Climate Hub Project Manager

Salary: £35,608 to £37,694 with progression to £46,049 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 03 November 2025

The Role

We are looking for an experienced project manager with a passion for positive action on climate change to act as the Project Manager of the north-east regional hub for the national Climate Ambassadors programme: https://climateambassadors.org.uk/.

The postholder will lead the project and operational management of the regional hub for the national Climate Ambassadors programme working in partnership with the project’s Principal Investigator. Regional hub project managers across the country are critical to the success of the project through their work in expanding and accelerating the programme’s reach. 

Key priorities include:

• Recruiting and supporting volunteer climate ambassadors through engagement with local nurseries, schools and other education settings across the North East region in line with Climate Action Plans
• Recruiting and supporting education settings to work with Climate Ambassadors to develop Climate Action Plans
• Understanding the North East region’s needs and using these insights to shape the national Climate Ambassador programme

This role is based on a full-time contract of 37 hours per week, fixed term until 31 May 2027. Interviews will be held on 13 November 2025.

For informal enquiries about the role please contact Laura Thomson, Head of Strategic Implementation & Change, laura.thomson@newcastle.ac.uk

Key Accountabilities

• Provide professional project management for the project, including complex and diverse range of activities facilitated across several internal and external organisations/partnerships. Stakeholders include academics, industry specialists, education providers and volunteer climate ambassadors
• The postholder will assume responsibility for meeting Key Performance Indicators and ensuring the project is sustained in line with the project vision, strategic focus is maintained, and actions are implemented
• Recruit and support regional volunteer Climate Ambassadors from across industry, academia and civic society. Visit education settings and organise hub events at your institution to support engagement and facilitate engagement with climate ambassadors
• Conduct day-to-day management of the project on behalf of the Principal Investigator (PI), including monitoring and completion of project deliverables within set deadlines, project plans, financial reports, and directly contribute to the formation of national funder progress reports
• Compile and present administrative, management and financial information, and deliver project presentations at senior leadership meetings at Faculty and University committees. As well as external multi-stakeholder working groups, such as project collaborations and steering groups
• Engage with all project members, partners and stakeholders, through collaborative methods such as leading workshops. Gain team buy-in and commitment to guide members throughout the project
• Ensure accurate financial management of the project via thorough budget management and forecasting. Work closely with partners and SAgE Faculty Management Accounts team to aid the delivery of forecasts, budgets and financial reports
• Establish, develop and maintain successful partnerships with funders and external stakeholders on behalf of the PI. To advise the Principal and CoInvestigators and project committees on procedures, finance and sponsor regulations
• Support the PI in seeking funding opportunities and support the PI with the submission of funding applications
• Develop accurate content for external project communication materials, including a website and other print and/or digital media outlets, such as social media
• Lead the formation and management of project steering committees, including working groups at Faculty and University level. Develop and deliver external multi-stakeholder project events, such as workshops. Actively engage with stakeholders about project activities during national conferences
• Work as part of the Faculty Project Management team to contribute to the development of common ways of working and promote the use of best practice in project management
• Any other duties within the scope and general nature of the grade which may be required

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of climate change action in relation to decarbonisation and/or climate resilience
• Knowledge and/or experience of the education sector in England
• Experience of project management, including financial budgetary and forecasting, within a higher education establishment or other large organisation
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a multi-stakeholder team
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to give presentations to senior internal and external partners
• Strong interpersonal skills including negotiating and relationship/partnership building
• Excellent organisational and time management skills; ability to manage a demanding workload, recognise priorities and work to deadlines
• Proven ability to use initiative and to think strategically
• Excellent team development and people leadership skills, tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive and confidential information, and an ability to work well under pressure

Attributes and Behaviour

• Uses concise and accurate communication, tailoring the approach accordingly and encouraging a two-way communication process
• Encourages and supports a free flow of communication and information across own area, and the wider University and other partnerships where appropriate
• Persuades, convinces, and influences others to achieve results and gain support
• Explains how own proposals will support the interests of others (i.e., using win-win strategies)
• Manages time and resources by prioritising and organising effectively
• Uses systems and tools to ensure records and audit trails are clear and up to date
• Knows and understands customer/stakeholder needs
• Takes responsibility for achieving own targets

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent level qualification plus experience in a similar role

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 28671