Head of Improving Rivers

Job Title:

Salary: £55,000 to £60,000 per annum

Band: Senior Leadership Team

Contract length:Permanent - 35 hours per week, full time. Hybrid working

Location:London-based, primarily Guildhall (EC2V 7HH
) and Bow Lock (E3 3JY
), with work across Thames
21 project locations.

Responsible to: Chief Executive

Responsible for
:
Improving Rivers Managers and associated staff.

About Thames
21:

Thames
21 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 Thames
21

Thames
21 is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve across London and the Thames Basin. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences.

Purpose of the role

Lead and grow Thames
21’s Improving Rivers Team to deliver high-quality river restoration, catchment management and environmental evidence programmes, while contributing to organisational growth and strategic partnerships.

Key relationships

Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, Improving Rivers Managers, Finance, Fundraising/Partnerships, external partners including the Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities, GLA and mayoral bodies, academic partners, environmental NGOs and funders.

Main duties and responsibilities

1) Strategic leadership & portfolio growth

• Lead the strategic development of the Improving Rivers portfolio, setting clear objectives and outcomes aligned to Thames
  21’s plan (2023–2028).
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to organisational strategy, financial sustainability, risk management and culture across Thames
  21.
• Translate strategy into actionable delivery plans with measurable targets and milestones.
• Embed effective monitoring & evaluation across projects and programmes to evidence impact and inform decision‑making.
• Contributing to organisational risk management and business planning.
• Champion innovation and the use of environmental/nature finance mechanisms where appropriate to scale delivery.

2) Programme oversight, quality & compliance

• Direct and support Improving Rivers Managers to deliver a coherent programme of work across river restoration, evidence, and catchment partnerships.
• Enable cross‑team collaboration (with the Engagement & Learning Team and others) to maximise multiple benefits for people and nature.
• Ensure robust project governance, risk management and reporting. Oversee Health & Safety and CDM compliance and safe systems of work.
• Act as one of the Duty Senior Managers in the weekend cover rota
• Establish and maintain portfolio measurement indices and ensure timely data entry into Thames
  21 platforms.

3) People leadership & culture

• Lead, motivate and develop Improving Rivers Managers; set clear objectives, undertake regular 1:1s, appraisals and PDPs.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performance culture. Ensure staff wellbeing and professional development.
• Plan and chair IR team and managers’ meetings. Maintain effective internal communications and knowledge‑sharing (e.g., SharePoint).

4) Finance, funding & organisational development

• Hold delegated authority for budget setting and expenditure sign‑off within the portfolio. Ensure accurate financial planning, management and reporting.
• Support development of high‑quality bids and funding agreements (statutory, partnership and philanthropic), including large strategic bids and environmental market opportunities by providing technical expertise, programme design and partner engagement.
• Work with Finance and Fundraising to strengthen controls,…