The role
LIFE Quake is a landmark £5 million restoration project funded by the EU and Welsh Government, focused on reviving Transition Mire and Quaking Bog habitats, home to rare species such as the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly. Operating across key sites in Swansea (Cors Crymlyn), North-West Pembrokeshire, and Gwynedd (Corsydd Eifionydd), the project aims to deliver lasting ecological impact through practical restoration, scientific monitoring, and stakeholder collaboration.
As the project manager, you will lead a dedicated team of six to deliver this ambitious programme. You’ll oversee restoration activities, track progress against milestones, and ensure strong governance across procurement, operations, and health and safety. You’ll also ensure full compliance with the LIFE programme’s requirements while building partnerships and driving engagement with local communities, landowners, and conservation stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to shape one of Wales’ most significant habitat restoration efforts and leave a legacy for future generations.
This is a fixed-term opportunity until 31st December 2026.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.
To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Nick Thomas on nick.thomas@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.
Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.
What you will do
- Lead the LIFE project team effectively and manage the staff and budget resource of the project to ensure project objectives and targets are met.
- Develop, maintain and deliver a detailed implementation plan (to 31/12/26) based on the LIFE Quake project bid document, with support from the LIFE project team members, the Project Board and Steering Group and the bid development team. Monitor progress against the plan and undertake regular reviews to ensure full delivery of the project within the project timeframe.
- Provide strong and effective advocacy for river restoration and its societal benefits within the project area, contributing to the development of spin-off projects as required.
- Act as the primary contact point between the LIFE project and the EU, including the external project monitor.
- Ensure that implementation and reporting of the LIFE project fully adheres to the General Conditions for EU LIFE funding, and that NRW policies and procedures are adhered to.
- Represent the project on the LIFE Project Board and Project Steering Group and have primary responsibility for ensuring Board and Steering Group decisions are implemented.
- Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
- Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.
- Project management experience, including budget management, management of staff, work programming and delivery of groundworks projects.
- Knowledge of techniques for wetland restoration and their application, including the management of contractors.
- Understanding of Welsh livestock farming and farming communities
- Good team working and communication skills.
- Ability to write clear, concise technical reports.
- The ability to currently and legally drive a car in the UK.
Welsh Language level requirements
- Essential: Level A1 - Entry level
Welsh language levels
Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- commitment to professional development
- health and wellbeing benefits and support
- weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.
Please keep reading
We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
