Project Development Manager – Big Chalk in the South Downs

South Downs National Park Authority; Midhurst; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation authority in the UK is seeking a Project Development Manager to lead the bid for a £10 million proposal to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The successful candidate will coordinate partnerships, manage projects, and engage stakeholders in a hybrid work environment, contributing to a nature recovery program. This role offers flexible working, healthcare benefits, and ample annual leave.

Benefits

Flexible working

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Healthcare benefits

27 days annual leave

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in developing large landscape scale bids.
• Practical experience facilitating stakeholder engagement.
• Background in project governance and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the bid building phase for a £10 million proposal.
• Build partnerships with various stakeholders.
• Work closely with internal teams to prepare the bid.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Budget management

Co-design approaches

Job description

Project Development Manager – Big Chalk in the South Downs

Location: South Downs Centre Midhurst (Hybrid Working)

Job Type:

Fixed Term (18 months)

Hours:

37 hours per week

Closing date:

04 January 2026, 23:30

Interview date:

21 January 2026

Details

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) cares for the landscapes, wildlife and heritage of the National Park and helps people to learn about and enjoy the area. As a protected landscape the SDNPA has a critical role in the delivery of 30×30 as well as the benefits and services which come from having natural capital assets in good condition.

Big Chalk in the South Downs is a large-scale nature recovery and water stewardship programme focused on the chalk landscape of the South Downs National Park. It contributes to Big Chalk’s vision – a partnership of over 150 organisations collaborating to create nature-rich chalk and limestone landscapes across southern England. The South Downs project objectives include restoring species-rich grasslands, protecting chalk streams, supporting farmers, and strengthening catchment planning to deliver long-term environmental resilience.

The primary purpose of this role is to lead and coordinate the “bid building” phase to develop a major £10 million proposal to the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Landscape Connections programme for the South Downs. For the next 18 months we are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual to build partnerships with a range of stakeholders, as well as to work closely internally with SDNPA Teams with a view to submitting a bid by mid-2027.

So, do you have experience of developing large landscape scale bids to the National Lottery Heritage Fund or other funders? Have you got practical experience of facilitating co-design approaches and stakeholder engagement to bring about transformational change? Have you previously fulfilled a project management role that has included budget management, project governance and reporting?

Sound like something that interests you? Think you have the enthusiasm and drive to take this forward? Meet the person specification? Then please apply!

To apply: Please click here to upload your CV and complete our application referring to the person specification.

SDNPA is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, faith and religion, disability and age.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled applicants.

In all circumstances the SDNPA appoints on merit based on evidence the applicant supplies in meeting the essential criteria for the post. Further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found here.

SDNPA Enhanced Benefits

• Flexible working – (this is available for the majority of our roles. However, some positions may require on-site presence and /or specific hours due to business needs)
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Heat Scheme (capped interest-free green home improvement loan, available on a first-come, first-served basis)
• Healthcare – includes cash plan, counselling and wellbeing discounts
• Access to Health and Wellbeing portal and webinars
• 27 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events / activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty

"The Downs...too much for one pair of eyes, enough to float a whole population in happiness."