Background

Deafblind Scotland is the specialist charity working with adults living with Deafblindness (dual sensory loss). Our ambitions are high for members and we are therefore at the cutting edge of finding ways to support people to lead their most meaningful life. Deafblind people are at the centre of all that we do and staff endeavour to work side by side with those who understand what it means to live with this condition. Deafblindness can be a devastating condition that can make daily life extremely challenging and as a result, many people living with Deafblindness become isolated. Our services can make a vital difference to their lives; enabling people to regain confidence, gain vital communication skills and re-establish social connections. Some people may acquire the loss of both senses where others may be born Deaf or with Visual Impairment and lose the other sense in adulthood through conditions such as Ushers Syndrome.

Purpose of Job

As the Business Development Officer you will be responsible for the identification and development of business and sponsorship opportunities for income generation. This will include Charity of the Year, promotion of our legacy fundraising, and managing relationships with individual fundraisers. One specific area of development will be leading on the creation of our Corporate Partnership programme The role is also responsible for building a robust pipeline of new and potential funders, writing and submitting compelling funding proposals and applications that showcase the amazing work of Deafblind Scotland. Specifically to support us to grow the charity’s services and programmes with income from trusts and foundations, lottery bodies and other grant makers of all sizes.

This is a great opportunity to lead one of Scotland’s key heritage organisations based in the Trust’s dedicated office at the charitable hub in Stirling, adjacent to the HES Engine Shed.

This post is being advertised as the current Trust Manager is retiring in late summer/ early autumn 2025. It is anticipated that there will be some overlap to enable the new manager to have a handover period to support the transition into the role. The possible start date for the successful applicant is flexible but likely to be August or September 2025.

As Trust Manager you would:

• Be responsible for all the operational activities of SCHT and act as the pivotal link between SCHT staff, its Board, its funders and key external stakeholder groups.
• Provide strong, decisive, clear and consistent leadership of SCHT.
• Manage the budgets, funding reporting and staff.
• Ensure effective delivery of all SCHT projects.

To meet this role, we seek an individual with:

• Degree or Postgraduate qualification in Architecture, Building Conservation, Planning, Building Surveying or other relevant discipline.
• Experience of organisational leadership, staff management and leading a team.
• Technical expertise in building conservation; knowledge and practical experience of traditional building materials, techniques and projects.
• Sound financial management experience and excellent numerical skills.
• A passion for Scotland’s traditional buildings and an enthusiastic approach to feed into the development of the service.

The Development Manager – Connecting communities will assist in identifying, targeting and participating in a key number of local and national strategic partnership projects, programmes and initiatives which have the potential to make a special contribution to the regeneration of coalfield communities.

You will be able to liaise with other programme staff and departments to co-ordinate project activity and investment opportunities and contribute to corporate goals ensuring the Trust delivers excellent capacity building support and quality investments.

The role will involve contributing towards the delivery of the Trust’s Strategy, Operational plan and overall objectives by delivering approved programmes to meet: spend, output and outcome targets.

Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing disadvantaged communities is required along with a flexible and adaptable approach to work.

Proven experience in successful programme and project management and awareness of current policy and funding regimes and how these are delivered at regional and local levels is required.

Organisation Profile

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) is the only community wealth building charity dedicated to the regeneration of Britain’s coalfield communities. For over 25 years, the CRT has worked with communities to deliver a breadth of projects creating opportunities for people, strengthening the role of community organisations and identifying place based solutions responsive to the challenges still experienced in former coalmining towns and villages. To support delivery, the CRT has developed an innovative community wealth-building model generating sustainable income to deliver both social and economic value. Enabled by engaging key stakeholders, partners and, most importantly the communities, activities delivered are personalised to meet the needs of the people, the organisations and the place.

Thanks to the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Development Trust programme and National Lottery players, we are recruiting a Dunfermline City Project Officer. If you have good heritage, project management and people skills, join us to develop a pipeline of FHBT historic environment projects in Dunfermline.