Nature Ridge Project Development Manager

Salary: £39,862 - £41,771 per annum

Hours per week: 37 hours 

Temporary / Fixed term: Until March 2028

Interview date: 06 August 2026

Do you want to help two iconic chalk National Landscapes and a National Trail adapt in the face of climate change? We are seeking an experienced Development Manager to lead our Nature Ridge Landscape Connections project at its formative stage. Working closely with partners and a wide range of stakeholders, you will shape the programme, identify opportunities, assemble and submit a strong Development Application.

Nature Ridge Landscape Connections project (NRLC) is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) through the Landscape Connections programme. This aims to put landscapes into recovery supporting habitats and species alongside rich cultural heritage in better connected, working landscapes and to enable people to connect with nature and the environment. This early development work will align with NLHF priorities and support the North Wessex Downs and Chilterns’ Nature Recovery Plans, National Landscape Management Plans, emerging Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans, and County Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

This is a rewarding role for a creative, innovative person with excellent people skills, strong landscape and habitat knowledge, and proven experience guiding teams to define development needs and secure funding. You will be self-motivated, highly organised, and confident working in partnership across conservation, landscape, or land management sectors, ideally with local knowledge of these landscapes, their wildlife, heritage and communities. You will be an outstanding communicator, able to build trusted relationships with farmers, land managers and conservation bodies. Experience of developing and managing Lottery and/or Defra-funded projects is desirable. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.