Scottish Women's Institutes
Scottish Women's Institutes

Charity registered in Scotland SC053058

Scottish Women’s Institutes is Scotland’s leading member based organisation created by women in 1917, designed to bring women together, with a vision to welcome every woman in Scotland to join us. We are here to educate, to share, to campaign, to learn, to socialise, to build a community and of course, to have fun. From life skills and arts and crafts to raising awareness of current affairs affecting women and helping inform government issues, the SWI is proud of its heritage and our future vision.

Current vacancies

Business Development Lead

  • Full time
  • £40,000
  • On site: Edinburgh
  • Closing 2nd October 2026

Help us turn 110 years of heritage into opportunities for the future.

The Scottish Women's Institutes has been bringing women together to learn, share skills, build friendships and strengthen communities since 1917.

As we enter an exciting new chapter, we're looking for a Business Development Lead to help us grow our income, partnerships, reach and impact. This is a newly created role and a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys spotting opportunities and turning good ideas into sustainable activity.

Working directly with our Chief Executive and alongside our small national team, you'll lead the development of new income through fundraising, grants, sponsorship, corporate partnerships, philanthropic giving and commercial opportunities.

You'll build relationships with funders, businesses and organisations across Scotland; develop compelling funding and partnership proposals; create new sponsorship opportunities; and explore new ways in which SWI's brand, programmes, skills, heritage and national network can generate income and impact.

We're looking for someone who can:

  • identify and develop new income opportunities;
  • build a strong pipeline of funders, sponsors and partners;
  • write compelling funding applications and partnership proposals;
  • develop trusted relationships with businesses, funders and stakeholders;
  • think commercially while understanding the values and purpose of a charity;
  • spot opportunities for new products, partnerships and collaborations; and
  • take an idea from an initial conversation through to a successful, deliverable project.

You don't necessarily need to have done all of these things in one job. You might currently work in fundraising, partnerships, business development, sponsorship, income generation or another role where building relationships and creating opportunities is central to what you do.

What matters is that you are proactive, commercially aware, a strong relationship-builder and excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of one of Scotland's most established membership organisations.

You'll be joining SWI at a particularly exciting time as we implement our new strategy and build on the opportunities created by our 110th anniversary.

Shortlist