Senior Project Manager (Marine Plastics & Bycatch)

ZSL is looking to hire a Senior Projects Manager (12 month maternity cover) to join our Aquatic Species and Policy team, which sits in the Conservation & Policy Department. The successful candidate will work across two projects:

• South Atlantic Plastics is a collaborative project in which ZSL is working with the UK Overseas Territories of Ascension and St Helena, to co-design innovative solutions to reduce single-use plastic use and co-develop appropriate mitigation strategies to reduce the impacts of plastic pollution on wildlife.
• Bycatch is the incidental capture of non-target species; of particular concern is capture of sensitive marine species – such as cetaceans, elasmobranch, seabirds and pinnipeds. ZSL is involved in two initiatives related to wildlife bycatch: Insight 360 and Clean Catch 2.

Key responsibilities:  

The Senior Project Manager, with support from the Aquatic Species and Policy Programme Lead, oversees the delivery of project objectives to time and budget. This includes the following key responsibilities:

• Oversee project implementation and management; including project monitoring, evaluation and learning plans and MS Teams workflow boards, to enable adaptive management across both projects.
• Identify fundraising opportunities and design and secure grant funding to deliver the projects.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships with agencies such as government authorities, national and international NGOs, private sector, research institutions, relevant actors and donors relevant to the projects.
• Lead budget forecasting and financial management for the projects. Ensure both ZSL and partner funds are appropriately spent, monitored and recorded.
• Support EDI learning across the Aquatic Species and Policy team and ensure that projects are approved via ZSL’s Ethical Review Process both for humans and wildlife.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong experience in managing and delivering complex multi-partner projects on time and to budget.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience using project management processes.
• Proven track record of fundraising and developing grant proposals.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of marine conservation science and policy.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, with proven self-motivation and problem-solving.
• Ability to effectively build and develop relationships with a wide range of cross‐sectoral people and representatives.
• Excellent time management skills, including the ability to respond quickly to demands, effectively prioritise and meet deadlines, and work in a fast‐paced environment.
• Proven experience in report-writing for a range of audiences (scientific, technical, wider-public)

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.

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