Nature Ridge Project Development Manager
North Wessex Downs National Landscape
Salary: £39,862 - £41,771 per annum
Hours per week: 37 hours
Fixed term: Until October 2027
Interview date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Do you want to help two iconic chalk National Landscapes and a National Trail adapt in the face of climate change? We are seeking an experienced Development Manager to lead our Nature Ridge Landscape Connections project at its formative stage. Working closely with partners and a wide range of stakeholders, you will shape the programme, identify opportunities, assemble and submit a strong Development Application.
Nature Ridge Landscape Connections project (NRLC) is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) through the Landscape Connections programme. This aims to put landscapes into recovery supporting habitats and species alongside rich cultural heritage in better connected, working landscapes and to enable people to connect with nature and the environment. This development work will align with NLHF priorities and support the North Wessex Downs and Chilterns’ Nature Recovery Plans, National Landscape Management Plans, emerging Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plans, and County Local Nature Recovery Strategies.
This is a rewarding role for a creative, innovative person with excellent people skills, strong landscape and habitat knowledge, and proven experience guiding teams to define development needs and secure funding. You will be self-motivated, highly organised, and confident working in partnership across conservation, landscape, or land management sectors, ideally with local knowledge of these landscapes, their wildlife, heritage and communities. You will be an outstanding communicator, able to build trusted relationships with farmers, land managers and conservation bodies. Experience of developing and managing Lottery and/or Defra-funded projects is desirable. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Find out more about Our Identity, staff networks, and employee benefits here.
Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.
We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.
Contact details
Corinna Woodhall, Senior Project Development and Funding Officer at [email protected]
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About North Wessex Downs National Landscape
The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is a designated protected landscape. It straddles the boundaries of Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire and covers 173 parishes and it is the third largest National Landscape in the country covering an area of 668 square miles (1,730 square kilometres). It received its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1972.
Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs is the responsibility of nine local authorities within the four counties. They come together with community, farming, conservation, tourism and heritage representatives to make up a governing Council of Partners, which is supported by a small professional team.
Our work involves collaborating with a network of organisations, businesses, farmers, landowners and local communities. Together, we run and are involved with, a range of projects and initiatives to conserve and enhance the landscape – its natural environment, its heritage, and its culture – while keeping in mind the needs of local communities and businesses.
The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is a designated protected landscape. It straddles the boundaries of Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire and covers 173 parishes and it is the third largest National Landscape in the country covering an area of 668 square miles (1,730 square kilometres). It received its designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1972. Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs is the responsibility of nine local authorities within the four counties. They come together with community, farming, conservation, tourism and heritage representatives to make up a governing Council of Partners, which is supported by a small professional team. Our work involves collaborating with a network of organisations, businesses, farmers, landowners and local communities. Together, we run and are involved with, a range of projects and initiatives to conserve and enhance the landscape – its natural environment, its heritage, and its culture – while keeping in mind the needs of local communities and businesses.
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