Networks for Nature Project Manager

Temporary contract May 2023-August 2024.

35 hours per week, worked predominantly between 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. Weekend and evening work may be required to meet the needs of the project for which time off in lieu will be given.

We are Chester Zoo

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

We have teamed up with Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Land Trust, Sustrans, The Canal and River Trust, Cheshire Wildlife Trust and Cheshire West Communities Together to deliver Networks for Nature.

Networks for Nature is an ambitious landscape scale community conservation project spanning from Chester to Ellesmere Port. The project will connect wildlife with wildlife, people with wildlife, and people with people. Our vision is for Networks for Nature to create a thriving, more connected, wildlife-rich landscape across a peri-urban area in Northwest Cheshire, benefitting both people and nature, and maintained through community collaboration and partnership.

The Role – Networks for Nature Project Manager

We currently have an exciting vacancy for a Project Manager to join our Conservation Education & Engagement team working specifically on the Networks for Nature (NFN) Project. Reporting to the Community Engagement Manager, with the support of a project team. This project is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). This role will be within the Development Phase of the project with a focus on community consultation. To find out more about the previous project which led to this big next step visit https://www.chesterzoo.org/what-you-can-do/nature-recovery-corridor/

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Work in collaboration with the project team, project partners and a wide range of departments within Chester Zoo to deliver the development phase consultations, project activity and write up of the stage 2 application, including developing the detailed project plan for the next phase of the Project’s delivery.
• Manage budgets associated with the project, ensuring delivery is cost effective and in line with the development phase budget plan, reporting to Community Engagement Manager and/or Director of Conservation Education as required. Produce a detailed budget for the delivery phase of the project, collaborating with the finance and fundraising team to identify sources of match funding and produce a detailed cash flow for the project.
• Manage and motivate project staff, including appraisal, performance management and ensuring all CPD needs are meet. Write job descriptions and plan staffing resourcing for the delivery phase of the project.
• Develop consultancy briefs and job descriptions for the delivery of works that will form part of the delivery phase of the project, drawing on technical knowledge of other zoo staff as required.
• Ensure that all project activities are safe and appropriately risk assessed, liaising with specialist staff and Health and Safety Advisors as appropriate.
• Ensure that all stakeholders are effectively engaged in the development of the stage 2 application, through leading meetings and consultation events and through gathering reports from project staff and consultants working on the project.
• Report to Project Board, the Project Steering Group, and Project Working Group, ensuring the relevant CZ staff/external organisations are engaged for successful delivery of outcomes and that appropriate sign offs are sought throughout the stage 2 application process..

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes…

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Contract Type – Temporary
• 35 hours per week
• Salary £31,959.86 per annum
• 33 days annual leave pro rota plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%
  

Our requirements – Networks for Nature Project Manager

• Substantial experience planning, leading and managing projects with demonstrable project management skills and knowledge, experience of working collaboratively with project partners, managing project staff and tracking project progress.
• Experience leading community and partner consultation, facilitating meetings and coordinating events to gather input from a range of relevant stakeholders. Ensuring participants feel heard and using information gathered to inform future plans.
• Experience developing community programmes and projects, preferably within an environmental education or conservation focused organisation.
• Experience in developing funding bids including application writing, budget writing and project plan development. The post holder will have experience of planning large scale projects with demonstrable examples from previous work.
• Attention to detail and critical thinking are essential.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, demonstrated through a wide range of experience presenting to different audiences, teaching and delivering learning in different formats (workshops, presentations, talks, tours etc.)
• IT skills: Skilled in the use of all key Microsoft packages and use of digital technologies for public engagement.
• Organisational skills: Excellent time management, administration and planning skills. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, meeting deadlines and ensuring appropriate quality control.
• Managing people: Experience of supervising the work of others and working with volunteers.
• Interpersonal skills: Excellent diplomacy and interpersonal skills. Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with positive attitude and also to enthuse and engage others. The role requires the post holder to work extensively across different departments and with external colleagues.
• Full driving licence

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Subject knowledge: The post holder does not require a working knowledge of conservation and the key issues threatening the natural world today but this is preferable.

Closing date for applications is midnight on 14th May 2023. We will be reviewing applications and conducting interviews during this period and this advert will close early if we find a suitable candidate for the role.

Networks for Nature is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.