Project Manager – Community BlueScapes Project

Project Manager for Barnes Common Limited (BCL) to work on the Community BlueScapes
Flood Resilience project (CBS).

We are seeking an experienced individual who enjoys practical project management and who is
looking to develop their career and work with the community at the cutting edge of response to
Climate Change and the specific challenges of flooding and water management.

JOB OVERVIEW & CONTEXT

BCL is recruiting a Project Manager to manage its role in the Community BlueScapes Project
(CBS). CBS aims to improve flood resilience using innovative actions by working with people and
harnessing nature. This role focuses on the delivery of five Natural Flood Management/
Sustainable Drainage System schemes to be delivered by late 2026. The role will also facilitate
wider activities within the CBS partnership project covering community engagement,
communications, learning, disseminating project learnings and helping to optimise the legacy of
the programme locally and nationally.

Barnes Common Ltd (BCL): This is an exciting opportunity to join a
small but dynamic team as a project manager in an award-winning community organisation. BCL is
a charitable company that works closely with the community to respond to the challenges of
climate change, biodiversity and wellbeing through active nature conservation and participation
in programmes aimed at building resilience to climate change within the community. BCL works in
partnership or collaboration with many other organisations, particularly Richmond Council
(LBRuT).

Community BlueScapes Project (CBS): BCL’s key partners in CBS are
LBRuT and Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). The CBS project is one of 25 schemes nationwide
forming part of Defra/EA’s Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme. CBS’s primary aim
is to promote innovative flood resilience relating to surface water flooding in the urban
environment within the Beverley Brook catchment in Richmond. CBS is harnessing community
engagement, Nature Based Solutions, Natural Flood Management and Sustainable Drainage Systems
(SuDS) to achieve meaningful flood resilience.

The team: The Project Manager will work closely with the small but dedicated teams at both BCL
and with our partners on CBS.

Based at: The Pavilion, Vine Road Recreation Ground, Barnes, London, SW13 0NE.

Responsible to: The Board of Barnes Common Limited.

Contract & Hours: This is a fixed term contract until 31/03/27 based on an annual salary of
£35,000 to £45,000 depending on experience.

Performance: Performance will be regularly reviewed by the BCL Board in consultation with the
CBS team. Emphasis will be placed on the delivery of targeted outputs and contribution to the
wider outcomes of the CBS programme.

JOB DESCRIPTION & PRINCIPAL DUTIES

To project manage the CBS projects for BCL and in particular to:

• Provide direction and leadership to BCL staff, volunteers and other members of the
  community engaged with the CBS programme.
• Deliver the outputs and meet the objectives of the CBS programme effectively and
  efficiently.
• Work collaboratively with BCL’s key partners, including London Borough of Richmond upon
  Thames (LBRuT) and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) in the delivery of the programme.
• Support monitoring and evaluation and coordinate / provide reports for BCL projects.
• Support the Communications and Community Engagement Action Plans to help raise awareness,
  encourage engagement and promote active participation across the wider community. This may
  include running workshops, displays or exhibitions and leading walks and talks.
• Contribute to a strong legacy through effective dissemination, partnership working and
  commitment to the sustainable development of water courses.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Either a degree or equivalent experience and practical knowledge in a relevant discipline,
  (e.g. natural resources management, environmental engineering / management or river/catchment
  restoration).
• Demonstrable track record managing projects to completion according to outlined scope,
  budget and timeline with relevant work experience.
• Good project management skills including leadership, time-management, prioritisation and
  organisation with financial / budgetary / auditing disciplines.
• A Team player with a ‘Can do’ attitude, happy to fit in with and build on other team
  member’s expertise.
• A willing and open communicator with good verbal and written communication skills,
  providing clear guidance and technical support with high-quality presentation and formal report
  writing.
• Someone who enjoys working with residents and volunteers from local communities, building
  strong partnering relationships.
• Experience of consultation with stakeholders including partners, such as government bodies,
  Environment Agency, other LLFA’s, water companies and trusts.
• Ability to think innovatively to develop solutions, using an adaptable and pragmatic
  approach, (problem-solving skills as well as learning from positive and negative experience).
• Effective IT and data skills (Outlook, Word, Power Point); skilled in use of GIS mapping
  (QGIS or ARC); experience of other data modelling / research work would be useful.

A satisfactory enhanced DBS check and two references.

• A clean UK driving license would be desirable.

An appreciation of Flood Resilience would be desirable including:

• A sound appreciation of the potential impacts of climate change on flooding and drought.
• A sound appreciation of rivers and the main causes of flooding – pluvial, fluvial, ground
  water and tidal.
• A sound understanding of the key drivers and issues relating to sustainable Flood Risk
  Management along with the potential response measures used, such as alleviation, mitigation and
  attenuation. A knowledge and experience of Natural Flood Management i.e. nature based solutions
  and SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems).
• Knowledge and understanding of building construction and the effects that flood damage can
  cause.
• A recognised qualification or accreditation in project management (e.g. PRINCE2; APM)
• Experience of delivering an engineering or environmental project based on NBS would be a
  bonus.

JOB TERMS & CONDITIONS

This will be a fixed term contract, initially for two years, after which, if all parties are in
agreement, the contract will then be extended to the end of the Community BlueScapes project
which is scheduled for 31st March 2027.

Salary: £35-45,000 per annum depending on experience

Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week). Some evening, weekend work may be required (TOIL);
Flexible hours with some WFH possible.

Holidays: 28 working days per annum in addition to the normal 8 public bank holidays.

Pension: A basic ‘defined contribution’ pension complying with the government ‘opt out’ pension
legislation. BCL operates a policy of postponement for the first three months.

Probationary Period: 4 months

Notice Period: 1 month’s notice during probation; thereafter 3 months.

Place of Work: The post will be based at the Vine Road Recreation Ground, Barnes Common, London
Borough of Richmond, SW13 0NE

Training: BCL is an equal opportunities employer and committed to supporting personal
development and training.

APPLICATION:

CV’s and a short covering note should be sent to [email protected] as can any initial
queries about the position. Deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 19th August with first
interviews expected to commence later that week with second interviews following shortly
afterwards in anticipation of a likely start date around early September.

Receipt of applications will be acknowledged but any further communication will only be with
those who are called for interview.