Catchment Restoration Project Manager

Location: Hybrid working (BART Bristol office and home-based) with regular travel across the Bristol Avon Catchment
Salary: £35,529–£39,476 per annum (dependent on experience), with scope for progression as you develop and grow within the role.
Working Arrangements: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) – Flexible working arrangements considered.
Application Deadline: Midnight Sunday 26th July

Restore Rivers. Recover Nature. Shape Landscapes.

Do you want to deliver projects that leave a lasting legacy for rivers, wildlife and communities?

Are you passionate about restoring nature and tackling some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time?

Do you want to work with landowners, communities and partners to create healthier rivers, thriving wetlands, resilient landscapes and more sustainable catchments?

If so, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) would love to hear from you.

We are looking for an exceptional Catchment Restoration Project Manager to join our growing team and help deliver an ambitious programme of river restoration, wetland creation, natural flood management and nature recovery projects across the Bristol Avon catchment.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of one of the South West’s most important river systems, working at the forefront of practical environmental delivery during a period of unprecedented investment in nature recovery and climate resilience.

Why This Role Matters

The rivers of the Bristol Avon catchment face significant challenges from climate change, habitat loss, flooding, water quality pressures and biodiversity decline.

At the same time, there has never been a greater opportunity to restore our natural environment.

BART is growing rapidly and has secured significant investment to deliver projects that reconnect rivers with their floodplains, create wetlands, improve habitats, reduce flood risk, improve water quality and support wildlife recovery at scale.

We are now seeking a passionate and capable project manager to help turn this ambition into action.

The projects you deliver will create tangible environmental improvements that can be seen, measured and enjoyed for generations to come.

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust

Founded in 2012, Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) is an ambitious and award-winning environmental charity dedicated to restoring and protecting the rivers, streams, wetlands and estuaries of the Bristol Avon catchment.

Over the last decade, we have grown from a small grassroots organisation into a trusted catchment partnership delivering over £1 million of environmental investment annually across the region.

Our team works from the headwaters of the Cotswolds to the Severn Estuary, delivering practical solutions that improve river health, restore ecosystems, support sustainable land management and strengthen resilience to climate change.

We work closely with catchment partnerships, farmers, landowners, local authorities, businesses, water companies, community groups and environmental organisations to create lasting change on the ground.

Our vision is simple:

A healthy river system that supports thriving wildlife, resilient communities and sustainable landscapes.

The Opportunity

During a working week you could be working across a variety of tasks including:

• Developing designs with the BART team for a river restoration scheme.
• Working with landowners to explore the most appropriate and effective solutions.
• Writing applications and producing supporting documents for permits, undertaking procurement for contractors, and drafting contracts.
• Coordinating contractors to create new wetlands to support biodiversity and improve water quality.
• Oversee installation of natural flood management interventions that help protect communities downstream.
• Undertaking walkover surveys and site visits to identify opportunities and constraints.
• Working with catchment partnerships, partners, and stakeholders to influence and develop landscape-scale opportunities.
• Developing funding proposals that unlock future investment in nature recovery.

You will manage a diverse portfolio of projects from concept through to completion, combining technical expertise, stakeholder engagement and practical delivery to achieve measurable environmental outcomes.

You will have the opportunity to influence the direction of projects, develop new ideas and play a key role in shaping BART’s future programme of work.

What You’ll Be Doing

Project Delivery

• Lead the development and delivery of river restoration, wetland creation, natural flood management and wider nature-based solution projects.
• Manage projects from inception through to completion.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to a high standard.
• Develop project plans, manage risks and oversee project reporting.
• Line management of Project Officers

Partnership Working

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, landowners, farmers, regulators, local authorities, contractors and delivery partners.
• Represent BART at partnership meetings, workshops and stakeholder events.
• Help identify and develop new opportunities for collaborative working.

Technical Delivery

• Undertake and oversee environmental surveys and site assessments.
• Prepare specifications, tender documents, restoration designs, and technical reports.
• Secure permits, consents and landowner agreements required for project delivery.
• Manage contractors and suppliers in accordance with procurement and CDM requirements.

Leadership

• Line manage and mentor Project Officers and Project Assistants.
• Support the development of technical skills and professional growth within the team.
• Promote a positive, collaborative and solutions-focused culture.

Future Growth

• Contribute to project development and fundraising activities.
• Support the preparation of funding applications and business cases.
• Help build a strong pipeline of future projects that deliver environmental impact across the catchment.

About You

You are passionate about rivers, nature recovery and environmental improvement.

You combine strong project management skills with the ability to build trusted relationships and turn ideas into successful projects.

You enjoy working both strategically and practically, and are motivated by seeing tangible environmental outcomes delivered on the ground.

You may come from a background in river restoration, ecology, environmental consultancy, fisheries, hydrology, engineering, conservation, land management or a related field.

Most importantly, you will share our passion for restoring rivers and creating healthier landscapes.

Essential

• Experience delivering river restoration, wetland creation, natural flood management or land management projects.
• Excellent project management and organisational skills.
• Experience managing budgets, contractors, procurement and project delivery.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Experience managing or mentoring staff and volunteers.
• Environmental survey experience, including habitats, water quality or land management assessments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Bristol Avon catchment.
• Experience delivering river restoration or nature-based solutions projects.
• GIS and spatial data skills, including ArcGIS.
• Experience securing grant funding and developing projects.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution.
• Practical river restoration or habitat creation experience.

Why Join BART?

This is an exciting time to join Bristol Avon Rivers Trust.

As part of our team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Deliver projects with genuine and lasting environmental impact.
• Work alongside passionate and highly skilled colleagues.
• Take ownership of meaningful and varied work.
• Develop your technical and professional skills.
• Influence the future direction of a growing organisation.
• Work flexibly through a hybrid working model.
• Be part of an organisation that values innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.

Most importantly, you will help restore rivers, recover wildlife and create more resilient landscapes across the Bristol Avon catchment.

Few roles offer the opportunity to see such visible and lasting results from your work.

Thank you for your interest in joining Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and helping us create healthier rivers for wildlife, people and future generations.