Teifi Demonstrator Programme Manager

The role

Ready to apply Before you do, make sure to read all the details pertaining to this job in the description below.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Teifi Demonstrator Programme, to include the development phase of Teifi Fyw (Living Teifi), a transformative, catchment wide initiative designed to restore and rejuvenate the heritage of the Afon Teifi and its surrounding landscape by integrating nature-based solutions, cultural heritage and community-led action.

You will lead both a small team of direct reports and a broad partnership of environmental, academic, cultural and community organisations to deliver this National Lottery Heritage Fund project that responds to urgent environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and declining river health, whilst recognising the deep cultural and historical significance of the Teifi catchment.

As an experienced senior project manager you will lead this complex (financial, legal, operational, and reputational) programme to develop best-value, innovative solutions to deliver NRW's strategic goals as set out in our Corporate Plan.

If you're passionate about programme management and want to make a lasting impact on the people and nature of Wales, this is your chance to lead on meaningful work within a respected, forward-thinking organisation.

Internal and external applications are welcomed, including potential secondment opportunities from partner organisations. The opportunity is offered as a fixed-term appointment until 31 March 2028.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home 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 Jon Goldsworthy at

Interviews will take place on w/c 1 June 2026 through Microsoft Teams
What you will do Lead the implementation of the Teifi Demonstrator Programme including delivery of the short, medium and long term catchment-based projects, working closely with relevant colleagues in NRW, project and delivery partners.
Ensure appropriate governance of the programme is in line with the NRW Portfolio Management Office process and procedures and with Association for Project Management (APM), PRINCE2 or Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) methodology.
Provide an expert, professional programme and project management service to manage multi-disciplinary, high value programmes and projects with specific expertise in environmental restoration and heritage projects.
Line manage a central programme team responsible for financial management, communications, people engagement co-ordination, progress reporting, and virtually manage and support further staff (up to 20) across other NRW teams and employed by programme partners.
Collaborate with and influence key sectors, stakeholders and senior external colleagues, Ministers, politicians and officials (at Wales and UK levels) to ensure that the Teifi Demonstrator Programme delivers its objectives and overcomes any obstacles to delivery.
Ensure that financial management including procurement strategies for engaging external services comply with NRW's 'Managing our Money' policy.
Provide strong and effective advocacy for improved water quality, river restoration and societal benefits across Wales, supporting delivery of the people engagement strategy and funding requirements.
Act as primary contact point between National Lottery Heritage Fund monitors and advisors, other external funders, Welsh Government officials and NRW governance groups.
Capture the learning from this innovative programme so it can be scaled up bringing multiple benefits to other river systems in Wales, the UK and further afield.
Deputise for Management tier colleagues when required
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 and that of your staff through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
Required to take part in incident response activities.
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. Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to water quality, river restoration and land management practice; Welsh, UK Government policy drivers; and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
In-depth knowledge of environmental restoration actions and interventions, including key nature based solutions.
Recognised professional/technical qualification such as Prince 2 Practitioner or equivalent relevant knowledge in project management.
Programme and Project management experience, including budget management, management of staff, work programming, and experience of natural heritage funding.
Experience leading, managing and supporting multi-disciplinary project teams in complex projects/programmes.
Experience of co-production, co-delivery, public consultation methods, negotiation and people engagement.
Effective team working and communication skills with the ability to write clear, concise technical reports
Experience of developing applications for funding including knowledge of National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) assessment criteria.
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.
Additional Information
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.

Natural Resources Wales is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Although we hold a Skilled Worker visa sponsorship licence, it applies only to specific roles that meet both the eligibility criteria and salary requirements set out by the UK Government under the Skilled Worker visa route.
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. xwzovoh Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.