RECRUITMENT
Thank you for your interest in joining our team and being part of our work to protect and restore rivers across Essex and Suffolk.
The Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust (ESRT) is an independent environmental charity dedicated to improving and protecting rivers and estuaries across Essex and Suffolk. Working with communities, landowners, farmers, statutory bodies and businesses, we bring people, data and expertise together to restore nature, protect water, and build resilience for future generations.
Our current vacancies are listed below. Each advert includes further information about the role, the skills and experience we are looking for, and details of how to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!
PROJECT MANAGER
November 2026 – Project Manager
Term: Fixed term 20 months
Salary: £37,503 p.a
Pension: NEST pension scheme (6% Employer Contribution)
Hours: Full time (37.5 hours per week). This role can be offered part time for the right candidate.
Holidays: 25 days plus statutory holidays
Place of work: This is a hybrid position with a mix of home working, and from our office in Stowmarket, Suffolk. Regular travel throughout the East Suffolk and Combined Essex catchment areas required.
About the role: As a Project Manager you will lead projects that will help to protect and restore rivers across Essex and Suffolk. The role focuses on delivering nature-based solutions that provide multiple benefits, including improved habitats, enhanced biodiversity, and stronger links with wider environmental initiatives.
Working with landowners and partners, the postholder will develop and deliver projects such as river restoration, wetland enhancement, and wildlife corridor improvements. You will oversee all stages of project development, from feasibility and design through to permissions and on-the-ground delivery, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
The role also involves community engagement, securing funding, and maintaining a pipeline of future projects. Strong partnership working is essential, particularly with the Environment Agency and local stakeholders, to maximise environmental and community benefits. The postholder will work closely with the wider team to manage budgets, report outcomes and promote completed projects.
About You: We’re looking for a motivated and organised project manager with a genuine interest in rivers, nature conservation and environmental restoration. You will have experience of managing projects from development through to delivery, building strong relationships with landowners and partners, and balancing practical delivery with environmental outcomes.
You’ll be a confident communicator, able to manage budgets and competing priorities, identify funding opportunities and work collaboratively to deliver projects that make a lasting difference for rivers, wildlife and local communities.
You will likely bring:
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Excellent communication, problem-solving and project planning skills.
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Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
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The ability to identify opportunities, manage risks and adapt to changing project needs
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Experience coordinating project budgets, timelines and reporting requirements.
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An understanding of relevant environmental legislation, permissions and regulatory processes.
Full details of the role and responsibilities can be found in the applicant pack.
If you have the skills and potential to grow into the role, we’d love to hear from you, even if you don’t meet every requirement.
How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a supporting statement (maximum two pages or equivalent) outlining:
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Why you are interested in this role
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Your relevant skills and experience
Send your application to: recruitment@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org
Closing date: 11pm Sunday 22nd November
Telephone interviews: From w/c 23rd November 2026
In-person interviews: Date tbc (Stowmarket)
If you have any questions about the Project Manager role, please contact recruitment@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications, we therefore encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
TRUSTEES
November 2026 – Trustee x 3
Hours: Part-time, voluntary
Place of work: Home-based. Board meetings at locations agreed by the Trustees.
About the role: The Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust is registered as both a charity (No. 1157392) and a company (No. 08834787). Our Board members are both Trustees of the Trust and Directors of the Company. Four Board members act as the Trust’s officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary.
This is an opportunity to help guide a growing environmental charity at a time when rivers face significant challenges but also present important opportunities for positive change. Our work takes place within a changing landscape of environmental policy, land management and funding, making effective governance, strategic thinking and partnership working increasingly important.
Our Trustees work collectively with our Trust Director to guide the strategic direction of Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust and support the delivery of our vision. As the organisation continues to develop, we are looking for people who are keen to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience to help shape our future.
We are aiming to appoint a number of new Trustees in this round of recruitment. This will enable new Trustees to join the board at an exciting time of change, and the induction process will encourage peer to peer knowledge sharing and growth.
About You: As a Trustee, you will contribute to the strategic development, good governance and financial sustainability of the Trust. Working alongside fellow Trustees and the Director, you will help ensure that the organisation remains effective, resilient and focused on delivering its charitable purposes.
We welcome applicants with a range of backgrounds and experiences who share our commitment to healthy rivers and thriving communities. You do not need to be an environmental specialist to make a valuable contribution to the Board.
We are particularly interested to hear from people who:
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Have experience of leading and managing growth within an organisation.
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Can highlight how we could support finance and business in delivering biodiversity and carbon offsets.
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Have experience in developing successful corporate funding relationships.
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Have a background in any of the following areas: financial management, community engagement, marketing, and communications, fundraising and strategic planning.
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Can broaden and deepen the diversity of thought and experience represented in our organisation. We aim to represent and reflect diverse communities.
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Have experience and understanding of land-use and farming and the opportunities available for landowners and environmental organisations to work together to bring positive impacts for all.
It would also be ideal if you had:
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A desire to tackle nature and climate emergencies, in particular in the water environment.
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A track record of successfully working within or managing a senior team.
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Experience in writing funding bids and a good understanding of what makes them successful.
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An ability to think strategically and discern how to prioritise opportunities that will ensure growth and sustainability.
Full details of the role and responsibilities can be found in the applicant pack.
How to Apply: We invite you to submit a personal statement focussing on why you would like to become a Trustee, your relevant knowledge, experience, and skills and what you would like to offer to the Trust (two pages maximum).
Please send your personal statement along with your CV to recruitment@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org.
The closing date for this role is 11pm on Sunday 29th November.
No agencies please. We would be happy to discuss the role further. Please contact recruitment@essexsuffolkriverstrust.org with any queries or to arrange a phone conversation with the Director.
Initial telephone interviews will be held in December. Applicants who proceed to the next stage will need to complete a skills audit form and attend an online interview.
Successful candidates will need to:
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provide references
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confirm that they are eligible to act as a Trustee and Director
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supply the registration details required by Companies House and the Charity Commission.
Subject to successful completion of all stages, the new appointments will take effect from the next Board meeting on Tuesday 19th January 2027.