Regional Development Manager (South East of England)

The Rivers Trust is a leading environmental charity and the umbrella body of The Rivers
Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities. Our vision is for wild,
healthy, natural rivers, valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as we expand
to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural environment, and
our research and expertise is now needed more urgently than ever as water supply and quality
move up the public agenda.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial and dynamic individual to join our Regional Development Team
working across the South East of England. You will have three primary functions:

1. To lead the development of strategic partnerships at regional level, including with water
   companies, and other strategic funding partners;
2. To support our member Trusts to build their capacity and capability to access emerging
   strategic funding opportunities; and,
3. To contribute to and lead on workstreams within the Rivers Trust Network Support Services to
   align nationally and deliver the most impact for our member Trusts.

The role will involve facilitating cooperation, planning and coordination between member Rivers
Trusts in the region, as well as key stakeholders such as water companies, the Environment
Agency, catchment partners and others.

You should ideally have excellent people, planning and project management skills, with some
commercial experience. You will also have a strong commitment to restoration of the water
environment and a good understanding of environmental issues, working with water companies,
environmental NGOs, government agencies and consultancies.

This is a full time, home-based and permanent position working as part of the Strategy and
Stewardship team at The Rivers Trust. The need for the role is to both provide career break
cover within the wider regional development team and to provide a specific focus on the South
East region. The role will require occasional evening and weekend working and candidates will
need to have access to their own transport. 

Key Responsibilities include:

• Supporting the development of our member trusts and the regional hubs in the South East of
  England.
• Working with water companies, catchment partners and other stakeholders, to provide
  coordination on the identification of options at catchment scale, for addressing water quality
  drivers and delivery of multiple benefits, in alignment with the individual partnership
  objectives.
• Supporting rivers trusts and catchment partnerships to build capability and capacity, to
  enable them to tackle complex issues and deliver large-scale improvements to rivers and their
  catchment areas.
• Use regional activity to develop the Rivers Trust’s Network Support Services and thereby
  deliver impact nationwide for member Trusts.
• Identify, develop and secure co-funding opportunities to support strategic investment in
  the region.
• Taking an evidence-based approach and application of best practice to drive best value for
  money for customers, communities and the environment.
• Building and maintaining relationships with others nationally
• Ability to think ‘outside the box’ and identify novel solutions that can improve the water
  environment.
• Ensure agreed outcomes are delivered to the highest quality.
• Accountable for reporting on outcomes internally and externally

The role is a grade 6 position which has a starting salary of £53,905, plus
benefits including 9% employer pension contribution.

To apply, please send your CV or apply via LinkedIn and show how you meet the following
criteria:

• Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial drive
• 3+ years’ experience relevant for the principal roles and responsibilities of this position
• Knowledge of water company planning cycles and environmental regulation
• Knowledge of environmental NGOs, government agencies and consultancies
• Proven communication, influencing and networking skills
• Excellent planning and project management skills
• Ability to work with uncertainty, plan adaptively and work at pace
• First rate interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with colleagues and clients and build
  effective cross-sector partnerships
• Knowledge of a wide range of stakeholders, across public, private, charitable and academic
  sectors
• Evidence of working in cross-functional teams to achieve best possible outcomes
• Experience of submitting funding bids
• A strong commitment to restoration of the water environment and a good understanding of
  environmental issues
• Enthusiasm, self-reliance, ambition, tact, discretion and charm
• Translating technical and complex instructions into local delivery
• Experience of effectively prioritising and delivering work

Everyone who works for us is expected to contribute to a respectful and inclusive working
culture and follow our policies and procedures including Health & Safety, EDI,
Cybersecurity and GDPR. We offer flexibility around working hours – time off in lieu is also
available. We offer 25 days holiday pro rata (rising to 28 days) plus statutory holiday days.
We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from
all communities. We are happy to adjust for people with disabilities and/or caring
responsibilities. Secondment opportunities are also welcome.

Please note we can only accept applications made through this site, and not sent by email or
other methods.

If you have any questions not answered in the advert or on the Recruitment FAQ, please contact
[email protected] – please don’t use this email address to apply as we can only
accept applications made through this system.

Closing date: Monday 13th May 2024 

It is anticipated that interviews will be held the following week or soon after.