Project Development Manager - Big Chalk in the South Downs

Position: Project Development Manager – Big Chalk in the South Downs
Location: South Downs Centre, Midhurst (Hybrid Working)
Closing Date: 4 January 2026
Interview Date: 21 January 2026
Salary: £42,530 to £46,860
Hours: 37 hours per week
Type of post: Fixed Term (18 months)

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 30x30 as well as the benefits and services which come from having natural capital assets in good condition.

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Project Development Manager to lead the development of a funding bid to the new National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF) Landscape Connections Fund.

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 apply via the button shown 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 on our website.

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)
• Local government pension scheme
• 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 a Health and Wellbeing portal and webinars
• 27 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 days, plus bank holidays
• Professional development support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car sharing
• Use of pool cars
• Regular staff events/activities, which support the SDNPA’s Purposes and Duty