Rural partnerships development manager jobs in Edinburgh, scotland
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Impatience Earth is a non-profit climate philanthropy consultancy founded in 2020 with a mission to educate, challenge and inspire wealth holders to take bolder funding decisions to address the climate emergency. Since 2020, our engagement with over 40 philanthropic foundations and businesses has supported them to make over £250m of new funding available for climate action, and we have already helped them make grants to over 200 different organisations.
Our work with corporates
We work closely with businesses* to develop and implement strategic grant-making funds, through their corporate foundation arm or internal budgets, that align with their mission and values, while making a tangible climate impact.
Increasingly, our work with businesses has focused on agri-food businesses. In today’s world, they can no longer count on steady yields, consistent quality, or predictable sourcing from global supply regions. Climate volatility is no longer a distant risk; it’s an immediate operational threat. Businesses that fail to invest in climate resilience now will face higher costs in the long-term, for example through more frequent supply shortages and greater business disruption. Companies that depend on agricultural supply chains for their business survival should treat bold climate action as a strategic investment in managing financial risk and staying competitive.
Impatience Earth has already helped a number of companies to better understand where their biggest climate risks and opportunities lie in their value chain, and support them through a learning and strategy process, through to implementation of funding. Crucially, we’ve helped them to identify how and where to invest philanthropically to both build climate resilience within the business and demonstrate their leadership across the sector. In 2026, we want to expand this work and proactively engage agribusinesses who may benefit from our advisory support.
The role
We acknowledge that most agribusinesses have their supply chains based in the Global South, and through our work with them, we would like to see them engage in forms of reparative finance that builds the climate resilience of farmers and communities in those regions.
We are seeking a dynamic, justice-driven, Regenerative Agriculture Lead to help agri-food businesses rethink how they invest in climate impact. In this role, you will engage senior executives, particularly in sustainability, procurement, supply chain, and corporate strategy, to shift from short-term, carbon-offsetting based approaches toward directly funding regenerative agriculture practices within their supplier networks, and working towards business transformation as a whole.
Your work will help agrifood businesses transition to more resilient, low-carbon, and nature-positive supply networks by unlocking capital that accelerates climate-smart and justice-centred practices on the ground.
Your initial focus and priority within the role would be in sales and business development, and once you’ve secured high value clients, you’ll also be supporting on delivery and advisory with those clients.
Key areas of focus
Strategic sales & business development
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Identify, engage, and nurture relationships with senior-level executives at companies with agriculture-linked supply chains and networks (e.g., food & beverage, apparel, beauty, consumer goods). Note that Impatience Earth has a partnership eligibility criteria that influences the types of organisations we work with.
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Lead consultative sales conversations with companies that rely on carbon offsetting, or are looking to reduce their sustainability budgets, highlighting the value of increasing investment in direct regenerative supply chain transformation as a tool for building long-term resilience.
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Build and engage a pipeline of corporate clients and guide prospects from initial interest to proposal development, and deal close.
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Represent Impatience Earth at conferences, industry events, and executive briefings.
Thought partnership & advisory
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Engage corporate leaders on the financial, environmental, and operational benefits of transitioning to, and increasing direct funding towards regenerative agriculture.
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Translate complex climate, carbon, and agricultural concepts into clear business cases and ROI narratives, and occasionally share knowledge and provide training for Impatience Earth colleagues to develop team knowledge.
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Serve as a trusted advisor to help companies design pathways to supply chain transformation that is good for the business and the climate
What we’re looking for:
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5+ years of experience in business development, corporate sales, partnerships, sustainability advisory, supply chain solutions, or climate/ESG-related roles. We encourage applications from folks who have worked in sustainability or procurement teams within agribusinesses.
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A proven track record of selling into or advising agribusinesses, with a focus on sustainability, carbon markets, climate tech, or agriculture-related domains.
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Strong ability to engage C-suite and VP-level leaders with credibility and influence.
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Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to distill technical topics (carbon accounting, regenerative agriculture, climate finance) into compelling narratives.
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Comfortable navigating complex corporate structures, long sales cycles, and multi-stakeholder decision processes.
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Comfortable working in an evolving and early-stage organisation, with an entrepreneurial mindset: proactive, scrappy, and excited to build something new in a rapidly evolving market.
What’ll be nice to have:
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Knowledge of Scope 3 emissions, insetting, carbon markets, or B-corp and sustainability reporting frameworks (i.e. SBTI, TCFD, CSRD)
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Familiarity with agricultural supply chains, rural development, regenerative agriculture, or nature-based solutions.
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Experience developing climate or sustainability strategies for large corporates.
How you’ll know you’re doing a good job
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You consistently build and advance a high-quality pipeline of corporate prospects.
