Fisheries Programme Manager

Overview

In this role you lead the technical and operational delivery of the Rivers and Fisheries Team, managing fisheries projects at scale—from fish passage to barrier removal and monitoring. You’ll shape programmatic work, mentor staff, and collaborate with partners to deliver measurable improvements for rivers in the Southwest. The position combines hands-on field expertise with strategic planning and fundraising input in a mission-driven charity. You’ll work across regions, with regular office presence and travel to sites, contributing to a growing conservation programme.

Pay / Benefits

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 25 days’ Annual Leave + bank holidays (up to 30)
• Additional Christmas leave
• 9% pension contributions plus Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Eyecare vouchers (Specsavers)

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership on fish passage, barrier removal, and related freshwater ecology
• Quality-assure assessments, survey designs, consents, planning applications, and project outputs
• Mentor and develop team members; support succession planning
• Represent WRT in technical meetings and with external partners
• Lead delivery of a portfolio of projects, manage budgets, stakeholder relationships, and funder reporting
• Oversee full project lifecycles from assessment to delivery with CDM and H&S compliance
• Support Head of Fisheries & Ecology in programme planning, reporting, and oversight
• Contribute technical input to funding applications and tenders for fish passage and barrier removal
• Share line management with Head of Fisheries & Ecology (initially managing 1–2 Grade 4 staff)
• Engage with partners (EA, Natural England, local authorities, angling groups, landowners) and contribute to governance and multi-partner programmes
• Uphold Trust values, culture, and safety standards across activities

Key requirements

• Background in fisheries science/management, conservation and fish passage
• Experience leading or supervising a team
• Experience in project management and delivery
• Outdoor work in aquatic environments and remote locations
• Experience with NEC contracts and CDM regulations
• Good understanding of Health and Safety standards and best practices
• Proficiency with MS Office; ArcGIS and CAD experience (preferred)
• Strong knowledge of fisheries legislation and statutory requirements
• Understanding of fish migration, barrier assessment and barrier optioneering
• Experience in designing and conducting fisheries and ecological monitoring and surveying

• Excellent communication and teamwork
• Mentoring and staff development
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship building
• Fish passage and barrier removal expertise
• Freshwater ecology knowledge
• Monitoring and survey design and delivery

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