Director of Regenerative Futures
Closing Date: Thu 23 January, 17:00 GMT 2025
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Applications
Please apply online, or alternatively, download the application form in Word and email it to hr@watershed.co.uk.
Do get in touch if you would like any of this information, or wish to apply, in another format.
Please do not include your CV as it will not be considered. Please put all relevant information on your application form.
Job description
- Position
- Director of Regenerative Futures
- Grade
- Exec
- Salary
- £57,807 per annum
- Hours
- Full time
- Contract type
- Permanent
- Responsible to
- CEO
- Location
- In the building. Hybrid working option available (part working in the building and part remote). This post is not suitable for full remote working.
Purpose of job
The role will lead Watershed Wild and Generous, working with our trustees, staff, stakeholders, communities and neighbours to deliver a sustainable, equitable and values-driven building and public space development. They will identify the right partners to deliver the project and work closely with the CEO to secure the resources needed to realise it.
They will go on to the build process from the client side, delivering a project which is highly aligned to Watershed’s mission, configured to serve our business and regenerative at its heart.
The ideal candidate will have a track record in planning and delivery but be ready to do things differently. They will be able to codify the ambitions of multiple stakeholders into something deliverable and realistic and will centre equity within their work. They will join Watershed’s Executive Team to make that vision a reality, leading a retrofit and regenerative design project with both short term impact and a 100 year vision.
They will be a strong negotiator, accomplished decision-maker and natural collaborator, who is adept at building effective working relationships with a wide variety of people
We are inspired by the work of We Can Make, The Onion Collective and Civic Square. Our ambition is to learn from their leadership and apply it to a mid-sized organisation in a heritage cultural building in the heart of Bristol city centre.
Read more about Watershed Wild and Generous.
The role will become part of the Watershed Executive Team for the period of the project, which will be a minimum of two years. We would welcome conversations around flexible hours and working.
Main responsibilities
The role is a mix of practical delivery and visionary leadership:
The visionary
- The creation of a plan that meets the imaginative and values-driven capacities of Watershed
- Build on Watershed’s methodologies around equitable futuring to deliver an engagement process that centres local communities and nature in design and delivery
- Stewardship of an approach that moves away from ownership/control to guardianship/responsibility to future generations
The Practical
Project Governance
- Mapping, management and communication with key stakeholders
- Setting up and managing governance of the project
Scoping
- Identify and commission appropriate consultants to deliver a Structural Appraisal and Condition Survey of the Watershed Building
- Review, prioritise and plan the smaller-project capital needs of the business in terms of building refurbishment
- Review current use of space by Watershed and develop some options around future utlisation
Planning
- Development of a prioritised retrofit and repair plan based on the results of the Condition Survey
- Delivery of a costed design document that formalises the scope and aims of the retrofit and regenerative design projects to inform initial designs and build tender process
- Confirm and obtain planning permissions and listed building consents
- Lead the development of a Fundraising Strategy (working with Head of Development and appropriate consultants) to realise the redevelopment, and ensure effective reporting to funders as required
- Produce a business case with metrics of impact and KPIs for the next stage of the project
Delivery
- Manage tender and selection process retrofit and regenerative design projects which meets the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.
- Scope and produce a local labour and materials strategy that is aligned to bio-regional regenerative design
- Project management of construction and delivery from the client side
- Line Management of the Facilities team to ensure a joined up approach to current operations and future plans.
Shared Executive responsibilities
- Advocacy and thought leadership around Watershed’s role in the local and national cultural sector
- Participation in shaping Watershed’s vision and strategy, alongside the Board of Trustees
- Championing of a values-based organisational culture
- Protection of the collaborative, inclusive organisational culture which supports and enables individuals and teams to deliver on objectives
Key performance indicators
- Successful development of a sustainable, equitable and values-driven plan that is costed, prioritised and possible.
- Strong collaborative and equitable partnerships formed around the vision
- Delivery is well integrated to Watershed activity and teams and minimises business interruption
- Delivery is professional, on budget and highly aligned to Watershed’s mission, configured to serve our business and regenerative at its heart.
Essential criteria
- A track record in capital development / leading building projects
- A forward-thinking and experienced approach to environmental sustainability and regenerative design
- Experience of creating inclusive and equitable projects or a demonstrable understanding of how to do so.
- Creative problem solving and open-ess to new methods and materials
- Excellent project leadership and management skills.
Application process
Closing date:
We will be conducting short interviews with all applicants who meet the essential criteria. A shortlist will then be invited to a longer second interview
First round interview / presentation (if relevant): -
Second round interview:
Before you apply
Watershed's first value is Inclusive – We listen to and learn from our community, creating equity and addressing harm where it occurs. The information below lays out some of the steps we are taking to create a more inclusive recruitment process. Many of these steps are new to us, so feedback and questions are very welcome.
You may not have worked in a cultural organisation before, or in an organisation like Watershed. Please still consider applying as many other sectors offer transferable contexts.
If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the culture sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism or you are a disabled person (as defined by the Equalities Act 2010), or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - and you would like support to articulate how your experience is transferable to this role, you can book time with us to discuss it. We will ensure the person you meet is not involved in the recruitment process. Please request this by emailing hr@watershed.co.uk (we will not ask you to disclose your background).
We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity and welcome applications from those who bring balance to our team. Watershed welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do. Supporting our staff means they are not appointed to represent specific groups or organisations.
Working at Watershed
Find out more about staff benefits, our values and more about our approach.
Access
Watershed will work with candidates to ensure their access needs are met during the interview process and will ensure access requirements are not a factor in decision making.
Equal opportunities monitoring
We are striving to understand more about who applies to work with us. At the end of the application process we invite you to complete our anonymous equal opportunities monitoring form, which will not be shared with anyone involved in the recruitment process.
Opening hours
At full operation, Watershed is open seven days a week, including Bank Holidays (Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the only exceptions). Watershed is a public building, which operates a diverse range of cultural and commercial activities. The post holder will need to be comfortable working in this environment.
Watershed Values
As a registered charity and social enterprise, Watershed has well-established brand values. We seek to apply our values in everything we do and ask staff, partners, suppliers and collaborators to do the same.
Our values are:
- Inclusive We listen to and learn from our community, creating equity and addressing harm where it occurs
- Transparent We share our approach openly and clearly, working at a pace which enables everyone to participate who wishes to
- Responsible We use our resources generously and sustainably, considering our impact on future generations
- Kind We are careful and caring with ourselves and with others
- Hopeful We celebrate culture, creativity and wonder as paths to a better future
Watershed is a Social Enterprise Mark holder. Social Enterprises are businesses whose products and services create both social and environmental benefits.
Closing Date: Thu 23 January, 17:00 GMT 2025