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You help shift C-suite mindsets from funding short-term initiatives, carbon offset projects or reducing sustainability budgets to embracing direct, long-term regenerative supply chain investment.
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You close deals and create new partnerships that directly fund agricultural transitions and measurable climate outcomes.
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You become a go-to expert for companies exploring how to finance and scale regenerative agriculture.
Benefits
As part of this role, you will have a pro rata allowance of 25 days paid annual leave, individual coaching, a professional development budget and be part of a passionate team committed to advancing climate action. We have put in place, and continue to build, a range of measures to build an inclusive and welcoming work culture centred on wellbeing, and we hope we will receive applications from people from a range of backgrounds.
How To Apply:
We are not able to sponsor visas, nor are we able to have calls with candidates in advance of application.
We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you have any access requirements or need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know so we can discuss how to support you.
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Stage 1: Submit your CV plus either a cover letter (1.5 pages max), or a short video, that includes details about your relevant experience for the role and why you think you’ll be a good fit. Please consider the Requirements for this role section when you write your cover letter/record your video, particularly points 2-5. Please submit documents in PDF format as we are unable to open MS Word files.
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Stage 2: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a short initial video call carried out on Zoom to discuss your experience and what excites you about the role. We will send all candidates the interview questions in advance.
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Stage 3: You will be asked to complete a short assignment at a time that suits you. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates a £50 stipend to cover the time invested in this exercise.
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Stage 4: As part of the final interview stage, you’ll be invited to a full interview, and we will be sending all candidates the interview questions in advance. At this stage in the process, we will offer candidates an additional £50 stipend to cover the time invested in preparing for the interview.
Who You Will Meet:
As part of the interview process, you will meet Aditi Shah (Co-CEO), and Vicky Murray (Associate). For more information, see our website, impatience.earth.
Salary
£15,069 - £17,400 (22.5 hours per week) per annum (£25,115 – £29,000 per annum full time equivalent (FTE) for 37.5 hours per week) – pending salary review in April 2026.
Contract
Fixed term, funded by the National Lottery, until 31st March 2030.
Location
Devon – travelling widely in and around the county, with some home working.
About Resource Futures
We want to create a future where organisations, people and communities can thrive and rebalance their relationship with material resources.
Resource Futures is an organisation accelerating the shift towards a circular world: putting restorative practices of reuse, repair, recycling at the heart of the fight to address the climate crisis. We help governments, businesses, NGOs and non-profits embrace regenerative change.
We are non-profit-distributing and have a close-knit team of 50+ trusted employees who collaborate across various areas of the business. Our multi-disciplined and connected approach sets us apart from the competition and enables us to build robust solutions that have a meaningful impact in the world.
We are passionate not only about what we do but how we do it, and we’re proud to be a part of the global B Corp movement to use business as a force for good. Employee-owned and independent, we’re all about helping each team member grow, and together striving towards our goal of creating a sustainable world.
The opportunity
We are recruiting two part-time Project Officers to support the Together for Tomorrow Project, a five-year National Lottery-funded programme supporting grassroots climate action across Devon. Working in close partnership with Libraries Unlimited, you will support delivery to new and established grassroots groups who are working, or seek to work, with libraries, helping communities to develop practical climate initiatives and inspiring libraries to become active sustainability hubs.
You will support the creation of toolkits, training and new activities, while also supporting monitoring and reporting. The role blends hands-on delivery and behind the scenes support to groups.
This role sits within the CAG (Community Action Groups) Devon team, a network that supports community groups to take action on reuse, repair, food waste, composting, biodiversity and wider sustainability issues. CAG provides the tools and support that groups need to thrive, including training, resources, and opportunities to connect with others. Your role will contribute to the consolidation of the network and its membership across Devon.
The role can be worked flexibly across 3 days a week. This will include some work during evenings and weekends.
You will be expected to travel widely across Devon, and this will be reimbursed. Whilst we promote public transport where possible, due to the rural nature of the county a current full driving licence with own transport, and necessary business use insurance, or ability to travel easily around Devon County is required.
What you will be doing
Day to day project support
· Helping groups run initiatives and activities at libraries, and at other community spaces, supporting with event planning and engaging diverse audiences.
· Supporting groups to set up and get started, or to develop new activities.
· Responding to enquiries from CAG groups and other organisations.
· Co-ordinating training and events.
· Attending CAG events and planning meetings.
· Building and maintaining partnerships with grassroots groups, libraries and underrepresented communities.
· Assisting with group and event risk assessments, insurance documents, safeguarding policies and other related administration.
· Creation and dissemination of guides and resources to support the projects.
Publicity and communications
· Generating content and building online audiences for social media and CAG Devon’s regular newsletter.
· Assisting groups with effective publicity for their events, including 1-2-1 social media clinics.
· Producing publicity material, news releases, stories/case studies and articles relating to the Together for Tomorrow Project.
