Lesmahagow Development Trust is entering a landmark three-year period of growth. Supported by the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme, we are moving beyond traditional grant-funded delivery toward a model of long-term economic independence and community-led infrastructure.

We are seeking a visionary Community Economic Development Lead to architect the long-term growth of Lesmahagow. You will act as a strategic catalyst, transforming community aspirations into a robust economic development plan and securing the high-level investment required to deliver ambitious, large-scale infrastructure and resilience projects.

You will lead the creation of a Community Economic Development Plan, identifying high-impact capital projects and bringing them to life.

Key Deliverables:

• Strategy development: author and drive the "Lesmahagow Economic Development Plan," identifying high-impact opportunities for promoting economic growth and participation in the local area, or to promote community wealth building.
• Project management: lead the "options appraisal" and feasibility stages for ambitious community economic projects.
• Stakeholder engagement: act as the primary interface between the Trust and regional/national bodies and facilitate high-level community and business engagement to ensure that development projects reflect local needs and enjoy broad public support.
• Impact monitoring: establish frameworks to measure the social and economic step-change achieved through Trust activities, providing data for the Board and SCP funders.

Essential Criteria:

• Strategic leadership: proven experience in designing or leading local economic development, regeneration, or community planning initiatives.
• Project catalysis: a track record of taking complex projects from initial concept through to business case or funding-ready status.
• Political & professional acumen: experience in managing partnerships across the public and private sectors, with the ability to influence decision-makers.
• Autonomy: ability to work with minimal supervision, setting one's own milestones and providing high-level strategic advice to the Board of Trustees.
• Advanced communication: exceptional ability to translate complex strategic goals into compelling narratives for grant applications and public consultations.

Desirable Criteria:

• Regional knowledge: existing networks within the South Lanarkshire economic landscape or the Scottish Third Sector.
• Capital funding expertise: success in securing significant capital grants (e.g., Scottish Land Fund, RCGF).
• Data literacy: proficiency in interpreting socio-economic data to justify strategic interventions.

Lesmahagow Development Trust is entering a landmark three-year period of growth. Supported by the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme, we are moving beyond traditional grant-funded delivery toward a model of long-term economic independence and community-led infrastructure.

We are seeking a commercially-minded Business Manager to drive the financial evolution of the Trust. You will treat our community assets as a portfolio, identifying new revenue streams and operational efficiencies to ensure our long-term independence from grant funding.

You will be responsible for transitioning the trust away from grant dependency by optimising our assets and building a resilient, sustainable income model.

Key Deliverables:

• Commercial sustainability: identifying and developing business models that generate a sustainable commercial surplus to reduce grant dependency.
• Financial management & reporting: maintaining the Trust’s day-to-day financial records, managing cash flow, and producing internal quarterly reports to ensure the Trust remains within budget.
• Asset & operations oversight: strategic management of physical and financial assets to ensure they are performing optimally for the community.
• Grant compliance: ensuring all financial reporting for the Strengthening Communities Programme is accurate and submitted on time to trigger quarterly payments.

Essential Criteria:

• Commercial experience: proven track record in business management, commercial development, or social enterprise leadership.
• Financial literacy: competency in day-to-day financial management
• Reporting skills: ability to prepare clear financial summaries, reconciliations, and budget-versus-actual reports for Board review.
• Operational management: experience in overseeing contracts, leases, or facilities to ensure cost-efficiency and compliance.
• Strategic planning: ability to translate the Trust’s goals into viable business cases that generate income.

Desirable Criteria:

• Governance knowledge: understanding of charity finance regulations.
• Accountancy systems: experience in the use of cloud accounting software (e.g. Xero) and spreadsheet modeling.