Director of Development – Dundee Heritage Trust
Abeer Macintyre Consultancy is recruiting, on behalf of Dundee Heritage Trust, for a Director of Development.
About Dundee Heritage Trust
Dundee Heritage Trust is a charity dedicated to preserving and sharing Dundee’s rich cultural and scientific heritage. It operates two award-winning visitor attractions, Discovery Point, home of the RRS Discovery (the ship that took Scott and Shackleton to the Antarctic), and Verdant Works, an 1833 flax and jute mill that tells the story of the industry which shaped Dundee for almost 200 years.
The Trust generates around £2.2m annually through admissions, cafés, events, venue hire, fundraising and the capital appeal. To sustain and grow this work, Abeer Macintyre Consultancy is seeking, on behalf of the Trust, an exceptional Director of Development to lead the fundraising strategy and team.
As Director of Development, you will
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Lead the fundraising team and nurture their potential following a period of leadership change.
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Shape and deliver a multi-channel fundraising strategy, with a focus on major gifts, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, legacies and international networks.
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Work closely with the Executive and Commercial Directors to align fundraising with earned income.
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Draw on the strength of a highly engaged Board, a well-connected Chair, and high-profile Patrons such as Brian Cox, Dan Snow and Lorraine Kelly.
This is a senior leadership role with the freedom to create your own strategy, supported by colleagues who understand what it takes to make fundraising thrive. The potential is significant, from polar exploration enthusiasts and the Scottish diaspora to corporate partnerships and legacy giving, and the platform is already set.
Person specification
Essential experience
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Development and management of donor giving for not-for-profits or member-based organisations, or client development for commercial income generation and business development.
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A track record of achieving revenue targets from campaigns, activities and events.
Essential skills, abilities and attributes
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Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial, self-motivated approach.
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Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a dynamic, evolving organisation.
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Proven success securing major gifts and or regular subscriptions from individuals, philanthropists, corporates and supporters.
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Creative thinker with strong written and verbal communication skills, able to craft compelling narratives that influence at the highest level.
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Experience of developing international networks and gifts.
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Personable, with excellent collaborative and team skills.
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Knowledge of the Scottish, UK and international philanthropic landscape and, ideally, a well-connected personal network.
How to apply
Please send a CV and covering letter, both no longer than two pages, by 31 October 2025.
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First-stage interviews: Thursday 20 November 2025 in Dundee.
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Second-stage interviews: Tuesday morning 25 November 2025 via Zoom for top-placed candidates. Please keep this date free unless you are notified that you have not progressed.
If you have questions not covered in the candidate pack, please email the address above to arrange a convenient time to speak.
Salary: Grade 5 - £37,739 per annum pro rata
Hours: Full time: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term contract until end of March 2026 -possible extension until 31st August 2026
Location: Manchester
Closing date: Wednesday 29th October 2025 at 11.30pm
Interviews will be on Tuesday 4th November 2025 at Shelter's offices on Swan Street, M4
Do you have experience of working in frontline services, ideally supporting people with multiple and complex needs or facing multiple disadvantages and leading staff in a paid or voluntarily role? Then join Shelter as a Team Leader in our Early Help Adult Navigator Service and you could soon be playing a vital role at the heart of a truly innovative programme to address the housing emergency.
About the Role
The service provides early help for adults facing multiple disadvantages and is part of two wider programmes: Manchester Bringing Service Together for People in Places (BST PiP) programme and the national Changing Futures programme. You will work alongside the Navigators, services and agencies to identify blocks and barriers within the support systems for people experiencing multiple disadvantage and come up with solutions. We emphasise the importance of early intervention and prevention, to deliver a person centred approach which plays to clients’ strengths. Our aim is to transform local systems to enable positive outcomes. You will put the lived experience of people facing multiple disadvantage at the heart of everything you do as they are involved in its delivery and shaping its future.
We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.
About you
You will need strong understanding of the barriers faced by people accessing local services and knowledge of the wider challenges experienced by people with complex needs including trauma. You can demonstrate sound experience of leading and supporting colleagues and experience of case supervision, relationship building and contract management. Also, you know when to challenge the status quo and are able to lead change and welcome the introduction of new ideas and processes.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
About the team
Your team will be made up six Navigators based in multiple locations around the City of Manchester. You will lead and support them as well as collaborating with our two partner organisations to deliver the service.
You will also work alongside other teams at the Greater Manchester Hub, including our Housing Rights Workers, Homeless Health Peer Advocacy team, our Changing Futures GROW Campus and more.
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
How to apply
Please submit your CV, along with a supporting statement. The supporting statement should demonstrate how you meet the five knowledge, skills and experience points in the About You section of the job description, and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below throughout your responses:
•We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
•We create change and align behind our strategy
Please use real examples and write up to 350 words per point. CVs without an accompanying supporting statement will not be considered.
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.