Project Manager - Estuary and Wetland (Maternity)

This part-time, fixed-term maternity cover role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to ZSL’s mission of restoring wildlife in the UK and beyond. The role focuses on project managing the delivery of UK species conservation initiatives, with a primary emphasis on fish and other aquatic species. It also involves supporting project development and securing funding for additional UK species conservation projects.

This hybrid role requires 22.5 working hours per week, offering flexibility while contributing to critical conservation efforts. At ZSL, every role supports our vision of a world where wildlife thrives.

Key responsibilities:

• Project manage the delivery of UK species projects in the Estuary & Wetlands Conservation Programme with a primary focus on sturgeons.
• Contribute to the development of new species projects within the context of ZSL2030 strategy, including building fundraising proposals.
• Develop, maintain, and expand productive relationships with project collaborators and partners with support from conservation leads and managers, as appropriate.
• Responsible for building budgets and maintaining financial records; reporting on finances and project progress to project donors, ensuring that donor expectations are met.

About You

• Previous experience in managing and developing conservation projects.
• 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.
• Experience in collaborative working and including maintaining good relationships with partners, statutory stakeholders and funders.
• Confidence in presenting the work of ZSL to a range of audiences including the public, academia and press.
• Experience in the administration, management and reporting of budgets.
• A good understanding of statistical analysis including using R in addition to being confident with GIS. 

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.? 

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 do we offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• 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
  
• 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

NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.