Project Manager at NATIONAL TRUST in United Kingdom
About the role
Summary
We’re seeking a proactive and collaborative Project Manager to lead our National Lottery Heritage Fund funded project. Bodiam Castle is an historic moated castle located in East Sussex. The Keys to the Castle project is designed to provide a step-change in visitor experience, to open up new spaces, improve access and bring in new interpretation, so we can better meet the needs of visitors and local communities.
The role is offered as a fixed-term contract until 09 March 2027, working 22.5 hours a week. Ideally, you'll work Monday-Wednesday, however this is open to discussion.
With our staff, members, volunteers and supporters, we’re the biggest conservation charity in Europe. We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after thousands of houses and nearly a million objects, along with vast areas of coastline, countryside and green spaces, for everyone’s benefit. Everyone can get involved, everyone can make a difference.
We know that we can't serve our diverse audiences without firstly celebrating the diversity of our people. That's why we work hard to create an inclusive culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Expected interview date: 18 September 2026.
What it's like to work here
We’ve got passionate people in all our teams, and we’ve got so much more we want to achieve. We’re for everyone, forever and we really mean that. The successful candidate will be working as part of the National Trust Specialist Delivery Team in our London & South East (LSE) region – a multidisciplinary team of flexible and deployable experts with specialist skills and experience in every field of our work. Our purpose is to deliver the Trust’s Strategy by providing expertise to properties and collaborating to make things happen.
Your contractual base can be Bodiam Castle or one of the other LSE Specialist Delivery Hubs (Scotney Castle in Kent, Micheldever in Hampshire, Polesden Lacey in Surrey or Hughenden in Buckinghamshire, whichever is closest to your home). You’ll be required to work flexibly and will need to be able to travel when required. You’ll have the autonomy to manage your own time and decide which days you spend on site and in the office. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week.
You’ll benefit from and play an active part in the Trust’s wider project management community - a network of sharing best practice and mentoring, as well as technical support and development.
What you'll be doing
As Project Manager, you’ll manage the critical path to complete the delivery of the ‘Keys to the Castle’ Heritage Fund project within the terms of the grant, managing budgets, contracts, communications and reporting. You’ll coordinate with a team of inspiring specialists from curation, experience development, gardens, community, participation and volunteering, comms and marketing, as well as managing external consultants. You’ll develop and sustain relationships with partners and the community, and you’ll need to work closely with the Project Sponsor, Client, Grants Specialist and the Bodiam team to ensure successful project delivery.
Who we're looking for
You’ll bring a broad range of the following knowledge, skills and experience, shaped by different roles, sectors or career paths, and the judgement to apply them effectively;
Evidence of strong project management skills, able to deliver results through successful delivery of projects to scope, time and quality in a multi-discipline environment.
A track record in overseeing the delivery of grant-funded heritage projects.
Ability to manage budgets and control costs with experience of funding, procuring, contracting and financial processes.
Understanding of project management life-cycles, processes and practices, including governance requirements.
Excellent management and communication skills including the ability to motivate project teams.
- Experience of working with others to manage sponsor, client, stakeholder and supplier relationships effectively.
- Ability to work as part of a team sharing learning and ideas.
- PC literate using MS Software and other packages.
- 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
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