We are seeking an experienced Programme Manager to lead Thames Catchment Community Eels Project.

The Thames Catchment Community Eels Project (TCCEP) is a £3 million flagship programme delivered by Thames Rivers Trust in partnership with 7 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 (2028–2030) across six sub-catchments. This builds on the successful Phase 1 pilot funded through The Green Recovery Challenge Fund (2020–2022).

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.

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

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

Deadline for applications: 11.59pm Friday 16th January 2026

A full Job Description can be downloaded here.

Development Phase Programme Manager