Development Phase Programme Manager

TRT Development Phase Programme Manager

Employment Terms

• Role Title: Development Phase Programme Manager
• Hosting Organisation: Thames Rivers Trust (TRT)
• Responsible to: TRT Chief Executive Officer
• Responsible for: Oversight of programme development, partner coordination, timeline management, and funding bid preparation
• FTE: 1.0
• Contract Type: Fixed term (12 months)
• Start Date: February - March 2026 (subject to The National Lottery Heritage Fund Permission to Start)
• Salary Range: £40,000 - £45,000, depending on experience
• Location: Home-based with regular travel to London and Thames Basin partner locations
• Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend commitments
• Annual Leave: 25 days per year plus public holidays
• Probation Period: 3 months, during which annual leave is by agreement only
• Pension: TRT operates a contributory pension scheme; details available on request

Hosting Organisation Overview

Thames Rivers Trust (TRT) is a catchment-based environmental charity focused on enhancing river health and resilience throughout the Thames Basin. As a convening organisation, TRT collaborates with local delivery partners, statutory agencies, and funders to implement nature-based solutions, support environmental data infrastructure, and improve community access to blue spaces. TRT also coordinates the Thames Catchment Community Eels Project (TCCEP), building on a tradition of multi-partner catchment initiatives to achieve significant environmental and social benefits.

The Thames Catchment Community Eels Project (TCCEP) is a £3 million flagship programme delivered by Thames Rivers Trust in partnership with seven NGOs and catchment groups. The Development Phase, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, runs from January 2026 to April 2027 and lays the groundwork for a three-year Delivery Phase () across six sub-catchments. This builds on the successful Phase 1 pilot funded through The Green Recovery Challenge Fund (). More info:

Project Overview

Project Title: Thames Catchment Community Eels Project (TCCEP)

Funded By: The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Development Phase)

Development Phase Duration: 1 Year

Coordinating Organisation: Thames Rivers Trust (TRT)

Project Summary: The Thames Catchment Community Eels Project (TCCEP) is a collaborative, catchment-scale initiative that supports the recovery of the critically endangered European eel by removing migration barriers, restoring river habitats, and reconnecting communities with their local water environments. The project builds on the success of a pilot phase funded through the Green Recovery Challenge Fund (), which trained over 200 volunteers, surveyed more than 450 barriers, and helped catalyse collaborative action across the Thames Basin. During this Development Phase (2026), partners will work together to finalise the programme design for a three-year Delivery Phase (). This includes site-level feasibility studies, co-designed community engagement, capital project planning, evaluation framework development, and a final funding application for the Delivery Phase. Alongside habitat restoration, the programme also emphasises education, equity, climate resilience, and long-term legacy, using the iconic eel as a flagship species to inspire action and foster connection.

Job Summary

This essential role will oversee the coordination, governance, and planning of the TCCEP Development Phase. The Programme Manager will supervise the programme's daily operations, manage partner input into key workstreams (capital design, education, citizen science, inclusion), and ensure that timelines, budgets, and deliverables meet The Heritage Fund expectations. The role involves direct responsibility for preparing the Delivery Phase funding application and ensuring that the Development Phase creates a strong legacy platform for long-term impact. This includes coordinating evaluation planning, risk registers, governance frameworks, and a sustainable funding strategy. The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to facilitate collaboration among multiple partners across diverse catchments and disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management and Delivery:

• Lead day-to-day coordination of all Development Phase activities across partner organisations. You will be supported by a team including a Learning & Engagement Officer, Finance & Admin Officer and four external consultants (activity, conservation, interpretation, evaluation), alongside the TRT CEO and key staff from the delivery partners
• Manage and update the programme timeline, risk register, and delivery plan
• Oversee preparation and submission of the Delivery Phase application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund
• Track milestones and ensure high-quality deliverables across capital planning, education, evaluation, and engagement workstreams

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Convene and chair monthly partner meetings and quarterly Programme Board meetings
• Act as the central contact for The Heritage Fund, Environment Agency, and strategic stakeholders
• Facilitate input from delivery partners, ensuring alignment with shared priorities and timelines

Communications and Reporting:

• Support production of communication materials including briefings, reports, and evaluation summaries
• Collate and submit regular updates to The Heritage Fund
• Ensure clear and effective internal communications among partners

Legacy and Strategy:

• Lead development of the project legacy strategy and post-2030 sustainability plans
• Coordinate funding strategy work with TRT's Fundraising Officer
• Embed climate resilience, equity, and inclusion principles across project planning

Person Specification

Essential:

• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-partner programmes
• Strong organisational, planning, and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with funder reporting and application development (preferably The Heritage Fund or equivalent)
• Ability to manage timelines, budgets, and risk registers with minimal supervision
• Strategic thinker with a collaborative working style

Desirable:

• Knowledge of river restoration, catchment management, or eel ecology
• Experience with The National Lottery Heritage Fund or similar funders is desirable
• Familiarity with Thames catchment geography and delivery networks
• Experience using collaborative tools and evaluation frameworks in multi-stakeholder programmes
• Understanding of equity and inclusion in environmental programme design

Additional Requirements:

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for site visits and meetings
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends
• Willingness to travel throughout the Thames Basin and London region

Conditions of Service:

• Fixed term for one year, though we would look to extend the role, subject to alternative funding being available to cover the period between the end of the Development Phase and commencement of the Delivery Phase (3-5 months)
• Standard working week is 37.5 hours, with flexible working arrangements considered
• The role may involve fieldwork, travel to meetings across the Thames Basin, and working outdoors in varying conditions
• No overtime will be paid; time off in lieu may be taken with prior agreement

Application Process

To apply, please send:

• A CV (no more than 2 pages).
• A one-page covering letter detailing your interest and suitability for the role.

Send applications by an email via the button below.

Deadline: 11.59pm Friday 16th January 2026.

Interviews: 27th - 30th January 2026.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact by an email.