Project Manager

We are seeking a Project Manager to lead the Development Phase of Reconnecting the Rooms, a National Lottery Heritage Fund (Heritage Fund) funded project at Bath Assembly Rooms (BAR). You’ll bring with you a track record in overseeing the development of medium-large heritage projects with stakeholder and community engagement at their core. Ideally, you will have experience of developing Heritage Fund projects or with other lottery funders.

You will be part of a wider team delivering the next chapter in the Rooms' history. You will be enabling the development of activities, programmes and opportunities with and for communities in Bath. This will be delivered alongside planning the co design, redevelopment and improvement of key exterior spaces at BAR. This post is funded by Heritage Fund and the National Trust.

Interview date: 13 Dec 2024

Starting as soon as possible from January 2025 – this is a fixed term contract of 15 months with potential to extend. 

Reconnecting the Rooms is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to offer this new, dedicated project role.

You’ll be part of our SW consultancy team and will lead a mixed discipline team within a matrix management framework. You’ll experience motivated and passionate people, working at pace. Collaboration, learning, and adaptability are at the core of our approach, fostering a supportive team atmosphere. You’ll receive guidance and support from the National Trust’s regional and central project management and fundraising teams. 

Your primary base will be Prior Park, Bath (during a period of closure at Bath Assembly Rooms), although the nature of our work allows for a hybrid approach (60% working week at property), this role will be critical in building and maintaining stakeholder relationships requiring significant time at both National Trust and partner sites in Bath.

As the Project Manager for the Heritage Fund package, you will manage the critical path to completion of the Heritage Fund Development Phase and ensure effective spend of the grant, meeting the approved purposes set by the funder, delivering on time and on budget. You will manage procurement and have oversight of key external contracts for this work and be responsible for project coordination and reporting. 

With the Regional Grants Consultant you will coordinate, develop, write and deliver the submission of the Delivery Phase application, in the region of £1.1million, securing positive outcomes for Bath Assembly Rooms, heritage spaces in Bath and wider community.

You'll lead and evolve our work packages for submission to the Heritage Fund. The projects include. 

1) Capital project to co-design and improve exterior spaces at BAR. You will work with the team to authentically co-design concepts with communities and stakeholders to activate the exterior spaces for public use. Getting necessary planning and permissions in place so this work can support and complement public realm & placemaking development across the city e.g. micro greening initiatives, seating and event space.

2) Rooms on the Road heritage outreach programme will explore themes of connection, personal heritage and the power of gathering and assembly with communities who currently do not feel Bath’s heritage is for them.  Impact and learning from this programme will inform and shape delivery phase programming plus future iterations of BAR Re-Imagined.

 3) Further research into the undiscovered social history of BAR, including its activism and colonial links, and the co-creation of relevant and inclusive programming based on the personal heritage that matters to people today.

4) Creating a suite of volunteering and skills development opportunities, ranging from heritage tasters to apprenticeships, widening participation pathways.

5) Work with an evaluation specialist and research specialist to develop a sector leading framework to define and measure public benefit more effectively.

6) Governance – You will set up and Chair the Heritage Fund project steering group ensuring key communities are represented through collaborative relationships and partnerships.

For more information please read the attached information document. 

To be considered for this role, applicants must meet the following minimum criteria:

•You will need a passion for stakeholder and community engagement and fundraising

•Financial management expertise

•Successful delivery of major Heritage Fund funded projects, including the development of activity plans, audience plans, and leadership of project teams, matrix management, and problem-solving. Or equivalent delivery of a project funded by another National Lottery Funder 

•Possession of, or working towards, a recognised project (APM PMQ/PRINCE2) or program management (MSP) qualification, or evidence of ongoing CPD in your career

•Ability to manage budgets and control costs with experience of funding processes.

•Facilitation and influencing skills, with the ability to confidently engage with senior leaders and manage complex and potentially contentious external stakeholder relationships

•Experience at leading a multi discipline team 

•Demonstrated experience of community centred practice and approach to project work, ensuring diversity of voice and advocating for shared decision making

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 

•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