Conservation Projects Lead

Home working (UK) with easy access to Wales

About Us

We are a leading UK environmental charity dedicated to protecting our ocean - defending crucial habitats, regenerating vital ecosystems and inspiring volunteers. We unite communities, governments, and industry, and champion science-based solutions for cleaner, healthier seas to tackle the climate and nature emergency.

We are currently looking for a Conservation Projects Lead to join us on a full-time basis, working 35 hours per week. This is a funded role for two years.

The Benefits

- Salary of £34,000 - £39,000 per annum

- Annual leave starting at 25 days a year, plus Bank Holidays, and increasing with service (we also close between Christmas and New Year as extra time off)

- 6% employer contributions to our stakeholder pension scheme

- Occupational sick pay - full-pay for 8 weeks, then 8 weeks at half-pay (after probation ends)

- Great work/life balance through flexible and, in many cases, remote working

- Support for your health and wellbeing with a programme of activities plus an employee assistance programme for you and the people who live with you

- A paid day for you to volunteer to support another charity of your choice

- Cycle-to-work scheme to help you buy a bike

Help Us Restore the Ocean

At the Marine Conservation Society, we’re passionate about protecting UK seas and demonstrating what recovery really looks like. We’re looking for a creative, collaborative Conservation Projects Lead to design and deliver targeted ocean restoration projects, particularly in Wales, with scope to scale impact across the UK.

Why This Role Matters

- Turn science into real-world nature-based solutions that boost marine biodiversity and resilience

- Pilot innovative, place-based approaches that inform policy and inspire communities

The Role

As our Conservation Projects Lead, you will design and deliver innovative approaches to marine recovery across Wales.

You’ll lead the creation of evidence-based, place-focused projects that tackle nature decline, trial new approaches to marine management, and embed nature-based solutions.

Working with colleagues across the organisation, you’ll align projects with advocacy and policy opportunities, secure investment and funding, and engage communities and stakeholders to maximise impact and long-term sustainability.

You’ll also represent the organisation at national and international levels, building partnerships with statutory bodies, learning institutions, and other organisations to influence decision makers and showcase marine recovery solutions.

Additionally, you will:

- Manage and support your project team

- Oversee workplans and budgets

- Review the strategic impact of projects with senior leadership

- Act as a spokesperson for recovery projects with media, partners, and funders

- Ensure projects align with the wider Atlantic Coast Programme

About You

To be considered as our Conservation Projects Lead, you will need:

- Experience managing a portfolio of projects

- Experience developing high-quality funding proposals

- Knowledge and experience of UK marine conservation issues, legislation and competent authorities

- To be a skilled and experienced spokesperson

- The proven ability to manage staff members

- The ability to develop and implement biodiversity conservation and management policy and projects

- The ability to assess ecological need and ability for recovery/enhanced resilience to determine distinct geographically focused projects

- A full, valid driving licence and access to a vehicle

The closing date for this role is 12th October 2025.

Other organisations may call this role Marine Project Lead, Conservation Project Manager, Programme Manager, Project Development Manager, or Project Lead.

Webrecruit and The Marine Conservation Society are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you want to be a key part of a movement driving real, lasting change as a Conservation Projects Lead, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.

Marine Conservation Society

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Conservation Projects Lead