Business Development Manager

Newbattle Abbey College is Scotland’s life-changing adult education college, offering extensive support to adults and young people at points of transition.

The College is set within an historic 16th century building and 125 acres of woodland and parkland in Midlothian, on the site of the original Abbey which dates back to the 12th century. The estate was placed in trust by the 11th Marquis of Lothian in 1937 to become an adult residential college – and the Newbattle Abbey College story began.

As one of Scotland’s smallest colleges, Newbattle offers access to further and higher education, primarily in social sciences, rural skills and outdoor education. The College is also the national accreditation centre for two innovative awards:
Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards and Adult Achievement Awards.

We receive core funding from the Scottish Funding Council as a specialist college, which currently amounts to around 42% of our annual income. The balance is generated through a portfolio of activities, including events, residential programmes and international partnerships. The College also manages the adjacent Business Park on behalf of Newbattle Abbey College Trust Ltd. The income from these activities is invested back into our infrastructure and curriculum to support our purpose.

The post of Business Development Manager is crucial to drive further growth in the College’s commercial activity.

The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing income from a range of activities and identifying and successfully implementing new income streams.

You will embrace the College’s purpose and values and will thrive in a dynamic and unique environment.

You will have demonstrable experience of setting and achieving growth income targets, developing successful marketing strategies, fundraising and maintaining effective external relationships. You will be highly adaptable and enjoy working as part of a small team to find creative solutions and achieve goals. You will work with a team of committed staff in unrivalled surroundings.

Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, and working closely with the Principal and Depute Principal, you will play a full part in the strategic leadership and direction of the college. You will also have an outward-facing role, supporting our commercial and other strategic partnerships. You will line-manage the newly introduced role of Marketing and Events Officer and work collaboratively across the whole College team.