Grants and Project Development Manager

The Grants and Project Development Manager, plays a vital role in helping us deliver both our essential core work and our most exciting, forward-thinking projects. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and managing the Trusts Officer, the Grants and Project Development Manager sits at the heart of our income generation strategy—securing high-value grants.

This exciting and creative role will lead on the development, writing and coordination of compelling funding bids, whilst working closely with teams across the organisation to shape projects that are fundable, impactful, and aligned with our strategic goals.

Grants and Project Development Manager
Salary: (Banding Level 3) £34,000 - £39,000
Contract type: Permanent
Working hours: Full time (the Trust will consider 4 days)
Location: Taunton, Somerset (Hybrid working available)

As Grants and Project Development Manager, you’ll play a vital role in helping us deliver both our essential core work and our most exciting, forward-thinking projects. Reporting to the Head of Fundraising and leading our Trusts Officer, this role sits at the heart of our income generation strategy—securing high-value grants (typically £25,000+) from statutory bodies, Lottery funds, and major Trusts and Foundations.

You’ll lead on the development, writing and coordination of compelling funding bids, working closely with teams across the organisation to shape projects that are fundable, impactful, and aligned with our strategic goals. From identifying new opportunities to building strong relationships with key funders, you’ll be instrumental in helping us grow our income and increase our impact for nature.

This is a role that offers both creativity and structure, relationship-building and strategic thinking—perfect for someone who thrives on making things happen and wants their work to really matter. This is a hybrid role with the need to be based in our Taunton Office on a regular basis. It offers the chance to help shape a wilder, healthier Somerset for future generations.

Job Description – Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Responsibility 1: Income generation

1. Achieve an agreed annual high value grant income target to support the Trust’s strategy and business plan.
2. Write and co-ordinate high-quality high value grant applications ensuring deadlines are met and all internal contributors are clear as to their role.
3. Work with the fundraising team leads and head of fundraising to strategically plan funding needs for approved projects.
4. Ensure that match funding needs resulting from grant applications are identified, communicated early and integrated into wider fundraising planning.
5. Ensure all applications (whether successful or not) are recorded on the Trust database.
6. Use grant applications to support BAU income generation where appropriate/possible.
7. Line manage the Grants Officer.

Responsibility 2: Project Development

1. Support cross organisational bids and project development, working with colleagues and partners to develop new project concepts and support the writing of applications and reports.
2. Develop detailed and accurate budgets for projects and funding applications, and which support contributions of Core funding and aligning with the Trust’s financial processes and reporting.
3. Work with the Head of Fundraising to assess and write updates on project funding milestones and income pipelines for the Programme Management board (PMB)
4. Maintain an up-to-date overview of project funding (current and planned) and track funding opportunities and match with the Trust’s project priorities.
5. Work with fundraising managers within the team to create strategic, cross income stream, funding plans to help support organisational projects.

Responsibility 3: Develop Relationships with Grant Giving Bodies

1. Research and identify new grant giving bodies that could help support projects and core work .
2. Develop and maintain excellent relationships with potential and existing major funders to deepen their involvement with and support for the Trust, in co-ordination with the Grants Officer.
3. Keep abreast of grant fundraising trends in the UK conservation and fundraising sector and follow new funding developments such as innovative finance mechanisms that can be applied to the Trust’s work, including through networking and researching funding opportunities.

We offer fantastic benefits of working for the Somerset Wildlife Trust including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life insurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Program
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays)
• Staff social calendar and events

The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities, and the climate

Closing date: Sunday 11 May 2025

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Somerset Wildlife Trust have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and are committed to continuing to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion of every aspect of our work; we know we need to engage with everyone to live our values and achieve our goals. We welcome applications from everyone and are happy to discuss any accommodations or arrangements that would make the recruitment process better for you, and the working environment should you be employed.

No agencies please.