We have an exciting opportunity for a Project Manager on a two- year fixed-term contract to oversee development plans at Bottengoms Farm – home of the internationally renowned author Ronald Blythe.

Essex Wildlife Trust is the recipient of a significant estate and restricted fund from the writer Ronald Blythe, following his death in January 2023. As the internationally renowned author of ‘Akenfield’, Ronnie was considered the finest contemporary writer on the countryside and an icon of many of the UK and America’s most famous naturalists and nature writers. For more information, please visitor our website: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/bottengoms. 

Probate has now been granted, and Ronnie’s home – Bottengoms Farm and gardens – has passed to the Trust. Bottengoms Farm was once the home of artists John and Christine Nash, and is almost as famous amongst writers, naturalists and artists as Ronnie himself.

We want Bottengoms to continue to inspire generations to come, just as it inspired its past inhabitants. This Project Manager role has therefore been established to determine the best outcome for the Bottengoms estate and for Essex Wildlife Trust, liaising closely with the Bottengoms Advisory Group, made up of executors, close friends of Ronnie’s, and other stakeholders.

In this Project Manager role, you will apply your project management skills, knowledge, and experience to develop a long-term financially sustainable vision and plan for Bottengoms. The vision and plan will include identifying key stakeholders and organisations who will have a long-term commitment to and involvement in the project, taking into account the specialisms associated with this legacy, the property and the grounds and gardens.

You will be responsible for delivering all aspects of the developmental phase of the project (Phase I) to time, cost, and quality, and in accordance with agreed targets and objectives, making recommendations for subsequent phases. 

You will apply the Trust’s Project Management Framework, ensuring impact-focused outcomes, and you will lead on the high-level stewardship of funders and corporate partners, drawing on your commercial experience and demonstrating a strong grasp of the context of this project, and the ‘fit’ with the Trust’s charitable objectives.

This role is expected to last two-years as the position is linked to external funding and line manages the horticultural specialist at Bottengoms Farm.

The hours of work are 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm) with a starting salary of £35,148.00 per annum. The base of work will be Abbotts Hall (Great Wigborough). Essex Wildlife Trust offers flexible homeworking arrangements. Further details of the hybrid-working arrangements will be shared at interview.

To make an application, please complete an online application form on our website by 9:00am on Wednesday 20 November 2024. The interviews are scheduled for Thursday 28 November 2024.

Our values are Impactful, Collaborative, United and Proactive.

Essex Wildlife Trust is committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone is welcome. As a conservation charity, we know how important diversity is, both in our natural world and amongst the people we employ. We want everyone to feel valued and empowered to contribute to our vision of “A county rich in wildlife with people connected to nature”.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to offering an interview to anyone with a disability that meets all the essential criteria for the post. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible.