Eden Project advertises for 'visionary leader' to deliver new £100m Morecambe facility

The Eden Project has advertised for an "exceptional project director" to take charge of bringing their planned new £100m complex in Morecambe to fruition.

The educational charity has put out an advertisement seeking someone to be "responsible for project leadership and management that assures delivery of design, construction and experience outcomes" for the new Eden Project Morecambe.

The successful candidate would be based in Morecambe and earn £100,000-120,000 salary, based on their knowledge, skills and experience.

The closing date for applications is January 27 2025 and interviews are due to take place in February.

The Eden Project Morecambe is earmarked for 4.8 hectares of land on the central promenade in Morecambe, near the Midland hotel, and is due to open in 2028.

Further ground investigation work on-site is expected to start in 2025, following on from initial checks in 2023, and the Eden team is also due to open an office at the Winter Gardens theatre, just across the road.

The mixed-use complex will be housed in shell-like domes and will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay.

Eden Project Morecambe will be the environment-focussed charity's second site in the UK and is expected to pull 740,000 visitors annually, as well as providing around 300 high-quality green jobs, plus more than 1,000 additional new jobs supported in the region.

The existing UK Eden Project visitor attraction in Cornwall, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, has transformed the region's economy since opening in 2000.

Eden is also planning to open a new site in Dundee, called Eden Project Scotland, and the new project director will, in time, be responsible for its delivery too.

"This role is pivotal in balancing the complex, integrated elements of construction, horticulture, and visitor experience delivery, all while aligning with Eden’s vision of public benefit and sustainability," says the job description posted on the Eden Project website.

"Reporting directly to the Eden Project CEO, this is a unique opportunity to shape a world-class destination that leaves a lasting legacy for Morecambe and the Eden Project.

"The role is accountable for managing the contracted outputs and commercial relationships, providing day-to-day oversight and leadership on all elements requiring client-side delivery decisions.

"Due to the national profile and strategic importance of the project, the role will be required to consult, inform and manage stakeholder relationships within the context of both local and national government.

"You will be a key member of the project delivery team and will work with and support other team members to bring your major project delivery skills, knowledge and experience to steer the required outputs and outcomes across all programme workstreams.

"You will also be responsible, along with other members of the Eden Project team, for representing the Eden Project locally in communicating and engaging with the local stakeholders and wider community regarding project delivery."

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in large-scale construction and project management, including managing projects exceeding a cost of £50m, a deep understanding of contract administration, proven expertise in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex stakeholder relationships, strong familiarity with public procurement processes and governance, and exceptional organisational, analytical, and decision-making skills, with a track record of delivering projects within budget and on schedule. Experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector is advantageous.

They will also:

1. Provide visionary leadership to ensure the project achieves its design, construction, and operational objectives within agreed timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Maintain a balance between construction excellence, visitor experience, horticultural integrity, and sustainability goals.
2. Project Management: Lead all phases of the project, from pre-construction and procurement to commissioning and operational handover. Ensure rigorous oversight of design intent, procurement strategies, construction activities, and commissioning processes.
3. Stakeholder Collaboration: Act as the primary representative of Eden Project Morecambe, liaising with internal teams, external consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders to foster collaboration and alignment. Maintain transparent communication with the Eden Project Board and other stakeholders, ensuring early identification and resolution of risks or issues.
4. Operational Excellence: Implement robust project controls, mechanisms, and accountability frameworks to assure quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery. Oversee reporting on design, scheduling, cost planning, and deliverables, addressing potential challenges with innovative and practical solutions.
5. Community & Social Impact: Shape and measure the social value of the project, ensuring that it delivers positive outcomes for the local community in partnership with the Eden Communities Team. Promote sustainability and align construction practices with Eden’s mission and objectives for environmental stewardship and public benefit.
6. Team Leadership: Inspire, mentor, and manage project teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, and excellence. Ensure knowledge-sharing and professional development opportunities for staff and apprentices.
7. Handover & Optimisation: Coordinate with Eden’s pre-opening operations team to deliver seamless handover and commissioning. Lead post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and ensure ongoing optimisation.

Below, a concept image of Eden Project Morecambe, from December 2024.

The Eden website says: "Eden Project Morecambe, will transform a site on Morecambe’s seafront into a world class cultural and scientific educational eco-destination.

"Overlooking the natural beauty of Morecambe Bay, spectacular pavilions and inter-connecting gardens will be curated with horticulture, exhibits, art commissions, storytelling, performance, interactive installations, immersive environments, events, workshops and education programmes.

"Within the context of humanity facing the impact of the planetary emergency, the project is designed as a global exemplar; an immersive cultural learning hub for regenerative sustainability, one that demonstrates, communicates and inspires positive change, providing hope and agency - for all.

"Since 2017 we have been working in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University to assess, design and develop Eden Project Morecambe.

"This strategic partnership and collaboration resulted in the confirmation of £50m of Government grant funding for the project as part of a £100m overall capital cost to make the project a reality.

"Fundraising to meet the full project outturn cost is in the final stages and will be augmented throughout construction to opening."

Below, another concept image from December 2024. Credit: Eden Project.

Behind-the-scenes work on the Eden Project Morecambe has been ongoing ahead of construction beginning on the former Dome/Bubbles swimming pool site.

In November, Lancaster City Council announced they had received a full agreement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government enabling them to accept £50m of government funds towards the planned Eden Project Morecambe, as the accountable body.

This followed an announcement in the October budget that the Labour government would honour the £50m Levelling Up funding pledged towards the project by the previous Conservative government in January 2023.

So far £5m of this has been released by the government.

The Eden team has also been working on appointing a team of architects to develop the design of the new attraction.

The new facility will include:

• Above the Bay/The Realm of the Sun: an environment filled with plants and art exhibits, showcasing natural abundance and the rhythms of life linked to the sun.
• Below the Bay/The Realm of the Moon: an immersive series of theatrical experiences that bring to life lunar rhythms and tides.
• The Natural Observatory: the home of Eden Project Morecambe's research and education programmes.