Advertised from 15 May 2026

Role

Heritage Project Manager & Fundraiser Parish of Dunkeld: Restoration of 13th Century choir of Dunkeld Cathedral

Background: Restoring an iconic 13th century historic building

The Parish of Dunkeld is undertaking an exciting restoration of the 13th century part of the building still used by the congregation, “the choir”. To make the Choir of the Cathedral a building fit for purpose and preserve it for future generations, we need to do a wide-ranging programme of work both internally and externally.

This once in a hundred-year project will enable the cathedral to be accessed safely and used year-round by the congregation and the community for generations to come.

In addition, it will allow for increased and improved interpretation of the history and heritage of the building providing a better experience for visitors. We consider improved interpretation of our building as key to its long-term future and sustainability, and improvements in this will determine the success of the project.  

We plan to make a formal delivery phase application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) in 2026 and seek support from an experienced heritage project manager, who has fundraising experience to help us with this application, working with our Design Team of consultants, led by Oberlanders Architects with Alan Marshall, including Narro Associates, Irons Foulner and Morham & Brotchie and our Visitor Engagement Consultants, Community Enterprise.

Purpose of the role

This role will be responsible for project managing and overseeing the initial phase of the restoration project (relationships with the project team, Kirk Session, Design team, visitor engagement consultants, key funders) with the joint aims of 

• preparing the delivery phase application to the NLHF, and

• seeking sufficient matched funding to enable a delivery phase application to the NLHF in 2026

Our key challenge at this stage of the project is to find sufficient matched funding before our Heritage Fund application and before we receive Heritage Fund Delivery Stage permission to start.

This is a £4.2m project with a 9–12-month development phase followed by a two-year delivery phase (subject to securing further funding). We have secured initial funding for the development phase from National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and support from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) towards the delivery phase. The development stage of the project will run from April 2026 until submission of the Delivery Phase application. We are aiming to submit this application by 12 Nov 2026. The delivery stage will run from the date when permission to start is received from a successful NLHF delivery phase bid. We estimate that this will be around June 2027.

As a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project, delivering the matched funding element of this project is key to successfully completing the Development Phase and releasing the funding required for the Delivery Phase.

You will map progress against the initial aims of the project, co-ordinate consultants, seek funding opportunities and work with the volunteer team to draft and make appropriate and timely applications. 

The successful candidate will also be expected to manage the day-to-day administration of the project, making sure deadlines are met, grant applications are made, reports submitted on time and grant claims are made

We estimate that 1-2 days per week will be required for this work, varying around milestones and key deadlines.

Application notes

Full Tender details can be downloaded below.

Contact details and questions should be sent to: treasurer@dunkeldcathedral.org

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