Programme Manager — Smarter Water Catchment

River Thame Conservation Trust are looking for an experienced environmental professional to lead an ambitious new Smarter Water Catchment programme for the River Thame.

This is an opportunity to work at catchment scale, bringing together evidence, practical action and partnership working to address the pressures facing our rivers.

The programme is funded by Thames Water and delivered by the River Thame Conservation Trust in partnership with the Thame Catchment Partnership. It will identify practical solutions to improve water quality, enhance the aquatic environment and support more sustainable land and water management.

• Location: Wheatley, Oxfordshire
• Starting Salary: £53,000
• Contract: Full-time, Permanent
• Closing on Mon, 19th October 2026

The opportunity

As Programme Manager, you will lead delivery of the four-year programme, turning evidence and local knowledge into practical solutions for the catchment.

• Shape a portfolio of catchment-scale projects addressing the pressures affecting river health.
• Bring together evidence, data and local knowledge to identify where action is most needed.
• Work with farmers, landowners, local authorities, environmental organisations, Thames Water and other partners to develop and deliver solutions.
• Identify opportunities for nature-based solutions, sustainable land management and improved water quality.
• Build the partnerships and permissions needed to turn ideas into deliverable, investment-ready projects.
• Lead and develop a growing project team.
• Manage programme budgets, contractors, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Help influence partner plans, policies and investment priorities so that solutions identified through the programme have a lasting impact.

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What we're looking for

We're looking for someone with significant experience managing complex environmental or conservation projects and building effective partnerships across different organisations.

Environmental expertise

• Understanding of catchment management, freshwater systems and environmental pressures.
• Knowledge of areas such as water quality, river restoration, natural flood management or sustainable land management.

Programme management

• Experience managing complex projects, budgets, contracts and multiple workstreams.
• Strong planning, organisation, monitoring and reporting skills.
• Experience leading or supervising staff.

Partnership building

• Confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders and organisational interests.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to bring people together around practical environmental outcomes.

Knowledge of the Thame catchment, water company investment programmes, nature recovery policy or environmental markets would be advantageous, but we are particularly interested in the experience and capabilities you would bring to the role.

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Why join RTCT?

Make a tangible difference locally, while contributing to wider change for rivers.

You’ll join a small, multidisciplinary team with extensive experience of the Thame catchment and a strong network of local partners. Your work will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the local area, while contributing to wider approaches to river restoration and catchment management through the Rivers Trust movement.

• Lead a major catchment-scale programme for the River Thame.
• Work across freshwater, agriculture, nature recovery and sustainable land management.
• Collaborate with a wide network of partners, landowners and communities.
• Help shape solutions that could attract future investment and continue beyond the initial four-year programme.
• Join a team of seven staff supported by an active volunteer network and the wider Rivers Trust movement.
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Professional development and training
• Rivers Trust pension scheme: 6% employee + 9% RTCT contribution
• Free parking at the Trust's office

Interested?

Download the full job specification and application details: SWC Programme Manager - Full Job Spec

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Closing date: 9 am, Monday 19 October 2026
Interviews: Friday 23 October 2026, in person in Wheatley

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to Paula Hudson, RTCT Administrative Support Officer, [email protected].