Catchment Manager

Catchment Manager – (Rural/ Thames Valley)

Job Description

Level: Manager Band A
Location: Remote/ Hybrid – Oxfordshire preferable but open to other locations within catchment area, flexible working.
Responsible to: Programme Manager Catchment Partnerships, or directly to Assistant Head of Improving Rivers / Head of Improving Rivers

About Thames21

Thames21 is an environmental charity which works across London and the Thames Basin to deliver high-impact nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers, whilst also connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces and inspiring long-term stewardship of them.

Diversity at Thames21

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.

Purpose of the job

To drive forward Thames21’s ‘Thames Valley’ (broadly Oxfordshire/ Buckinghamshire/ Berkshire) catchment areas programme in line with our 5-year plan and future strategies ensuring appropriate integration across Thames21 and partner organisations. This includes building and sustaining a team to reduce diffuse pollution, increase biodiversity, improve water quality, and support agricultural businesses to deliver environmental improvement works and nature friendly farming practices.

The postholder requires operational experience and knowledge at catchment scale as well as project and people management experience. They will take a strategic overview of the programme and guide our growth in the thematical and geographical area, with a particular focus on the following outcomes.

• Work with 20 farmers each year to reduce diffuse pollution at source and flood risk.
• Offer advice on nature-based solutions and grant funding to farmers and landowners.
• Plant 30,000 trees annually.
• Input and support the achievement of other applicable 5-year plan targets. i.e. River restoration and catchment scale monitoring.
• Increase Thames21 presence in the Thames Valley, identifying opportunities, supporting, and complimenting the work of other NGOs and regional Rivers Trusts.

The role is a relatively new area of work for Thames21 and may consist of supporting a range of projects and programmes including Catchment Partnerships, Farm Clusters and Natural Flood Management.

Finally, the postholder will take a lead in progressing Thames21’s resilience strategy i.e. working closely with the Fundraising Team, the Catchment Partnership Team, and partner organisations to increase private and public investment to deliver healthy resilient rivers and catchments.

Additional requirements may include supporting other Thames21 projects and funding applications, as the need arises.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

You will oversee and manage the delivery of diverse projects. You will also develop your team’s scope, strategy and action plan in order to grow the team to deliver 5-year plan targets work closely with expert (e.g. statutory bodies, authorities, NGOs and academics) and non-expert (e.g. community groups and volunteers) stakeholders to develop, fund and deliver projects within the catchments, and oversee their management. You will also work closely with the Assistant/ Head of Improving Rivers and other members of the Thames21 team to develop funding applications and steer the direction of the catchment areas.

Tasks include:

• Programme Development & Integration - Develop and expand the Thames Valley catchment programme in line with Thames21’s 5-year strategy, ensuring integration with other teams.

• Funding & Financial Management - Secure diverse funding sources and manage project budgets, including financial reporting and cost tracking to meet objectives.

• Project & Risk Management - Lead project delivery, monitor progress, and identify risk mitigation strategies to ensure continued success.

• Team Leadership & Staff Development - Manage and support staff through training, appraisals, workload balancing, and adherence to health and safety requirements.

• Stakeholder Engagement - Build and maintain relationships with internal teams, funding bodies, landowners and other external stakeholders.

• Technical & Farm Advisory Support - Provide farm advice, generate reports (including GIS mapping), and maintain a database of visits and environmental opportunities.

• Catchment-Based Approach Advocacy - Promote and apply catchment-based principles internally and externally in water and land management.

• Health, Safety & Compliance - Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and broader regulatory requirements across all projects.

• Information & Data Management - Maintain accurate documentation and project data systems, supporting transparency and accountability.

• Promotion & Communications - Support production of publicity materials and represent Thames21’s work to broader audiences.

Other Duties

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within Thames21. At various times the post-holder will be directed to carry out other reasonable duties in support of other Thames21 activities that are consistent with those in this Job Description.