Development Manager - Land Acquisitions

Reports To: Head of Business Development
Salary: £38,000-42,000 (DoE)
Terms: Permanent 36 hours p/w
Location: Home based with travel to sites weighted in South of England

Purpose of the role

Positioned within the Business Development Team this new role will lead the growth of endowment-funded sites (primarily SANG), support Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) initiatives, and explore new nature-based business opportunities nationwide. You’ll manage acquisitions through legal completion and work closely with colleagues, stakeholders, and consultants to deliver on the Trust’s charitable objectives: health, education, environment, community, and economic vitality.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead acquisition and development of new endowment and service charge sites.
• Support Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects and other environmental initiatives.
• Negotiate agreements and oversee due diligence for new projects.
• Build partnerships and identify opportunities to deliver the Trust’s charitable objectives.
• Represent the Trust regionally and promote sustainable community development

For more information about the Land Trust and a full job description, please access our vacancies page.

Essential skills

• Degree or relevant professional qualification.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience delivering environmental projects and/or land acquisition.
• Strong budgeting and project delivery reporting skills.
• Knowledge of SANG and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
• Proven ability to build partnerships across public, private, and third sectors.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• IT proficiency (MS Office) and ability to work independently and under pressure with tact and confidentiality.

Other relevant information

This position requires the post holder to act flexibly and undertake other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the post as directed by the Head of Business Development. Infrequent evening and weekend working may be required, and the post holder will be required to travel as necessary to fulfil their role effectively. Post holder would be able to take Time Off In Lieu and/or make use of the Trust’s Flexi Policy for working above contractual work hours.

Salary & benefits

• £38,000 - £42,000 depending on experience
• A salary sacrifice pension scheme, with LT matching employee contributions up to 6%
• Flexi time
• 26.5 days holiday per year, plus bank holidays (pro rata). Rising to 31.5 days with service
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health Care Cash back scheme (Medicash)
• Training and Development support
• Enhanced Family Friendly Policies
• Business travel costs will be reimbursed
• Annual performance incentive plan (non-contractual)

Closing date for applications is 23 January 2026 although we may close this earlier if we receive a high volume of applications.

1st stage interviews will take place on 30 January 2026 via MS Teams

2nd stage interviews will take place on 5 Feb 2026 either in person or face to face

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please note we are not accepting applicants via recruitment agencies.

If you would like any other information or wish to talk through the role in more detail, please email [email protected]

LT is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

The Land Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who has contact with its services and colleagues.

Rehabilitation of offenders

• We require all applicants for employment to declare any conviction(s) or charge(s) still outstanding against them in respect of a criminal offence, subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
• The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 enables some criminal convictions to become ‘spent’ or forgotten after a rehabilitation period. A rehabilitation period is a set length of time from the date of conviction. This means that if a certain period of time has passed since the date on which you were convicted, the conviction becomes spent and you are not normally obliged to declare the conviction when applying for a job.
• If you inadvertently disclose a conviction which is regarded as spent, it will be ignored unless you are applying for employment which is not protected by the Act. Failure to declare a conviction may disqualify you from an appointment or result in the termination of your contract of employment