Across the Peak District we’re working to transform the landscape for people, nature, and climate. Our vision is to provide meaningful and accessible ways for communities to connect with the work we’re doing to restore nature.
We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Community and Participation Manager to lead this work, engaging with both rural and urban communities in and around the White Peak.
You’ll work alongside both the Project team and Property Team ensuring communities are at the heart of our plans for nature recovery. You’ll be developing relationships, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and helping the wider team feel confident working with communities.
Based at the White Peak Estate Office in Ilam, with travel out to surrounding rural and urban areas, your standard working week will be 30 hours including some weekends, bank holidays and evenings.
What it's like to work here
Working alongside members of the project and portfolio teams, this is a great opportunity to work in a beautiful and diverse area of the country on a range of activities that will make a positive impact and help protect nature for future generations.
If you love working with all kinds of people and you’re excited by the Trust’s cause – to protect and care for places so that people and nature can thrive – then this could be the job for you.
What you'll be doing
You’ll lead on mapping and developing community relationships and partnerships in and around the White Peak, to support and move forward our community growing nursery project. This project aims to provide meaningful and accessible ways for communities to connect with and take action for nature, through the development of community-led growing nurseries.
You’ll understand and advocate for the needs of communities and partners, creating opportunities that are more relevant and accessible to more people, and removing barriers to getting involved. You’ll use community mapping and data to guide your planning and to influence others, identifying opportunities and prioritising your efforts where they can have the most benefit.
You’ll pro-actively build, grow and diversify relationships with local people, community groups and partners, ensuring we get the best outcomes for people and nature to thrive together. You’ll be great at building trusted relationships with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external. Working with the wider property team, you’ll plan, support and lead a variety of engagement activities, on and off site, that help connect people to nature.
Alongside the Community & Participation team, you’ll build the confidence and skills of the wider team around working with communities, using coaching, training and workshops. You’ll gather case studies to share best practice and develop guidance and practical resources to help teams to engage with communities.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
* experienced in community engagement and involvement, as well as broader participation and working with partners
* someone who loves working with volunteers, and who understands the legal differences between staff and volunteers
* experienced in planning and delivering community engagement activities and practical volunteering sessions
* a good communicator; good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people from all backgrounds, with a proven ability to influence
* flexible and collaborative, a team player who’s happy to lead on and work with other people’s agendas towards a shared goal
* an organised person with good planning skills
* able to coach and support people, and used to managing, supervising and working alongside volunteers and community partners
Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:
* experienced in community engagement and involvement
* experienced in planning and delivering community engagement activities and practical volunteering sessions
* a good communicator; good at talking to, and getting on with, all kinds of people from all backgrounds, with a proven ability to influence
* passionate about involving communities in decision making, with experience in developing and managing community relationships
* someone who loves working with volunteers, and who understands the legal differences between staff and volunteers
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
* Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
* Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
* Rental deposit loan scheme
* 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.
* Flexible working whenever possible
* Employee assistance programme
* Free parking at most Trust places