About Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is an independent environmental charity dedicated to restoring and protecting the rivers of the Bristol Avon catchment for people and wildlife.
We work across urban and rural landscapes to deliver practical river restoration, natural flood management, climate resilience, biodiversity recovery and community engagement projects at a catchment scale. Our work ranges from removing barriers to fish migration and restoring river habitat, through to supporting regenerative farming, creating wetlands and woodlands, and engaging communities in citizen science and environmental action.
As the Trust continues to grow in ambition, scale and impact, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Programmes to lead the development and delivery of BART’s expanding portfolio of environmental programmes and partnerships.
The Role
Job Title
Head of Programmes
Location
Hybrid working - with regular travel across the Bristol Avon catchment and attendance at BART offices, project sites and partner meetings.
Reports to
Chief Executive Officer
Salary
£50,000 per annum
Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Purpose of the Role
The Head of Programmes will provide strategic leadership across BART’s programme portfolio, overseeing the development, coordination and delivery of major environmental and community-based initiatives across the Bristol Avon catchment.
The role will lead teams which deliver planning and delivery across areas including:
River restoration
Natural flood management
Climate resilience
Nature recovery
Catchment partnerships
Sustainable farming and land management
Community engagement and citizen science
Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the postholder will help shape the strategic direction of the Trust, strengthen delivery partnerships, secure investment and ensure programmes are delivered effectively, collaboratively and to a high standard.
This is both a strategic and operational leadership role, requiring strong programme management capability alongside excellent relationship-building and organisational skills.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Programme Leadership
Lead and oversee BART’s portfolio of programmes and strategic projects
Support the development and delivery of BART’s organisational strategy and annual business planning
Ensure programmes align with organisational priorities, funder requirements and partnership objectives
Identify opportunities for programme growth, innovation and impact
Support the development of long-term catchment-scale delivery programmes
Programme & Project Oversight
Oversee programme delivery across multiple teams and thematic areas
Support programme and project leads to deliver projects effectively
Monitor programme performance, risks, budgets and reporting requirements
Ensure programmes are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed outcomes
Improve internal programme management systems and delivery processes
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and maintain strong relationships with funders, local authorities, regulators, landowners and strategic partners
Represent BART at partnership boards, strategic meetings and public forums
Support collaborative programme development across the catchment
Help position BART as a leading delivery partner within the region
Funding & Programme Development
Support the identification and development of funding opportunities
Contribute to major funding applications and investment proposals
Help develop blended finance and long-term programme sustainability approaches
Support strategic reporting to funders and partners
Team Leadership & Organisational Development
Provide leadership, support and mentorship to programme and project staff
Line manage programme leads
Foster a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture
Support organisational learning and continuous improvement
Contribute to wider organisational leadership and decision-making
Person Specification
Essential Experience & Skills
Experience within the environmental, rivers, conservation or charity sector
Understanding of river restoration, catchment management or nature recovery
Experience managing complex environmental, community or river restoration programmes
Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder engagement skills
Ability to think strategically while managing operational delivery
Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
Experience working collaboratively across sectors and organisations
Desirable Experience
Experience developing major funding bids and partnership programmes
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and partnerships
Knowledge of public sector and environmental funding mechanisms
Experience overseeing budgets, reporting and programme governance
Strong programme and project management skills
Experience working with landowners, local authorities and environmental regulators
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
Is strategic, collaborative and solutions-focused
Enjoys building partnerships and bringing people together
Has strong leadership and organisational skills
Is passionate about river and catchment recovery and community impact
Thrives in a growing and evolving organisation
Wants to help shape the future of catchment-scale recovery across the Bristol Avon landscape
Why Join BART?
This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role within one of the UK’s growing rivers trusts at a pivotal moment in its development.
You will help shape and deliver ambitious programmes that improve rivers, landscapes and communities across the Bristol Avon catchment, while helping build the long-term resilience and impact of the Trust.
Benefits
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas close
Flexible and hybrid working
9% Employer pension contribution
Professional development and training opportunities
Employee wellbeing support
Opportunity to shape large-scale environmental programmes with meaningful impact
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.
We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities, particularly those underrepresented within the environmental sector.
Further Information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Simon Hunter
Chief Executive Officer
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Email: [email protected]
To learn more about our work, visit:
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
