South Kensington ZEN+ Programme Manager Job Description
ORGANISATION: Exhibition Road Cultural Group (ERCG)
LOCATION: Hybrid working – ERCG office in the Natural History Museum SW7 5BD (at least 3 days per week)
SALARY: £41-£45,000 per annum plus 8% pension contribution
HOURS: FULL TIME – scope for 4 days or flexible working on pro-rata salary
CONTRACT TERM: 3 year fixed term
REPORTING TO: Director, Exhibition Road Cultural Group
CLOSING DATE: 5pm Friday, 3 March 2023
This is an exciting opportunity to manage a unique and ambitious new collaborative programme which is a response to the climate emergency. South Ken ZEN+ is driven by the leading cultural and educational organisations in South Kensington - including the Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, Royal Albert Hall and Imperial College London – and will create a global exemplar zero-emissions and nature positive neighbourhood.
ABOUT ERCG
The ERCG is a partnership of 22 leading science and arts institutions in and around Exhibition Road, South Kensington. It includes participation from Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Discover South Kensington is our public-facing profile. These organisations share more than geography – they have a shared heritage and mission – founded from the Great Exhibition of 1851 for the purpose of promoting excellence and participation in arts and science for the benefit of society. We work together to ensure the world’s original cultural district is thriving, welcoming and enjoyable for all who visit, work, live and study. This district is a crucible for change, that uses its combined creativity and expertise in science and arts to inspire, innovate and create change. Addressing the most pressing issue of our day, our primary focus is working together to become a global exemplar of a carbon zero, nature positive neighbourhood. ERCG is a charity and is funded by the member organisations. The South Ken ZEN+ programme has catalyst funding from the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for the period 2023-26.
ABOUT SOUTH KEN ZEN+
South Ken ZEN+ is a ground-breaking programme of joint activity across the cultural and educational organisations in South Kensington, which aims to accelerate work towards becoming a zero emissions and nature positive neighbourhood. South Ken ZEN+ has four inter-related priorities: zero emissions, nature positive, circular economy, and sustainable travel. The main work strands for 2023-6 are developing a comprehensive reporting framework as the foundation for project evaluation and a shared procurement charter and policies; establishing a research lab to maximise the impact of expertise that already exists within the member network through real world testing; and leading collaboration with our local community to co-create a plan for a greener neighbourhood.
THE ROLE
The South Ken ZEN+ Programme Manager will manage and coordinate the programme of collaboration by cultural and educational organisations in South Kensington to accelerate becoming a zero emissions and nature positive district. The Programme Manager will be part of the ERCG team working closely with four other colleagues, and with teams across all ERCG Member organisations.
This is a coordination and engagement role, working with colleagues across Member organisations, and supporting collaborative working. The post holder will contribute fresh ideas, successfully influence and inspire, plan their own workload and engage a wide range of audiences to coordinate a range of projects (within a programme) and work closely with subject matter experts.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Programme management – overall planning and coordination of the South Ken ZEN+ programme. Manage delivery groups, Steering Group and support ERCG Director in reporting to ERCG Board, partners and funders, identifying decision points and milestones and ensuring momentum on the South Ken ZEN+ strategy. Liaise across all South Ken ZEN+ partners to coordinate joint activity, identify new opportunities and address any issues with South Ken ZEN+ initiatives and share best practice.
- Monitoring and reporting Develop a strong communication culture with the South Ken ZEN+ delivery partners, establishing procedures to support consistent sharing of knowledge. Establish project goals and baselines and a process to monitor and report progress against the wider programme. Coordinate the delivery of the annual South Ken ZEN+ report.
Stakeholder engagement – identify key stakeholders – both internal and external and ensure they are kept informed and involved as the programme develops. Be the lead point of contact on South Ken ZEN+, develop the SKZEN+ network of colleagues across ERCG member institutions. Maintain ERCG mailing lists for SKZEN+ project participants, public and stakeholders to support work in this area.
- Communications – work with ERCG Head of Communications and Marketing to develop and implement the communications plan for SKZEN+, including digital content and events. Be responsible for SKZEN+ social media platforms and web content. Deliver regular updates on SKZEN+ and related developments and opportunities. Maintain awareness of the activity of other relevant districts, BIDs and organisations in the sustainability space to ensure the project references best practice. Identify a calendar of relevant London-wide, national, and global events and connect SKZEN+ as appropriate.
- Events - develop a programme of relevant events to cover plenary sessions, workshops and an annual convening to share findings and progress, as well as plan for the future. Develop and give presentations to internal and external audiences about SKZEN+, opportunities to engage and opportunities for partnership. Support ERCG Director and Board in representing South Ken ZEN+ externally.
- Funding and business case development – identify funding opportunities and work with ERCG Members and the ERCG Director to develop and submit funding proposals. Work with working groups to develop briefs, resources required and business cases for specific elements within the work streams.
- Budget and contract management - prepare briefs and tenders for external advice and consultancy as required
- Risk management - Identify project risks, develop a mitigation plan and ensure that the ERCG Director and board are aware of project risks.
- Work with ERCG Director, Steering Group and partners to identify and agree South Ken ZEN+ longer term work plan beyond 2026
Other duties as directed by the Director to meet the demands of the South Ken ZEN+ programme
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Proven project management experience and ability to deliver a wide range of projects with competing deadlines and demands, including ability to respond to changing circumstance with pace.
- Effective communicator, who has demonstrable experience of tailoring content for the needs of different audiences and has strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, confident engaging with a wide range of people, and able to convene, facilitate and influence.
- Experience of producing written information for reporting and producing material for internal and external engagement.
- Team worker with the ability to work independently and a willingness to resolve situations.
- Effective problem-solving skills
- Experience of preparing funding applications and drafting work specifications, briefs, appointing and managing contractors.
Desirable
- Experience delivering similar programmes in the charity/not-for-profit sector
- Direct experience in the management of environmental sustainability programmes, addressing sustainability issues in a large cultural organisation or Higher Education institution, local authority or an organisation with ERCG membership
- Experience of managing partnership projects with multiple organisations and stakeholder groups, including projects focused on organisational change
- Knowledge of environmental legislation and policy context in London, UK and globally. Connection to the sustainability sector and ability to keep up to date with significant developments.
- Knowledge of the energy, facilities management and construction sectors
- Business case development experience
- Competent numerically with good analytical thinking/skills and the ability to evaluate data, construct logical arguments, experience of managing budgets.
- Experience of communication concepts and confidence in using range of social media and digital platforms.
How to apply
At ERCG we champion diversity and equal opportunities and therefore welcome applications from those who bring difference.
Please forward a CV and COVERING LETTER explaining how you meet the criteria for this role. Please include names of referees.
jobs@exhibitionroad.com
Applications close 3 March at 5pm. Interviews are likely to be held 6 – 17 March.
