Head of River Recovery

Head of River Recovery

About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART)

Founded in 2012, the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) was created to restore and protect the rivers of the Bristol Avon. Our work is deeply rooted in using the best available evidence and is guided by an ‘ecosystems approach.’ This approach means we consider the health and function of the entire catchment area, not just the rivers themselves.

BART is a grassroots organisation, born from the collective passion and concern of individuals dedicated to the wellbeing of our waterways. In 2012, a group of like-minded individuals began to realise their vision for the Bristol Avon’s rivers, setting the stage for what BART has become today. Now, with 15 employees and an annual turnover of around £1 million, we manage multi-year projects funded by a wide range of supporters, all aimed at preserving and enhancing the natural beauty and health of the Bristol Avon catchment.

We collaborate with a diverse array of stakeholders—including landowners, local communities, businesses, farmers, and water companies—to safeguard and rejuvenate our rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal areas. This holistic stewardship benefits not only wildlife and the local economy but also people. Protecting our rivers can help farmers save money, lower costs for water companies, boost tourism, reduce the necessity for dredging estuaries, and enhance human health.

In the face of the climate emergency and ecological crisis, our mission has never been more urgent. Building resilience within the Bristol Avon catchment is crucial to weathering these challenges.

The Role

Our mission is to deliver a clear future for the rivers of the Bristol Avon. To support our mission, we are seeking an innovative, experienced, and flexible individual to lead our River Recovery Team in restoring the region's rivers.

As the Head of River Recovery, you will be responsible for delivering, developing, and coordinating all aspects of River Restoration, Nature-Based Solutions, and Natural Flood Management.

We're seeking someone with excellent technical knowledge, a strategic approach, and a proven ability to motivate a team. You will lead a diverse team ranging from early-career professionals to seasoned experts, and work closely with stakeholders, including government agencies, private companies, community groups, and other environmental organisations.

You will manage the River Recovery Team (currently 7 staff), one of the three delivery arms of the Trust—the others being Land, and Community Engagement and Education, which fall under the Head of Operations' remit.

As a Head of Department, you will provide leadership for your team and develop and implement strategies in line with the Trust's charitable objectives and plan. As a member of the Trust’s Management Team, your role will be pivotal in the effective management of the organisation, working collaboratively across all teams.

This role requires clear and effective leadership, challenging team members to excel while fostering a collegial spirit, promoting individual ambition, and ensuring an inclusive environment for achieving shared goals.

Key responsibilities include:

Project Management:

• Lead and manage the River Recovery Project Team.
• Oversee and manage project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Prepare monthly project financial and resource reports for Senior Management Meetings.
• Oversee project managers to ensure deliverables are met and delivered on time.
• Directly manage the Trust’s complex projects, ensuring effective project management, including the management of contractors.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with a wide range of partners and stakeholder groups.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, stakeholders, external project partners, and regulators.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of river restoration and nature-based solutions projects, using data to inform future delivery programs.
• Prepare reports and support team members in doing the same.

Leadership and Strategic Planning:

• Provide leadership and direction to the department, fostering a positive and productive work culture.
• Develop strategies, plans, and tactics to meet BART’s wider strategic goals.
• Encourage innovation and stay abreast of developments in the field, exploring new technologies, methods, and best practices.

Fundraising to Support the Team’s Project Work:

• Collaborate closely with the Head of Operations and CEO to develop project opportunities that attract funding from investors.
• Write well-planned and effective bids that align with the Trust's charitable objectives and delivery capacity and contribute to larger bids and projects to generate a pipeline of project work.

Resource and Team Management:

• Manage the department’s resources effectively, including people, funds, and equipment.
• Oversee the effective line management and performance of team members, adhering to Trust procedures, including managing capacity, performance, training, and disciplinary processes.
• Ensure that staff members understand and communicate the Trust's values, philosophy, and culture coherently and positively to clients, partners, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive environment where staff can thrive, ensuring inclusivity and promoting a common sense of purpose and collegiality.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Facilitate communication within the team and with other parts of the Trust, sharing information, providing updates, and resolving conflicts.
• Collaborate with other departments or external partners on projects, initiatives, or cross-cutting teams.

Quality Assurance and Problem-Solving:

• Ensure the team’s work meets quality standards and regulatory requirements, implementing processes for continuous improvement.
• Address challenges and obstacles, finding creative solutions and making decisions to keep projects on track.

Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate risks that could impact the department’s operations or the organisation as a whole.
• Collaborate closely with the Management Team to oversee the planning and management of resources and risk across the team.
• Manage and oversee the River Recovery Team’s project budgets, ensuring transparent and effective allocation of resources.
• Ensure the implementation, active management, and monitoring of effective health and safety systems and procedures within the team, supported by the H&S Manager.
• Review accidents and ensure follow-up actions are implemented.

Additional Duties:

• Perform any other duties commensurate with the grade, spirit, and purpose of the post as requested by the CEO of the Trust.

Person specification:

• Maintain a professional approach, providing a level-headed and consistent tone and working environment.
• Be a team player, collaborating with other Team members to address problems jointly.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and collaboration, inspiring the team to tackle challenges.
• Foster a listening and inclusive environment, encouraging comments and engagement from all team members.
• Practice openness, honesty, and transparency, articulating challenges calmly, assertively, and in a balanced manner.
• Show ambition, striving to achieve the best outcomes for yourself, your team, and your projects.
• Be proactive, identifying and addressing problems early, before they escalate.
• Exhibit tenacity, working diligently to tackle key long-term issues.

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in effective leadership, with a proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate colleagues.
• A collegial and inclusive approach to line management.
• Demonstrable experience in managing a program of projects, including direct project management, planning, and design.
• Proven experience in managing resources and risk effectively, including budget management.
• A degree, qualification, or comparable education or experience in Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography, or a related discipline.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Experience in writing successful bids and identifying bid opportunities.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills for a wide range of audiences, including internal and external partners, contractors, and community interest groups.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Your own means of transport and a clean driving license to attend various sites and meetings across the Bristol Avon catchment.
• Willingness to travel for meetings in various locations around the Bristol Avon catchment and possibly the UK, depending on project requirements.

Qualifications/Membership

• A degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Hydrology, or a related field. A higher degree would be an asset but is not essential.
• At least 7 years of experience in river restoration or a related field, with a minimum of 3 years in a management or leadership role.
• Extensive knowledge of river ecology, hydrology, and river restoration techniques.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in securing and managing budgets.
• A strong commitment to environmental conservation and restoration.

Role Summary:

The starting salary for this role is between £42,000 and £45,000 per annum (dependent on experience).

The role is 40 hours per week, and this position is initially offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the plan to extend contingent upon the Trust securing additional funding.

Benefits while working for Bristol Avon Rivers Trust include:

• 25 days Annual Leave per annum, with a reward for long service – 27 days per year following 3 years of service and, up to a maximum of 30 days for employees serving 6 years.
• 9% Employer Pension, plus Life Assurance cover
• Flexible Home Working and across the Bristol Avon catchment

Closing date

The closing date for applications for this role is midnight Sunday 18th August 2024

Interviews

Interviews will be held in person in the Bristol Avon catchment (location TBC).

How to Apply

To apply please email a copy of your CV and Covering Letter to simon@bristolavonriverstrust.org addressing how you meet the criteria set out in the job advert, by the closing date. We look forward to receiving your application.

If you would like an informal conversation about this role, or if you would like more information, please contact us at: info@bristolavonriverstrust.org and we will arrange a convenient time for a discussion.