· Speaking in public about the Together for Tomorrow Project, CAG Devon and the work of its members.
· Working with the CAG team to promote and deliver events.
· Liaising with the wider CAG team to ensure a coherent CAG support offer to grassroots community groups across Devon.
· Working with the Library Unlimited Outreach Officers to promote events.
Administration
· Liaising with and supporting groups, and gathering documentation, as part of the membership joining process.
· Logging communications with groups and partners in the CAG database.
· Keeping mailing lists and database up to date.
· Monitoring projects, utilising tools such as Excel, SurveyMonkey and the CAG data collection tool.
· Supporting with quarterly and annual reporting.
· Assisting the project team with any other administrative tasks that they require.
· Supporting groups to use the CAG data collection tool, to help them demonstrate their impact.
· Collecting data and testimonials/stories from CAG groups and the general public.
The essentials
· Passion for the community/voluntary sector.
· Experience of setting up and delivering new initiatives and activities with community groups and volunteers.
· Experience of social media.
· Competent IT user, particularly Microsoft packages and web.
· Previous experience in a role in communications and/or public engagement.
· Excellent organisational and time management skills to meet deadlines.
· Good communication skills (e.g. written, verbal, presentation).
· Ability to take and edit photos/videos.
· Confidence to engage with the public and present to groups.
· Experience of organising and leading events.
· Great people skills.
· Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
· Willingness to work evenings and weekends to support community engagement (approximately one to two times a month).
· Current full driving licence with own transport, and necessary business use insurance, or ability to travel easily around Devon County.
· Proactive and problem-solving attitude.
Great to haves
· Knowledge of sustainability issues such as resource use, waste and recycling, biodiversity/wildlife, energy and active travel.
· Knowledge of Devon and Devon communities.
· Experience of running or being actively involved with a community group.
· Experience of working with schools and/or businesses.
· Knowledge/experience of Social Enterprise Development.
· Experience of engaging with difficult to reach audiences.
· Understanding of the barriers to volunteering and steps that can be taken to address these.
Benefits
· Embedded flexi working culture.
· 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, each year (pro rata for part-time hours) – flexibility to work or use some bank holidays for annual leave.
· Buying and selling annual leave policy to add further flexibility around how you manage your work/non-work time and give you better control over how much and when you take leave from work.
· Paid volunteer time each year (a full day for those working 19 hours or more per week, and a half day for those working up to 18.75 hours per week).
· Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
· Enhanced sick pay.
· Scottish Widows pension plan – the company will match up to 7% of your contribution.
· Group life assurance cover.
· Healthcare portal offering 24/7 GP access and prescription service, mental health support, wellbeing advice, financial and legal guidance.
· Mental health and wellbeing group with trained mental health first aiders and responders, maintaining a focus on support for our team.
· A cycle to work scheme for all and on-site showers at the Bristol office.
· Home and tech scheme - costs at Currys and Ikea spread across 12 months, and up to 10% savings.
· Paid professional membership such as CIWM or ISEP.
· An opportunity to become a company member, contributing to decision making and the future direction and success of our business.
· Consultative Group – a group of employees providing an anonymous vehicle for employee voice, raising issues, proposing changes and engaging senior management.
· Regular line manager 1:1s and performance reviews, with opportunities to discuss and build targets that inspire and push you professionally.
· Annual training budget to ensure continued progression and development, as well as regular internal ‘Lunchtime Briefs’ and other sessions to share skills and knowledge across all roles.
· Two annual team away days, each followed by evening socials.
· Green and accessible Bristol office, surrounded by nature, and close to the harbourside.
· Accessible central Glasgow office close to local public transport links as well as cafés and shops, with various complementary facilities, events and networking opportunities.
· An opportunity to join a friendly, fun, professional, challenging, and supportive place to work, and a team that is collectively focused on making a positive impact.
Resource Futures is an equal opportunities employer. We strive to create a working environment where everyone can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment.
We celebrate difference and encourage everyone to join us in being themselves at work. We pride ourselves on working flexibly to enable our people to take care of their mental health and maintain a good life-work balance.
We are Disability Confident and a Living Wage employer, and our hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.
We recruit and treat everyone with equality and respect regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital or partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. In line with the expectations set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, we place an obligation upon all of our people to respect and act in accordance with this statement.
Resource Futures operate a blind recruitment process which reduces bias and promotes diverse hiring. The hiring team do not have access to the application forms that include any personal details and select candidates for interview based only on information provided on Application Form – Part 2.
Please let us know if you would like to submit your application in a different format.
Closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 12th January 2026.
We aim to hold interviews for this role on 4th and 5th February 2026.
Our vision is to create a sustainable world. We support organisations, people and communities to thrive using material resources sustainably.