Bid Development Manager

Globally and nationally wildlife is in steep decline. We appear to be reaching critical tipping points around the loss of biodiversity as well as around climate change, both being interlinked. Human society cannot prosper without wildlife and healthy ecosystems.

Kent’s wildlife needs to be restored to much higher levels. We can no longer allow common things to become rare. We can only do this by restoring large-scale natural habitat areas and processes. Doing this will contribute to solving global problems. But we won’t be able to do this unless we publicly aspire to a higher level of impact and show that we can deliver this.

The Job:

The role will involve working collaboratively across the organisation, to facilitate engagement, strong relationships and effective working between fundraising and other teams whilst supporting the alignment of KWT’s operational priorities with donor opportunities which will allow us to turn our organisational vision into reality.

You will work as part of Kent Wildlife Trust’s Fundraising team to build on the Trust’s existing success of winning grant income for a range of exciting and groundbreaking projects and activities (such as the Wilder Blean Bison Project). You will be expected to build on this success by adopting a proactive and strategic approach to the range of projects and activities KWT have planned as part of their strategy seeking funding in excess of 6 figures. You will achieve ambitious targets that will enable Kent Wildlife Trust to realise its goal of creating a wilder Kent. You will research and identify funding opportunities that meet organisational priorities. Key priorities will be;

• Set up and refine effective systems and processes to best enable the development of compelling high value propositions in a timely way including a priority pipeline of grant applications/bids
• Work closely and effectively with Kent Wildlife Trust staff to develop project concepts into fundable applications
• Develop new funding sources for both project and core income
• Compile and maintain detailed and accurate records of donations, contact details and contact history and ensure integration into Kent Wildlife Trust CRM system
• Produce reports on performance of content both online and in print
• Provide required reports and updates to funders
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Major Funders by organising and attending regular meetings and site visits

You: 

Reporting into our new Head of Grants and Partnership development you will be an integral part of Kent Wildlife Trust’s new Income Generation and Marketing team. As an inspiring and passionate senior fundraiser with substantial experience you will lead on the facilitation and development of funding propositions and bids for high value strategic opportunities £200k+. You will have an understanding and passion for Nature based solutions to climate change, a background in writing pitches, briefs and bids.  Understand the grantmaking sector for both statutory and Trust & Foundations grants. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate and promote the work of Kent Wildlife Trust and its varied projects.   You will have an organised and strategic approach to your role and be flexible enough to react to incoming opportunities when they arise.

Visit our website to see the range of our activities – www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Kent Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife charity for Kent and Medway, supported by its members and staffed by committed professionals.  Join our team and help us create a Wilder Kent! In return we will inspire you, listen to you, value you, treat you equally and fairly, look after your health and wellbeing and encourage flexibility from day one, enabling you to draw on these benefits to be a better, happier and more productive you.

Contact details:

For an application pack please visit our website: https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/jobs/bid-development-manager

The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better.  

It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!