Project Manager - National Trust : Job Details

We are currently recruiting for a project manager to join our team on an 18 month FTC

This will give you an opportunity to help the National Trust improve their outdoor visitor experiences.  As part of a comprehensive programme of investment, we’re after someone to lead pilots and feasibility studies into visitor numbers and needs. 

On a day-to-day basis, you’ll work with selected National Trust locations to pilot innovative ways of measuring visitors.  They will help select the locations, source relevant technology vendors, negotiate contracts, produce communication materials and plan, implement & steer the pilots.  This will require strong interpersonal and negotiation skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders to challenge, negotiate and build consensus on the best value for money solutions.

We’re committed to improving these open sites, making them as welcoming and accessible to as many visitors as possible.  Instrumental to this is understanding visitor patterns and their needs which is where you come in as we need an experienced Project Manager to help design, implement, run and evaluate studies into visitor behaviour.

Please be aware that this role will require regular travel to the pilot locations when requested.

The National Trust cares for some 624 sites across the England, Northern Ireland and Wales.  We’re well known for the wonderful buildings and monuments in our care but we also manage thousands of acres of beautiful open countryside, farm land and paths in urban, rural and coastal locations.  We’re committed to improving these open sites, making them as welcoming and accessible to as many visitors as possible.  Instrumental to this is understanding visitor patterns and their needs which is where you come in as we need an experienced Project Manager to help design, implement, run and evaluate studies into visitor behaviour.

Your contractual location will be our head office in Swindon and there will be an expectation for you to attend the office. However, there is flexibility on where you are based at other times. You will be required to work at a National Trust location for 40-60% of your working week. This will be discussed in more detail at interview.

As Project Manager you will be accountable for the successful outcomes of feasibility studies into outdoor visitor numbers, experiences and needs.  You will help select the National Trust properties where these pilots will be based and lead the engagement with the property and Visitor Experience teams in these locations to build strong and trusting relationships.

You’ll drive delivery of the many components of these pilots such as managing the relationships with chosen suppliers of hardware, software and data licences. Collecting and processing accurate data will be key to evaluating the outcomes of the pilots. Therefore, the Project Manager will be accountable for designing the collection processes, monitoring data quality and identifying & resolving potential problems. 

You’ll implement the governance and controls necessary to build confidence that the pilots are on track and delivering value for money outcomes, including reporting, risk management strategies and progress and budget reporting. The post holder will use the insights and data collected during the pilots to write the final recommendations to the Project Board.

You’ll report to the Nature Data Project Manager within the Data team.  Your primary Client will be the Head of Data within the Strategy Management Directorate and will work with a diverse range of property and visitor experience experts, both centrally and regionally. 

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached, this is just to provide a full picture of what is possible in this role, we’d love to hear from you if you have:

• A hands-on deliverer with a track record of successfully completing feasibility studies and pilots.
• A confident communicator to a wide range of audiences.
• An excellent relationship builder who inspires trust and confidence.
• A proactive problem solver who can think on their feet.
• A skilled planner who can execute the roll out of technology-based solutions.
• A good knowledge of project management process and practices both waterfall and Agile.
• Hands-on property management experience and an understanding of the challenges of working in the charity sector

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Tax-free childcare scheme

• Rental deposit loan scheme

• Season ticket loan

• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Employee assistance programme

• Free parking at most Trust places

• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.