Assistant Director – Communications and Fund Development

Location: Gloucestershire or neighbouring counties
Salary: £38,000 – £42,000 pa pro rata depending on experience
Part Time: 0.6FTE
Fixed Term Contract: 22months with possibility of extension dependent on availability of funding
Job advertisement closing: 13 September 2026
Job interview: 23 & 24 September 2026

Introducing the Gloucestershire Nature + Climate Fund

The Gloucestershire Nature + Climate Fund (GNCF) is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Local Nature Partnership to unlock the potential of developing ecosystem service markets. The organisation is run by the CEO and the voluntary Board of Directors. The Fund leverages financial contributions from multiple private and public sector organisations and individuals for investment in the natural environment in Gloucestershire. The primary area of focus has been facilitating local Biodiversity Net Gain and now GNCF is expanding into funding greenspace purchase and management by local communities and charities in Gloucestershire.

Role

This new role is an exciting opportunity to become a part of the leading ecosystem service and green finance initiative for Gloucestershire.

The main role of the Assistant Director is to lead the strategic promotion, stakeholder engagement, communications and partnership development activities of the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund (GNCF). The role will be responsible for increasing awareness of the Fund amongst developers, local authorities, community organisations and environmental partners, while supporting the delivery of grants, funding opportunities and biodiversity enhancement projects across Gloucestershire.

Working closely with private and third-sector stakeholders, the postholder will develop and implement integrated marketing, communications and engagement programmes to attract funding, facilitate land acquisition opportunities and strengthen the Fund’s profile as a leading green finance vehicle for Gloucestershire’s nature recovery and climate resilience. The organisation is also working to establish a complementary charity function around access to and enhancement of local greenspace. The role will be expected to support the establishment and functions of the charity in line with the requirement of this job description.

This is an entrepreneurial opportunity with fixed-term funding. The extension of the fixed term contract may be possible with the attraction of more funding. The GNCF Assistant Director role is for an initial period of 22months and will be line managed by the GNCF CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Marketing

• Develop and deliver a comprehensive communications, PR and marketing strategy for the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund.
• Lead brand development and promotional activities to enhance awareness and reputation of GNCF across Gloucestershire and beyond.
• Identify and secure opportunities for media coverage, feature articles, awards submissions, conference presentations and speaking engagements.

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Market Engagement

• Develop targeted marketing campaigns to increase awareness and uptake of GNCF funding opportunities and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) solutions.
• Produce developer-focused promotional materials including brochures, flyers, presentations, case studies and digital content.
• Oversee the development and deployment of innovative promotional tools, including BNG visualisation materials, drone footage, photography and 3D visualisations.
• Set up tools to scrape planning portal data to proactively seek out BNG sales
• Build and maintain strong relationships with developers and industry stakeholders across Gloucestershire and neighbouring areas.

Community and Local Authority Engagement – greenspace programme

• Promote GNCF greenspace grant programmes to local authorities, parish and town councils, community groups and environmental organisations.
• Develop targeted communications campaigns to increase grant applications and community participation.
• Build productive relationships with community organisations involved in land acquisition, habitat creation and environmental improvement projects.
• Act as a key liaison point for community stakeholders and project partners.

Digital Communications and Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Design, set-up and maintain a comprehensive customer relationship management system and engagement plan covering key stakeholders
• Maintain regular engagement with key stakeholders through meetings, events, newsletters and targeted communications.
• Support customer relationship management processes and stakeholder reporting.
• Manage and continually improve the GNCF website, including content development, visual assets, user experience and creation of new pages.
• Lead digital communications activity across social media channels, with particular focus on LinkedIn.
• Monitor website and social media performance and implement continuous improvement measures.

Grant and Funding Support

• Support the promotion, administration and delivery of GNCF grant programmes.
• Liaise with technical specialists, environmental consultants and delivery partners to facilitate grant applications and project implementation.
• Coordinate contracts, administration and supporting documentation associated with grant-funded projects.
• Identify and support applications for external grant and funding opportunities to increase resources available to the Fund.
• Assist in developing funding proposals, partnership bids and investment opportunities.

Personal Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable significant experience of developing and implementing strategic communications, marketing plans, stakeholder engagement or partnership development.
• Excellent written communication skills with experience producing/running engaging social media campaigns, high-quality promotional articles and promotional content.
• Proven experience of successful project management and delivery at pace, especially those with multiple stakeholders in an innovative sector with complex deliverables
• Excellent partnership working skills, with an ability to empower and engage stakeholders to common cause
• Strong influencing skills to secure outcomes financial investment from stakeholders and partners
• Good relationship management and networking skills
• Passion and enthusiasm for the natural environment
• Strong innovative, entrepreneurial mindset – able to share examples
• A flexible mindset
• Strong attention to detail
• Experience managing websites, digital communications and social media platforms.
• Word press website editing skills
• Database collation and experience setting up and managing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems
• Accessing and searching Council planning portals, or exploring development of automated AI processes
• Use of Canva and AI to produce on-brand documents
• Proficient in Microsoft office

Desirable

• Knowledge of biodiversity, nature recovery, climate change, environmental funding and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
• Understanding of related environmental legislation
• Experience working with developers, planning professionals, local authorities or environmental consultancies.
• Experience securing grants, funding or investment partnerships.
• Understanding of community engagement and land-based environmental projects.

Key Outcomes

• Increased awareness and visibility of the Gloucestershire Nature and Climate Fund.
• Strong engagement and participation from developers and BNG stakeholders.
• Increase in BNG unit demand and sales.
• Growth in grant applications and community-led projects.
• Expanded stakeholder network and funding partnerships.
• Enhanced digital presence, media profile and sector reputation.
• Successful delivery of communications, marketing and stakeholder engagement objectives.

Additional Information

This is a 0.6 full time equivalent for an initial fixed term of 22 months. Due to the nature of the work, occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary for which time off in lieu can be given. If working for 0.4FTE elsewhere, the postholder will need to confirm there is no conflict of interest.

A contributory pension scheme with employer-matched contributions at 6% of salary is in operation and the post holder is entitled to 30 days paid leave per year pro rata, in addition to public holidays and Christmas closing period.

The role is remote working from home, with potential use of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s hotdesking facilities at Robinswood Hill, Gloucester. Ideally, you’ll be based in Gloucestershire but exceptions can be made for the right candidate. Travel around Gloucestershire will be required to meet with the GNCF Board, Local Planning Authority teams, Landowners and Developers. We are looking at opportunities with Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) to share aspects of this role.

Training in relevant areas may be provided, in agreement with line manager (GNCF CEO) and the GNCF Board.

GNCF is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds, cultures and personal characteristics.

Secondments from other organisations are encouraged.

Closing Date and interviews

23:59, 13 September 2026. Interviews will be held 23 & 24 Sept 2026. If you cannot make those dates, please state this in your application.

More information about the Gloucestershire Nature + Climate Fund can be found here: www.glosncf.com or by contacting Rachel Lenane, CEO at [email protected]