Project Manager External Funding

Forestry England; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension Scheme

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Free parking at Forestry England sites

Career development support

Job summary

Forestry England is seeking a Project Manager External Funding to join our National Operations team. The role focuses on developing and implementing a strategic approach to funding Forestry England's Biodiversity Programme, identifying grant opportunities and mapping the external funding landscape to diversify our portfolio.

You will work with colleagues across Forestry England to build partnerships, assess funding needs, and shape a blended public-private funding model that supports our

Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising and securing grants.
• Ability to identify and map external funding opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and networking skills.
• Capacity to develop strategic funding plans for biodiversity projects.

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess future grant funding opportunities.
• Map the external funding landscape and align with Biodiversity Programme needs.
• Help shape a blended public-private funding model and build partnerships.
• Prepare and present funding strategy to senior stakeholders.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Grant development

Job description

Job Reference forestryengland/TP/1744/748

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Fixed Term Appointment

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Any Forestry England office, blended working is a possibility

Closing Date:

21/09/2026

Job Category:

Operations

Region:

National

Business Unit:

National Operations

Job Introduction

We are Forestry England.

We live and breathe forests.

Job title – Project Manager External Funding

Salary – £40,388 per annum

Contract type - Fixed term appointment until 31st March 2029 with the possibility of extension or permanency

Vacancy closes - 21st September, 23:58

Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment.

Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We're providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber .

What you’ll do…

We are looking for an experienced fundraiser to join our Nature Recovery Programme Team to help develop and implement a strategic approach to future investment and funding of Forestry England's Biodiversity Plan.

The role will focus on identifying and assessing future grant funding opportunities, mapping the external funding landscape, aligning current with emerging funding mechanisms, and helping shape a transition from reliance on the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) funding towards a more diverse and resilient portfolio of investment.

You will work closely with colleagues across Forestry England to better understand the potential for a blended public-private funding model, the role will help build strategic partnerships, and secure funding that supports the long-term ambitions of the Biodiversity Programme.

The Project Manager will report to the External Funding Lead.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work…

You will be working for the National Team with occasional travel to Bristol Head Office and multiple forest locations. The role can be based in a local Forestry England office with flexibility for blended working. Travel across England may be required with occasional overnight stays necessary.

Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

• 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
• STaRis our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
• free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
• a commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

“If candidates pass the interview but are not the leading candidate they can be placed on a reserve list. We may offer candidates on the reserve list for this role the opportunity to be considered for other roles at the same or lower pay bands.”

You will also be assessed on Experience based questions and the Technical Success Profile at the interview.

The technical element includes a presentation. Candidates who are short listed for interview will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation to deliver to the interview panel. Your presentation must outline how, if successful in securing this role, you would approach the following:

• Assessing the current funding position and identifying future funding needs.
• Mapping and prioritising potential external funding and investment opportunities.
• The criteria you would use to determine which opportunities Forestry England should pursue.
• Engaging stakeholders to build support for your proposed approach.

Working for the Civil Service…

Forestry England is part of the Civil Service . The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.

Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English.

Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: [e-mail] .

“This role is funded by DEFRA rather than through Forestry England generated revenue, and is therefore subject to government spending reviews. While DEFRA has indicated long term support for the Biodiversity Programme and we expect funding to continue, it is possible that funding levels may change at the end of any financial year depending on DEFRA’s budget allocations. In the event of funding changes, we would prioritise retaining staff posts wherever possible. This approach is consistent for roles within publicly funded organisations. We are committed to keeping staff informed and supported through any changes.”