Overview
Programme Coordinator – Nature Based Neighbourhoods (NBN) role at Wates Group. This is a full-time, 5-year fixed term contract with potential for extension. Hybrid working with one day per fortnight in WFET’s Leatherhead office (Wednesdays). Regular travel to project sites across England.
Key Details
* Salary: up to £45,000 per annum
* Contract: Full-time, 5-year fixed term (with potential for extension)
* Location: Hybrid – remote working with one day fortnightly in WFET’s Leatherhead office (Wednesdays)
* Travel: Regular travel to project sites across England
* Reporting to: NBN Partnership Programme Lead
About the Role
We are seeking a strategic and community-focused programme manager to lead the delivery of the Nature Based Neighbourhoods (NBN) grant programme – a five-year partnership between Lund Trust and the Wates Family Enterprise Trust (WFET).
The NBN programme supports urban communities to create greener, more connected neighbourhoods. It provides core funding, peer networking, and long-term planning support to community organisations working to improve access to nature.
You will oversee all aspects of programme delivery, including grant management, stakeholder engagement, impact reporting, and communications. This is a unique opportunity to shape a long-term initiative that builds community power and drives nature-based change.
Responsibilities
* Lead programme planning, delivery and annual review cycles, ensuring it is delivered on time and to budget in line with its vision and aims.
* Manage relationships with funded community partners, ensuring they are supported to deliver against their grant ambitions.
* Foster cross-sector relationships in the community.
* Oversee grant administration and budget management.
* Work with learning and impact partners to facilitate peer learning, evaluation and storytelling to share impact.
* Convene programme boards and partner meetings, providing timely updates to key stakeholders.
* Collaborate with internal teams to amplify programme visibility and share learnings, supporting local and national movement building.
Person Specification
Essential
* Experience managing multi-year, large-budget projects, preferably in the third sector
* Strategic thinker with a track record of driving change
* Strong community engagement and facilitation skills
* Skilled in impact evaluation and reporting
* Passionate about climate action, social justice, nature and community-led approaches
* Willingness to travel regularly
Desirable
* Experience in grant-making
* Expertise in urban green infrastructure or climate transition
* Ability to raise the public profile of initiatives
* Experience in cross-sector collaboration
How To Apply
Submit the following:
* Completed application form
* Covering letter outlining your interest and suitability, no more than two sides of A4
* CV
Deadline: 27 October 2025 – Midnight. Interviews: 19 and 20 November 2025 in London.
About The Programme
Connection to nature can have powerful social, health, economic and environmental benefits. The NBN programme aims to strengthen community organisations by providing financial and non-financial resources to create greener neighbourhoods and communities more connected to nature. The work will explore how sustained commitment, engagement, and investment can transform outcomes for place, people and nature.
Specifically, this funding partnership will:
* Provide direct core funding to selected urban community organisations that share our aims.
* Connect communities with related work across the county and develop peer networks.
* Enable communities to co-develop equitable long-term plans to increase nature connection locally.
* Support community-led storytelling of this work, including challenges and successes.
The rationale and development of this work are outlined in our theory of change.
About Wates Family Enterprise Trust
The Wates family envisions a fairer, more sustainable, more prosperous society with strong community connection to place and nature. Learn more at www.wfet.org.uk.
Work for Wates
Wates is a leading family-owned development and construction company with a 125+ year heritage. We are guided by our purpose: “reimagining places for people to thrive.” Our commitments include Thriving Places, Thriving Planet, and Thriving People. We are Gold Investors in People, a Disability Confident employer, and promote long-term relationships. We strive for inclusion and aim to minimize environmental impact in line with our 2025 targets: Zero Waste, Zero Carbon, and Positive Nature Enhancement.
Wates Group is one of the UK’s largest family-owned construction and property services companies. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity in our recruitment and workplaces.
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