As the #1 Modern University in Scotland (World University Rankings 2025), Edinburgh Napier University strives to deliver the best teaching, to the widest range of students who can benefit from it, in ways that are appropriate to the needs of students and employers. Philanthropic support from our donors provides critical support to some students and adds great value to increase the excellence of teaching and research, in ways not possible through core-funding alone.

Our Development and Alumni Relations Office works with a wide range of alumni and partners. The team’s aims are to raise philanthropic funds for scholarships, research and capital programmes and to strengthen the University's life-long relationships with alumni and friends worldwide.

As such, we are currently recruiting a Senior Development Manager (Fundraising/Major Donations) to take responsibility for raising funds to meet targets for student support and the portfolio of key projects.

The Role:

As Senior Development Manager, you will have the opportunity to use your proven experience of major gift fundraising to build and maintain key relationships with funders and raise philanthropic revenues to achieve income targets.

Your experience in a similar fundraising, venture philanthropy or business development role will put you in an excellent position to use your skills in networking, influencing, proposal writing, negotiation and securing agreements, to manage and build a portfolio of prospects, and engage new donors who are financially and emotionally invested in the value of education and research at Edinburgh Napier.

In that regard, you will have the chance to play a major role in delivering funded opportunities for current and future students whilst raising the profile and support for exciting, innovative projects and interdisciplinary research programmes. As an applied university, you will quickly see the impact of your work to help transform the lives of individuals, communities and our environment both here in Scotland as well as around the world.

We anticipate that you are the type of person that will use your resilience, strength of character, outgoing personality and dependability to build relationships and grow sustainable funding. This role will give you remit to use these skills and qualities to build meaningful associations with individuals; trusts and foundations; lottery and other statutory funding bodies as well as internal stakeholders such as academic staff, project champions and University executive leadership.

Should you have a background in Higher Education fundraising, Third Sector/Charity fundraising then this role will provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills and experience, while managing an energetic team who have established a track record of funding growth over the past five years, getting visible results and having a major impact on the fantastic opportunities available at our institution.

What we will need from you:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant discipline
• Significant fundraising experience, which should include: -
  • scoping fundraising project development, including budgeting
  • growing and managing a portfolio of prospects including individuals, trusts, foundations or statutory bodies
  • case for support/ proposal writing
  • preparing solicitation plans
  • face-to-face major gift asks
• Excellent networking and negotiation skills
• Excellent organisation, planning and time management skills

For a full role description, please click here.

Benefits we offer:

We offer 41 days annual leave (includes bank holidays), a generous pension scheme (17.6%), flexible working and professional development opportunities. Further information regarding our benefits can be viewed here.

Role Summary

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) seeks a highly skilled Project Manager to lead the Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne project, delivering significant conservation and adaptation works at Ellisland Museum and Farm. The post is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to players of the National Lottery and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Introduction

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust (RBET) safeguards the 1788 farm designed and built by the poet Robert Burns on the banks of the Nith near Dumfries. The A listed steading is the best preserved of all the poet’s homes, the only one he built, and the place where he wrote a quarter of his musical output, including the international anthem to friendship, Auld Lang Syne. The farmstead sits in 140 acres comprising woodland and fields which were first enclosed by Burns himself. RBET is a membership Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation with a volunteer board of Trustees formed in 2020, although the site itself has been held in trust since 1928. It is located six miles north of Dumfries off the A76. It is an accredited museum, with seasonal opening, holding events and group visits off-season, depending on capacity. A small team of volunteers maintain the grounds and riverside walks for free public enjoyment all year.

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust’s charitable purpose is as follows:

To hold the lands and farm of Ellisland, and such other funds and assets as may from time to time be comprised in the Trust Property, in trust for the following purposes:

(a) the advancement of education

(b) the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture

(c) the promotion of the life and works of Robert Burns

(d) to maintain a museum and collections for the benefit of the public

The Robert Burns Ellisland Trust Mission Statement is as follows:

“Ellisland is the place to fall in love with Burns. We will increase awareness of Ellisland as central to the artistic development of Robert Burns in poetry and romantic song. We will enhance understanding of the site as the best place to see the natural world through the poet’s eyes. We will create a world class visitor experience and a vibrant centre for creative learning to ensure the unique collection, buildings and landscape are accessible to a diverse range of modern audiences.”

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne

In September 2024, our trust secured the offer of a development stage grant of up to £489,206 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne. In November 2024 we were awarded up to £313,000 from South of Scotland Enterprise towards the project. We expect to receive Permission to Start by January 2025. The development stage of the project is costed at £945,000 while the full cost after delivery and re-opening is £7.4m, which includes start up activity costs.

