please send a CV and covering letter (max 2 pages) explaining why you’re the right person for this role to nickz@bristolavonriverstrust.org
Deadline: Midnight Sunday 25th May 2025
Interviews: w/c 2nd June 2025 (TBC)
Please note, due to limited resources you will only be contacted should you be successful in gaining an interview. We would like to thank you for your interest in this position.
Thank you for your interest in applying for a role with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.
