Purpose of the role We are seeking an experienced and motivated Conservation Project Manager to lead the restoration of freshwater ecosystems and species across Greater London and the wider Thames catchment. You will design, lead, and deliver impactful conservation projects that contribute directly to restoring wildlife in the UK. As project manager you will play a central role in growing and delivering two flagship initiatives: the Great London Pond Project and the London Water Vole Recovery Programme. Working at the intersection of science, policy, and community action, you will help translate ZSL s conservation strategy into practical, on-the-ground outcomes. You will convene and collaborate with multiple partners and stakeholders, and secure funding to further the impact of our freshwater conservation work. This is a fixed-term position for 2 years, working 37.5 hours per week. Key responsibiliites: Project design and delivery: You will lead the development and delivery of evidence-based, strategically aligned freshwater conservation projects. Designed in line with Conservation Standards, operating at a landscape scale across the Thames catchment, supporting species recovery, habitat creation and restoration, and measurable conservation impact. Partnerships and stakeholder engagement: You will build and maintain strong partnerships with NGOs, statutory bodies, funders, and community groups, representing the organisation with professionalism while developing collaborative relationships and using project evidence and outcomes to help inform and influence policy. Funding and financial management: You will play a key role in securing and managing project funding by developing grant proposals, contributing to fundraising strategy, managing budgets to ensure value for money, meeting income targets, and reporting clearly to funders. Team leadership and support: You will support project delivery through effective team coordination, including recruiting and managing staff and interns, leading volunteers and field teams safely, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing working environment. Compliance, reporting and operations: You will ensure projects are delivered safely, legally, and efficiently by managing licences and regulatory requirements, upholding health and safety standards, maintaining accurate records and reporting, and overseeing equipment use, maintenance, and procurement. Communication and profile: You will communicate project work to a wide range of audiences to build awareness and support for conservation by producing clear technical reports, presenting at conferences and workshops, contributing to media engagement, and supporting digital and social media communications. About You Educated to MSc degree level in conservation biology or related subject area, or equivalent qualification, or demonstrate such a level of equivalent qualifications and experience through relevant practical work experience. Computer literate in MS office packages, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint and GIS and the application of statistical packages. Previous experience in managing and developing conservation projects, including partnership working and maintaining strong relationships with partners, statutory stakeholders, and funders. Experience and confidence in communicating and presenting to a wide range of audiences, including the public, academia, and the press. Proven experience in managing conservation teams safely (including fieldwork near water and volunteer leadership), alongside experience in budget administration, financial reporting, and leading successful grant funding applications. A willingness to travel to project field sites, conferences and workshops as required. The work will include periods of field research often in harsh field conditions and working in and around water. A full driving license is required for this role. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. About Us We re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. What we offer: At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: Purpose driven work join an organisation where every role contributes to creating a world where wildlife thrives. Pension scheme – we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension. Flexible working talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you. Holidays 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays (increasing with milestone anniversaries). Access to ZSL s staff Equality Networks -Race Culture, Team Pride, Disability, and Menopause, supporting an inclusive and welcoming workplace for those with lived experience. Wellbeing access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme. Life assurance eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL s life assurance scheme from their first day. Complimentary tickets annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops. Cycle2Work – our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle. Season ticket loan – we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work. Family friendly policies we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages. We may close this role early or extend the closing date due to the number of applications we receive, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application. If you have any questions about this role, we d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at recruitment@zsl.org
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