Saving the Home of Auld Lang Syne intends to bring the spirit of Burns – love, kindness and equality – into the 21st century and widen access to Ellisland with a vibrant programme of events, activities and artist residencies. We will restore the 1788 cottage, creating an immersive visitor experience, and develop a gallery/museum to display the collection, which is at risk in the deteriorating buildings. Our barn will be sensitively adapted as a Centre for Song, so future generations are inspired by Burns’s “sweet poetic ground.” We will increase visitor numbers and develop new income streams to protect the built heritage, collection and outdoor spaces, including woods, paths and fields created by Burns. This will increase economic prosperity in South Scotland and enhance wellbeing with skills training, jobs and volunteering opportunities.

A full brief can be downloaded below.

Could you be part of something different? We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to use their gifts, skills and experience to make a difference to the lives of the people in our parishes and communities.

We are looking for someone to support the Parish Minister and ministry team, providing ministry, worship and pastoral care in the parish; with a particular focus on pioneering new forms of worship or fresh expressions of church across the communities of the parish.

It is essential you have the right to work in the UK before applying to work with us. You will be asked to provide proof of your eligibility to work and remain in the UK if you are invited to attend for an interview.

We are current looking for a Legacy & In Memory Manager. This is a hybrid role between home working and Scottish SPCA Headquarters in Dunfermline.

About the Scottish SPCA

As Scotland’s animal welfare charity, we have been on-hand to protect animals and prevent cruelty since 1839 – that’s over 184 years of creating a better world for all animals. We’ve grown to become a national charity which celebrates the strength of the human-animal bond and enriches the lives of animals and people. We are Scotland’s animal champions.

What does a Legacy & In Memory Manager do?

Legacies make up circa 42% of the Scottish SPCA’s income. This role is an exciting opportunity for a creative, driven, passionate and meticulous individual to support, steward and grow our pool of legacy donors ensuring the Scottish SPCA can respond to the changing needs of animals and their owners over the next decade.

Overview of main duties and responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Developing, implementing and driving forward an exciting new strategy to engage more supporters
• Provide advice, recommendations and assistance to the Senior Leadership Team on the management, administration and use of legacy income by the Scottish SPCA.
• Raise the profile of legacy and in-memory giving nationally and highlight its impact on the work of the Scottish SPCA.

Legacy Fundraising

• Discuss the value and potential of legacies left to Scottish SPCA with existing and potential new supporters on a one-to-one basis
• Develop and re-fresh the in-memory proposition at the Scottish SPCA enabling people to give on-line and in person at local centres in-memory of a loved one or loved companion animal.
• Work with colleagues to create and deliver inspiring campaigns for new and existing supporters engaging them in legacy and in-memory fundraising
• Promote a range of free Will writing offers as appropriate to supporters, staff and volunteers, with the aim of generating legacy pledges following up unrealised enquiries and generating future income.
• Plan and organise a series of Legacy Marketing in-person and virtually, annually, generating opportunities for new legacy enquiries and pledges and following up on these.
• Support with community talks where audiences fit a legacy profile.
• Engage key solicitor contacts, keeping them informed and supplied with up-to-date Scottish SPCA legacy information, visiting firm’s offices and liaising with fee earners.

Stewardship & Administration

• Develop Legacy Supporter Journeys with the Supporter Experience Manager
• Establish nurturing compassionate relationships with executors and next of kin ensuring the reputation of the Scottish SPCA is upheld and communicating and celebrating the impact of a loved one’s gift where appropriate.
• Work with colleagues in Finance and Supporter Experience to ensure a documented end to end process for the administration of legacies income and pledges
• Liaise with co-beneficiary charities building effective relationships to ensure the proper and timely receipt of funds.
• Work with our Finance team, and our solicitors (where appropriate) on the administration of complex cases including scrutiny of sales of properties and investments ensuring funds are maximised in line with the legator’s wishes.

Please see full Job Description link for more detailed information on the role.

What makes a good Legacy & In Memory Manager?

• Significant experience of administering legacies
• Experience of using a fundraising database to record legacies and in-memory income
• Experience of speaking with bereaved supporters and demonstrating compassion and sensitivity
• Experience of meeting or exceeding targets and KPIs
• Experience in organising and delivering successful events
• An excellent understanding of the legalities of the fundraising sector, particularly those that are relevant to Legacy fundraising, along with a grasp on the wider landscape of the sector.
• Ability to work independently and to manage time effectively
• Willingness to base decisions on insight and engage a diverse range of potential supporters with the Scottish SPCA