Business Development Manager

Job Title: Business Development Manager

Responsible to: Chair – Board of Trustees

Hours: 37.5

Location: Heart of Newhaven – Main Street – Edinburgh

Salary: £35,646

Annual Leave: 35 days a year (including public holidays)

Pension: HoNC operates an auto enrolment scheme

Contract: 23 months (with possible extension dependent on funding)

Closing Date: Monday 17th August 2026, 5pm

***** INTERVIEWS 27th AUGUST *****

Job Purpose:

The Heart is a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in Newhaven village in North Edinburgh. It is a membership and value-based organisation, owned and managed by local people, through a Board of Trustees. The overall aim of the organisation is to bring people together and promote inclusion together with challenging discrimination and alleviation of social isolation and loneliness.

As our Business Development Manager your role will be to drive the delivery of the strategic objectives agreed by the Board of Trustees and support the development of diverse and sustainable funding streams to reduce the organisation’s dependence on grant and trust funding. You will work as part of a small team and have proven experience in this sphere. Along with enthusiasm and a creative approach to the role, you will have the ability to engage positively with a wide range of people within the local community and beyond.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can help us balance commercial growth with the unique and rewarding challenges of building sustainable service provision within the charity sector.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with the Centre Manager and the Board of Trustees to devise a strategic approach to long-term sustainable funding.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities for income generation, including new partnerships, programmes, and business ventures.
• Review and refine existing business practices to ensure they are efficient, cost-effective, and aligned with agreed goals.
• Develop and ensure the delivery of diverse projects that generate vital income and support the Heart’s overall mission.
• Oversee the agreed income-generating initiatives, from initial planning and coordination to final execution.
• Ensure projects and initiatives are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest possible standards.
• Communicate effectively with the Board of Trustees and the staff team
• Prepare written reports for the Board, as required, to demonstrate progress and highlight areas of concern

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Proven track record in project management and income generation.
• Strong understanding of budgets, forecasting, and financial management.
• Knowledge and understanding of different funding models
• Demonstrable experience of building and using corporate and community networks effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively to motivate and support staff and volunteers to understand and deliver business priorities and targets
• Experience of developing and using effective communication tools and methods
• Self-motivated and able to work autonomously.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience in the charity sector.
• An understanding of relevant government policies in relation to community empowerment and wellbeing