Stockton & Darlington Railway Business Development Officer

Salary: £35,243 per annum

 Based: Hybrid. Darlington and remote (home based)

Contract Period: 15 months with possibility of extension

Benefits: Pension Scheme, 25 days leave per annum plus bank holidays; sick pay, travel and subsistence

Hours: Full-time (35hrs per week, some out of hours work required,

2025 marks the 200^th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and the birth of the modern railway, an invention which changed the world. Our 2025 Festival will be a cultural highlight but together with our partners we’re already planning for the years afterwards and making the most of our internationally significant heritage.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have an exciting opportunity for a candidate with experience of project management and business development within the Heritage and Arts sector. Our ambitious project will develop our charity to take on the role of guardian of the Stockton & Darlington Railway’s heritage and to promote the line as a world class heritage attraction.

You will be instrumental in building the foundations for a long-term project that has the potential to have a major financial and social impact on the communities surrounding the line, many of which have high levels of deprivation, encouraging a sense of local pride and inspiring positive social change through heritage.

What is involved?

You will work with the trustees, a part time officer with charity management & governance experience, external consultants and other stakeholders on a transformational project to develop the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway into a sustainable organisation that can support the long-term future of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the birthplace of the modern railway, as a world class heritage site and attraction for visitors.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to ensure the financial sustainability and growth of the charity, management of key heritage building conservation and landscape development projects, partnership development, developing community links and volunteer strategy and co-ordination. Strong verbal and written communication skills will be vital as you will be working with a wide range of people from different backgrounds and will be instrumental together with our chair of trustees in promoting our work and project to a wide range of audiences.

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• Experienced in business development within the heritage, arts or community sectors
• Have previous experience working with heritage buildings or sites
• Understand heritage conservation practices and can apply these to guide project activities
• Have prior experience working and reporting on NLHF funded projects
• Strong organisational abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Have a passion for heritage conservation and community
• Are inspirational and motivational
• Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances

A full job description and person specification can be downloaded below, Please contact our Secretary with  any questions at secretary@sdr1825.org.uk. Applications are by covering letter and CV to chair@sdr1825.org.uk , the closing date is midnight on 7^th February 2025. Applications will be shortlisted w/c 10^th February and interviews will be taking place w/c 24^th February. Further information on the FSDR can be found at our website sdr1825.org.uk

Job Description & Person Specification – Business Development Officer