Fixed Term full‑time (37.5 hrs per week) until February 2029. Location(s): Swindon (primary) with contractual office at a National Trust or partner office in Manchester, Birmingham or London. Closing date: 19 July 2026. Ref: IRC178182.
Summary
We’re looking for a Network Manager to lead and develop the Nature Towns and Cities Network. The Network facilitates cross sector and cross discipline knowledge exchange and collaboration to build connection, confidence and capacity in places and organisations across the UK.
The Network is at the heart of Nature Towns and Cities and is often how a place or organisation will first engage with the coalition – from conferences to communities of practice and webinars to site visits. The network helps drive innovation and change to enable places and organisations to put nature at the heart of urban life. Together we can be a powerful voice for urban nature.
Internally you’ll be known as a Project Manager.
To help us understand your suitability for the role, please submit your CV along with a cover letter explaining how your skills and experience align with this position.
What it’s like to work here
Nature Towns and Cities is a coalition of public, private and third‑sector organisations united by a shared mission to help create greener, healthier, thriving towns, cities and neighbourhoods. Together, we aim to help millions more people enjoy access to nature close to home.
You’ll work across the Nature Towns and Cities coalition in a collaborative, innovative and dynamic environment that values learning, sharing and new ideas. Over the next decade, we aim to improve access to quality green space for 5 million people and enable 1 million more children and young people to be active outdoors. Your work will play an important role in helping achieve these goals and contribute to lasting systemic change.
Your contractual location will be either Manchester, Swindon, Birmingham or London. And you’ll be required to work at a National Trust or partner office for 40–60% of your working week. The role will require some travel across the UK for partner meetings, stakeholder engagement, team days and collaborative activities. You will be managed by the Deputy Programme Director for Nature Towns and Cities.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll lead and be the face of the network, bringing energy and enthusiasm that excites participants and the team. You’ll lead the day‑to‑day delivery of network activity, and the future development of this core element of the Nature Towns and Cities offer. As a people person, you’ll make connections and build relationships with the people leading change in neighbourhoods, towns and cities across the UK.
Working in partnership will be your natural mode. You’ll build relationships and partnerships with sector bodies, devolved nation organisations and other networks so that the Nature Towns and Cities network meets the needs of practitioners across the whole of the UK and adds value to what others are doing.
You’ll lean on solid project management experience to make sure our events, activities and conferences are delivered on time, on budget and within scope, but be entrepreneurial and dynamic in seeking out new opportunities to grow and collaborate to meet the needs of our target audiences.
You’ll manage the budget and work closely with comms colleagues to get the word out about Network activity. You’ll also design and deliver stakeholder communications and impact reporting. You’ll spot innovation and help share learning and ideas so that innovative or good practice can be scaled, quickly and easily.
Ensuring continual improvement is key to the role of the Network Manager and you’ll ensure feedback is sought, analysed and reviewed and also that impact is captured and evaluated.
You will manage a Network Officer and work closely with a wide range of Nature Towns and Cities colleagues.
This role is hosted by the National Trust and works across the Nature Towns and Cities Coalition. It’s fixed term until February 2029. As this is a partnership role, we will be sharing your application with partners for assessment.
You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don’t need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.
Who we’re looking for
- Knowledge of local government and the urban operating environment plus at least one of the following topics: urban nature, green infrastructure, urbanism, climate resilience, health, community development or other related field
- Experience of delivering or developing a network or similar function
- Flexible thinker and problem‑solver, skilled at negotiating and building productive networks, and confident in using your expertise to influence decisions with senior leaders
- Skilled communicator, with experience of managing complex and challenging situations with competing interests and a diverse range of people
- Leader for inclusion, who finds ways to create an inclusive culture
- Able to demonstrate experience of successfully delivering complex end‑to‑end project/programme management
- Professional with technical knowledge and skills in project management demonstrated by a recognised project (AMP PMQ/Prince) or programme management (MSP) qualification
- Able to evidence ongoing CPD in your career to date
The package
- Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
- Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
- Season ticket loan
- EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
- Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
- Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria
National Trust place
Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA
Documents
- Candidate pack .pptx
- Project Manager Grade 5.pdf
Requirements
Compliance. Eligibility to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination.
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff and volunteers for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
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