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.

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.

Culbokie Community Trust (CCT) is seeking an experienced, motivated and community minded Business Development Officer to lead the development and launch of The Space, a new 100m² multi purpose building in the heart of Culbokie on the Black Isle designed for both business and community use.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a new community asset, from pre-opening planning through to successful operation and long-term sustainability.

The post is funded until end March 2029. In year 1 you will work closely with the CCT Project Management Group during construction to ensure everything is ready for the building's opening. You will engage with health, care, business, environmental, and third‑sector organisations to assess local needs, uncover new opportunities, and create essential operational partnerships.

In years two and three, you will focus on consolidating services, enhancing community engagement and tenant relationships, establishing a volunteer user group, strengthening income through effective occupancy and yield management, embedding social and environmental values in The Space’s operations, refining marketing strategies, and planning for sustainable, volunteer-led management.

Why Join Us?

You’ll play a key role in creating a vibrant, financially sustainable community facility that supports local services, enterprise and wellbeing. This role offers the chance to see a project through from concept to delivery, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in a rural community. For more information on CCT see our website culbokiect.org.

Are you passionate about people and motivated by making a real difference? Do you enjoy meeting new people, building confidence, and supporting others to take positive steps towards sustainable employment?

If so, Community Renewal Trust really want to hear from you.

Community Renewal Trust is a values driven, dynamic, and innovative organisation working at the cutting edge of efforts to end persistent poverty in Scotland. We operate across three neighbourhoods and run two social enterprises, creating meaningful impact and rich learning opportunities every day. This is an exciting chance to be part of a team that is committed, forward thinking, and focused on lasting change.

For an informal chat about this role please contact Michael Byrne - Manager - Michael.Byrne@communityrenewal.org.uk to arrange a convenient time.