Charity: Chiltern's Society
Title: Development Manager
Salary: Up to £40,000
Location: Hybrid/2 days from Chesham office
Hours: Full time (PT 28hrs a week considered)
About the role
This is an exciting new role at the heart of our growth plans. As Development Manager you’ll help shape, fund and deliver major projects that protect and enhance the Chilterns’ natural beauty, heritage and access for future generations.
This is more than a fundraising role—it’s about bringing ideas to life. Supported by an established team, you’ll work across our four delivery areas – Conservation, Access (Rights of Way), Heritage & Culture and Planning – turning ideas into well-designed, fundable projects.
You’ll secure income from grants, partnerships, corporate sponsors and philanthropists, and support delivery with clear budgets, milestones and impact reporting.
We’re looking for a dynamic, self-starter with a strong track record in helping to develop projects with funding in mind, securing diverse income streams, and tracking budgets and milestones to effectively report. You will work with our experts to help shape a project, using your significant experience on securing philanthropic income, to craft successful bids and pitches and support the project lead with your knowledge of funders’ budget, impact tracking and KPI requirements.
If you are driven by purpose and process, targets, and results; are
confident navigating both the public and private sectors; and passionate about
conserving the landscape, this is your chance to make a real and lasting difference.
Role responsibilities to include:
* Working together with work-stream leads and the senior management team to develop fundable, impactful projects supporting the Chiltern Society’s four delivery areas: Conservation, Access (Rights of Way), Heritage & Culture, and Planning.
* Establish simple, consistent project management standards and processes to assist with funding bids, and ensure these are adhered to for project development across the Chiltern Society (eg standardised project timeline and budgets templates, milestones tracking, KPIs monitoring, etc).
* Work with work-stream leads and the senior management team to identify, cultivate and manage relationships with project partners, donors, corporate sponsors, trusts, and foundations.
* Prioritise collaborative and productive working relationships with work-stream leads and the senior management team to draw out and develop fundable project ideas. Working together to shape and develop ideas that not only have impact for the Chilterns but also appeal to funders.
Person specification to include:
* Proven success in turning ideas into fully funded projects that deliver real impact.
* Strong track record of securing income from a diverse mix of philanthropic sources — from major grants and trusts to corporate partnerships and high-value donors.
* Exceptional bid-writing skills: able to craft persuasive, high-quality proposals and pitches that inspire confidence in funders.
* Experienced in cultivating partnerships and collaborations that amplify reach and resources.
* Adept at aligning projects with wider organisational campaigns to maximise visibility, supporter engagement, and wider income opportunities.
* A dynamic self-starter, energised by challenge and motivated by results.
* Purpose-driven, with a genuine passion for protecting nature, heritage, and landscapes for future generations.
* A creative storyteller, able to bring projects to life through compelling narratives that win hearts, minds, and funding.
* Collaborative and influential — a natural relationship-builder who can bring diverse stakeholders on board.
* Strategic and entrepreneurial, always spotting opportunities and shaping ideas to match funder ambitions.
Deadline for applications: 30th October
For a copy of the job pack please apply via this site.