Programme Manager

Programme Manager

Salary: £44,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Hybrid — Greengates, Bradford; the Aire catchment, and home
Reports to: Chief Executive
Line Management: 2 Project Managers

The Aire Rivers Trust is launching an ambitious Wetland Creation Programme to restore and create wetlands across the Aire valley, boosting biodiversity, climate resilience, and community benefit. We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead this transformational work and strengthen project governance across the organisation.

About Us

We are the only charity dedicated to improving the health and resilience of the River Aire and its catchment. Working with communities, landowners, local authorities, and partners, we restore habitats, enhance biodiversity, and support a thriving river environment. Our projects span river restoration, community engagement, climate adaptation, and now large-scale wetland creation.

The Role

The Programme Manager will oversee the development, coordination, and delivery of multiple wetland creation and restoration projects. You will provide strategic leadership, manage partnerships, support effective project delivery, and contribute to our wider organisational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, planning, and delivery of the Wetland Creation Programme.
• Develop programme plans that identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities.
• Act as the main point of contact for programme partners, funders, and regulators.
• Line manage and mentor two Project Managers, promoting best practice in project management.
• Maintain programme-wide governance, budgets, reporting, and monitoring systems.
• Ensure environmental impact and value-for-money outcomes are clearly demonstrated.
• Build strong relationships with landowners, local authorities, agencies, and community groups.
• Represent the Trust at partnership boards, steering groups, and public forums.
• Identify new funding opportunities and support strategic development.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Degree or equivalent experience in environmental management, ecology, or related field.
• Proven experience managing complex environmental or conservation projects/programmes.
• Strong understanding of habitat creation, wetland ecology, or catchment management.
• Experience managing staff and developing team capability.
• Excellent skills in project planning, budgeting, reporting, and risk management.
• Experience securing and delivering externally funded projects (e.g. Defra, EA, NLHF).
• Strong communication, partnership-building, and organisational skills.
• Commitment to the values of the Rivers Trust movement.

Desirable:

• Project management qualification.
• Knowledge of nature-based solutions, natural flood management, or ecosystem services.
• Experience with GIS, monitoring systems, or environmental data.
• Understanding of green finance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus public holidays, flexible hybrid working, pension scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, professional development opportunities, and the chance to lead a major landscape-scale restoration initiative.