Chesterfield Canal Development Manager

Published: Wednesday, 09 January 2019

THE Chesterfield Canal Trust is seeking a development manager.

This is a significant opportunity for an individual with proven experience of shaping and managing a complex set of restoration projects relying primarily on grant funding.

Clear objective

This appointment is a significant step-change for our Trust, writes Rod Auton. We have a clear objective to drive to completion the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal. The Trust has a long history as a body campaigning for the full 46 miles of the canal, and with our partners we have had significant successes.

More recently our progress with the unrestored nine miles has been blighted by HS2 indecision. However technical and political decisions have now been made, and hence we now need to establish plans, funds, and delivery of the canal restoration works.

Responsibility

The Development Manager will be responsible in the first instance to the Trustees for:

♦ Scoping the major work projects within the overall ‘2027 Programme’ to ensure maximum potential to achieve funding for the scope of each project

Advising on any necessary reshaping of the CCT and our interfaces with partner organisations to achieve the objectives

Enabling appropriate funding to complete the programme

Establishing an ownership and economic model supported by all stakeholders and partners to ensure long-term sustainability of the fully-restored canal

Engaging with key stakeholders, sponsors, and delivery organisations

Engaging with all supporting organisations and groups as applicable.

Hands-on

We seek a candidate who is hands-on, self-starting, and can work by themselves across a range of topics, who is skillful in analysis and solutioning, organising and structuring. The candidate will also need to know how and when to call upon relevant specialisms and expertise within stakeholders and, where necessary, engage external specialists .

The candidate will also need to work and succeed in a complex environment with a large volunteer
component, private-sector commercial organisations, public sector authorities, and diverse donor organisations.

A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to overcome barriers and show innovation and determination to achieve successful outcomes in complex and often unstructured circumstances.

Rother Valley Link

A major part of the local and national benefit of the restoration of the canal and the Rother Valley Link is economic regeneration across a significant area.

Knowledge and experience of economic regeneration concepts and approaches is desirable.

The appointment will be for an initial fixed period to establish the frameworks and plans for success; followed by a further contract if mutually acceptable to ​manage the overall funding and implementation programme to realise the objectives of the Trust.

Location: Staveley, Northeast Derbyshire.

Salary: £35,004 per annum (full-time). Duration: initial 23-month contract, with potential to renew.

Application by email

Applications by email, enclosing a CV and covering letter, sent to:

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Please ensure that in your application you include reference to:

1. Project planning delivery and management

2. Leadership in complex situations including public, private, and
voluntary sectors

3. Experience of fundraising for substantial capital and revenue projects
Closing date for applications is Friday 8th February 2019.

All applications will be acknowledged and shortlisted candidates called for
interview week commencing 18th February 2019. References will be sought
before an appointment is made.