Business Development Manager

Job Title:      Business Development Manager - Part-time 21 hrs per week (circa £32,000 FTE).

Reports to:   Executive Director

Purpose:       To help secure the long-term sustainability of Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) by identifying and securing new business and funding opportunities consistent with the organisation’s strategy.

Dimensions: i) County of Essex, with the potential for some regional and national engagement.

                         ii) Engagement with local authorities, public bodies, grant making trusts and businesses.

                      iii) Engagement with voluntary/community sector and rural sector organisations.                            

Principal Accountabilities:

• To have a full understanding of all aspects of RCCE’s work in order to identify and develop appropriate business opportunities.
• To identify opportunities for business development through new funding streams, partnership and commissioning opportunities and benefits of RCCE membership.
• To lead on the preparation and management of all funding bids, tenders and business proposals engaging with other managers and specialist staff as necessary.
• To identify opportunities for income generation through new uses of RCCE’s office premises.
• To work with the Executive Director and management team to develop the organisation’s funding strategy and build strong and sustainable relationships with funding bodies.

Secondary Accountabilities:

• To maintain a database of funding bids and opportunities.
• To have an understanding of other existing income generation streams additional to grants, contracts and membership.
• To identify any other potential income streams that align with RCCE’s mission and strategy.

Other Duties:

Undertake any other duties, within the scope of existing knowledge, skills and abilities as may be required by the Line Manager.

Measures of Success:

• The volume of additional funding secured.
• The number of additional funding bids, tenders etc. submitted.
• The pipeline of funding opportunities created. New relationships developed with funding bodies including grant making trusts.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Proven experience and success in grant applications and fundraising.
• Excellent communication skills, including an ability to write large-scale funding bids.
• Experience in developing and managing relationships with funders.
• Experience of project development and budgets.
• Experience of databases and data management.
• An enthusiastic team player able to work collaboratively with others.
• Self-motivated and able to manage priorities, time and workload and to work with limited supervision.

Desirable

• Experience and understanding of the charity sector.
• An interest in and some knowledge of rural communities.

Other

• A Driving Licence and access to a car for business travel is essential.
• A willingness to work flexibly, including occasional evening meetings, is essential.