Project Manager - National Trust : Job Details

We’re seeking a Project Manager to oversee the delivery of our growing portfolio of externally funded research projects on a fixed-term basis for 2 years. You’ll collaborate with project teams and support services to ensure efficient and compliant management of our research grants.

Since becoming an Independent Research Organisation in 2019, we’ve built on our legacy, and this is an exciting opportunity to help manage our diverse grant-funded research portfolio.

We'd love to learn more about you and your experiences, therefore, please upload a cover letter with your application addressed to Dr. Nicola Froggatt, Research Manager.

You’ll join the Research Team, which collaborates with internal colleagues and external partners to develop and support high-quality research that advances our charitable aims to protect nature, beauty, and history for everyone. You’ll work closely with research-active teams across the organisation, as well as with universities and other research partners.

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're based at other times. You'll 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.

You’ll manage the delivery of our grant-funded research projects, working with project teams and support services like finance and contracts to ensure compliance and efficiency. This role involves providing financial and contractual expertise throughout the post-award lifecycle, from award notification to closure.

There will also be opportunities to offer targeted support for a small number of projects that require additional management. This includes providing expert advice and guidance to colleagues leading research projects, as well as developing and delivering bespoke training and resources.

A key part of your responsibilities will be coordinating and managing collaboration agreements, ensuring the timely submission of internal and external narrative and financial reports.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; 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:

• Proven experience in grant management or working with external funding partners, managing budgets exceeding £1 million
• Knowledge of UKRI rules, regulations, and full economic costing methodology
• Familiarity with funding, procurement, contracting, and financial processes
• Project management skills, with a track record of delivering to scope, time, and quality within budgets and timescales
• Understanding of management life cycles, governance requirements, and related processes and practices
• Communication skills to convey complex technical and financial information and motivate project teams
• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritising tasks and handling conflicting demands in a multi-stakeholder environment
• Experience in planning and estimating, with attention to risk, contingency, and stakeholder relationship management

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)

•Rental deposit loan scheme

•Season ticket loan

•EV car lease scheme 

•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

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