Development Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 13, 2026. First seen by Alion on Nov 13, 2026.
About Us
Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation's canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland's resilience in tackling climate change.
Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team - we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities and services, from boating and mooring, paddling, walking and wheeling, to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities. We also work collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland.
As an employer, we offer a truly unique opportunity to join our team, help us realise our vision, and play a vital role in safeguarding Scotland's canal heritage while shaping its future.
The Placemaking Team plays a key role in transforming canalside locations into vibrant, sustainable and accessible destinations that create lasting benefits for local communities. Through investment in infrastructure, public realm improvements and destination development, we work to strengthen connections between people and place while enhancing the environmental, social and economic value of Scotland's canal network.
The Development Manager is central to delivering this ambition. Working across a varied portfolio of capital projects, you will lead projects from inception through to completion, bringing together partners, funders, consultants and contractors to create places that are well-designed, sustainable and accessible. You will help secure investment, build strong partnerships and identify opportunities that support Scottish Canals' long-term placemaking ambitions and wider Corporate Plan priorities.
About the Role
We currently have a fantastic opportunity for a Development Manager on a 15 month fixed term basis to join our Placemaking Team. We're looking for an enthusiastic, proactive and experienced project professional who can successfully lead the delivery of development and infrastructure projects across Scotland's canal network.
You'll be responsible for managing projects through the full development lifecycle, from feasibility and masterplanning through to procurement, construction delivery and handover. Working with multidisciplinary design teams, contractors, local authority partners, funders and community stakeholders, you'll ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with agreed budgets, governance requirements and timescales
This is an exciting opportunity to make a tangible impact across Scotland's canal network, improving accessibility, connectivity and recreational opportunities while helping communities benefit from investment in their local environment. You'll also play a key role in developing partnerships and identifying funding opportunities that enable Scottish Canals to deliver ambitious placemaking projects and maximise public benefit.
The role is offered on a 15 month Fixed Term basis, working Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week (with some flexibility as required).
Primary Responsibilities of the Role
- Manage multidisciplinary design teams and contractors to deliver development projects from inception through to completion, ensuring delivery within agreed timescales and budgets
- Lead projects through Scottish Canals' governance framework, managing gateway reviews and reporting on project progress, risks and outcomes
- Initiate and project manage a variety of development projects, including master planning, design, procurement, construction delivery and handover
- Build and maintain effective relationships with project stakeholders, ensuring clear communication throughout the project lifecycle
- Manage project budgets and provide robust financial reporting across projects with multiple funding sources
- Represent Scottish Canals professionally at meetings, consultations and stakeholder engagement events
- Build and nurture partnerships with local authorities, community organisations, funders and other stakeholders to support canal infrastructure and destination development
- Identify and pursue funding opportunities, partnerships and investment that support Scottish Canals' placemaking ambitions
- Contribute to projects that improve accessibility, connectivity and facilities along towpaths and inland waterways
- Develop innovative solutions that encourage greater use of Scotland's blue and green spaces and improve community wellbeing
About the Reward
We offer a progressive starting salary of £57,537 (Band G).
In addition, Scottish Canals offers an excellent benefits package including:
- 32 days' annual leave, plus six public holidays
- Up to 10% employer pension contribution
- Enhanced sick pay
- Health Cash Plan
- Employee discounts and wellbeing benefits
About You
Qualifications and Knowledge Required:
- Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience
- Associate or Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. RIAS, RICS) is desirable
- Full UK Driving Licence
- Formal project management qualification is desirable
- Good knowledge of public sector procurement regulations and frameworks
- Strong understanding of project and programme risk management principles
- Knowledge of conservation principles within heritage environments would be beneficial
- Understanding of placemaking principles and the value of green and blue spaces in supporting health, wellbeing and wider socio-economic benefits
- Knowledge of health and safety requirements within a construction environment would be advantageous
Skills and Experience Required:
- Significant experience managing construction or development projects within the built environment
- Knowledge and management of NEC4 contracts
- Proven ability to manage projects from inception through to handover
- Experience managing contractors, consultants, developers and multidisciplinary design teams
- Strong budget management and financial reporting skills
- Excellent organisational skills with strong attention to detail
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build support at all levels
- Ability to think creatively, identify innovative solutions and bring partners together around a common vision
- Experience of securing funding, developing partnerships and managing externally funded projects would be advantageous
- Experience preparing and presenting reports to Boards or governance committees would be beneficial
Qualities & Abilities Required:
- Ability to build effective relationships that generate confidence, respect and collaborative working
- Highly focused on service delivery and customer satisfaction
- Leads by example in demonstrating our values of We Care, We Create and We Collaborate, encouraging colleagues and partners to embrace these behaviours in their work
Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.