Director of business development

Falkland Estate is a historic rural estate in central Scotland that is carving out a new way forward. The estate extends to about 1500 hectares. It includes:an in-hand organic farm;woodland; let farms; leased cottages; historic landscape; and business premises.

In recent years, Falkland Estate Trust (estate owner) has been working closely with Falkland Stewardship Trust (a heritage and educational charity), and Falkland Rural Enterprises Ltd (a small farm/forestry business) to create a Centre for Stewardship. Our shared and evolving purpose isto realise the potential of a place where land gives life to people and people give life to the land.

We are committed to the following values: thoughtfulness in our relationships; quality in our work; integrity in pursuit of our objectives.

Future plans include:

  1. The transfer of ownership of some, if not all, property into a community trust that will underpin and oversee the responsible stewardship of the land;
  2. A new business model with a focus on innovation, sustainability and resilience;
  3. Adding value to our sustainable land management by processing, crafting and marketing locally sourced food and wood products;
  4. Hosting inspiring events, summer schools, ceremonies and occasional festivals;
  5. Increasing quality skills training, in partnership with others;
  6. Transformingunderutilised sites on the estate into dynamic, purposeful hubs.

Job purpose

The successful candidate willlead and support the successful development of business enterprises.You will workwith staff, boardmembers, volunteers, tenants and partners to create a viable, vibrant and valued economic system that serves our purpose.

The post-holder will enable Falkland Estate to realise the potential of our social, environmental and economic assets by:

  • Developing sound business plans and processes for adding value;
  • Project managing strategic development projects;
  • Managing& supporting thedevelopment & delivery of business on the ground;
  • Cultivating a systemic approach to the development of enterpriseacross the various estate entities and actors that contribute to the Centre for Stewardship
  • Lead responsibility for health and safety, and risk management for the estate.

Reporting arrangements and Organisational culture

You will report to the Executive Chair and the Board of Falkland Estate Trust.

You will join an enthusiastic, professional and dedicated team supported by voluntary board members. We are committed to an approach involving:shared leadership; devolved responsibilities; and high levels of self-management in service of our purpose.

Person Specification

Since the main focus is business development, the following skills are needed -

  • Business planning, budgeting and monitoring
  • Developing markets for products and services
  • Interpersonal, leadership and team work skills
  • Project management
  • Ability to manage risk (including health and safety in the work place)
  • Management and supervision of staff

Areas of relevant experience

The post will operate in a fast changing rural environmentand the successful candidate is likely to have experience in some (but not all!) of the following areas:

  • Social enterprise and/or cooperatives
  • Creative industries
  • Farming, horticulture, food-processing, forestry or timber-processing
  • Rural diversification and/or property development
  • Hospitality, rural tourism or outdoor pursuits
  • Retail and marketing of produce, products and/or services
  • Skills training and/or product development
  • Project management of capital projects
  • Sustainable land use/management

A key skill will be in sourcing and drawing on additional support where needed.

It is envisaged that about 40% of your time will involve managing, supporting and evaluating existing estate business operations and the remaining 60% will involve developing plans and initiating new business ventures.

This work will involve close collaboration with the public, private and third sectors. So we are looking for someone with an understanding and experience of working across sectors - as well as an ability to deal with complexity in a rapidly changing world.

You are also likely to have:

  • Arelevant professional or academic qualification;
  • Experience of managing businessdevelopmentat a senior level;
  • Track record of successfulinnovation and transformative practice.

Please return your application form 5pm on Monday 10thOctober. Provisional date of interviews is Friday 21st October 2016.

Informal enquiries to .Tel - 01337858544