Project Development Manager – Scotland’s Rainforest

ABOUT US

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world
where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to
make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and
create our vital woods and trees.

THE ROLE

The Project Development Manager role is part of The Building Capacity Project funded by the
National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), which seeks to develop the skills and capacity of
communities on the west coast of Scotland to deliver the aims of the Alliance for Scotland’s
Rainforest i.e. protect and restore Scotland’s globally important temperate rainforest. The
Woodland Trust has secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for this
project’s initial two-year ‘development’ phase.

The Project Development Manager will lead the development work, coordinating project partners
to ensure the timely development of plans for the delivery and for the stage 2 funding bid to
NLHF. They will oversee delivery of specific activities ensuring targets and timelines are
adhered to and the prudent financial management of the development phase budget. They’ll
produce reports and feedback to funders and the project board and steering group regarding
progress as well as identifying opportunities to share best practice to maximise opportunities.

This is an 18 month fixed term position. Should our funding bid for the subsequent five-year
‘delivery’ phase be successful, we hope the PDM will remain in post to support the delivery of
these plans.

THE CANDIDATE

You’ll have experience in project development, leadership and delivery in the
environment, conservation or heritage sector including experience in managing contractors and
consultants. You’ll have the ability to monitor, evaluate and learn from the project progress,
using your excellent communication skills to report back to the funders and project board. 

You will have experience building meaningful working relationships with a range of key
stakeholders, engaging effectively with them to be involved and inspired by our work and
ensuring maximised potential impact of the project. You will have a collaborative approach with
experience of working with partners and multiple teams and organisations for a shared purpose.

You’ll be self-motivated and flexible having the ability to manage and organise a diverse
workload.

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the
Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role
model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Make it Count’ and ‘Explore’ to ensure each of us
plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

A full UK driving licence to undertake travel across the west coast is required and ideally
access to your own vehicle

WHAT TO EXPECT BY JOINING A TEAM AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

There’s no other organisation like the Woodland Trust. Joining the team you will be making your
contribution to tackling the nature and climate crisis. In return, we recognise and value our
people. You’ll have our full support, training and opportunities for professional development,
along with a contributory pension, life assurance, good holiday allowance and the opportunity
to work flexibly from home. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION 

At the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and represent the full richness of diversity in the
UK. Fewer of our employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; from lower
socio-economic backgrounds or under 25; so we are particularly keen to receive your application
if you are from one or more of these groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to
achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on
your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else.

To ensure anonymised recruitment, if you have uploaded your CV, shortlisting panels do
not see your CV until shortlisting has been completed. Before submitting your
application, please ensure you have completed the supporting information section with details
of experiences that clearly evidence as many aspects of the job description as possible.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of
suitable applications. If you are interested, we’d encourage you to submit your application as
early as possible.