Project Manager - Burns Tourism Partnership

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a leading role in helping to transform Dumfries into a globally recognised visitor destination.

Robert Burns is one of the most famous cultural figures in the world. His legacy is celebrated internationally and remains a living part of global culture. Dumfries, as the place where Burns spent the final and most productive years of his life, holds a unique and powerful position within that story.

In recent years, the Burns Tourism Partnership has brought together a wide range of organisations, businesses and stakeholders to begin realising this opportunity. Significant progress has been made through collaboration, shared planning and early delivery.

However, the central challenge has been clear: the absence of dedicated capacity to drive delivery at pace and scale.

This role, which has been made possible through funding received from Dumfries Town Board as part of the UK Government's Pride in Place Plan, has been created to address that challenge directly.

The Burns Tourism Partnership Project Manager will build on existing work led by the Burns Tourism Partnership, providing the focus, momentum and leadership required to move from ambition to delivery – ensuring that Dumfries takes its rightful place as a leading global Burns destination.

The Burns Tourism Partnership Project Manager is a full-time, fixed-term role through March 2028, with the potential for extension subject to future funding. Employed by the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA) and based in Dumfries, the postholder will bridge strategic tourism expertise with local delivery.

This is a delivery-focused role requiring a proactive problem solver to drive existing plans forward. The postholder will unite stakeholders, translating joint priorities into tangible, visible outcomes for local businesses and communities.

The position offers significant autonomy and responsibility. The successful candidate will be trusted to work independently, maintaining momentum across a complex partnership environment. A sharp focus on measurable progress is essential; the postholder will track delivery against priorities and provide concise monthly updates to ensure transparency and accountability. This role is ideal for a tenacious self-starter committed to achieving impactful, high-momentum results.

The Burns Tourism Partnership has existed for several years, bringing together the key organisations involved in Burns Tourism in Dumfriesshire and Nithsdale, including:

• D&G Council Arts and Museums Service
• Dumfries Town Board
• Dynamically Different Dumfries (DPAG)
• D&G Chamber
• SOSE
• Visit Scotland
• University of Glasgow
• The Globe Inn and Burns Quarter
• Robert Burns Ellisland Museum & Farm
• Wigtown Festival Company
• Big Burns Supper
• Theatre Royal Dumfries
• Cairndale Hotel & Spa
• The Crichton Trust
• St Michael’s Church
• Midsteeple Quarter
• Sanquhar Enterprise Company
• South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA)

The Partnership has been significantly re-energised in the last two years, with the SSDA playing a key role coordinating activity.

Between November 2023 and May 2024, a six-month SSDA action plan brought together partners to deliver a wide range of coordinated activity. This was followed by a further ambitious 12-month action plan (Sept 2024-Sept 2025) setting out clear objectives for developing Dumfries as a leading Burns destination.

This work has demonstrated both the strength of collaboration in Dumfries and the scale of the opportunity.

There is now:

• A strong and engaged partnership network
• Clear shared priorities
• Early evidence of successful delivery
• Alignment with regional and national tourism strategies

At the same time, it has become increasingly evident that without dedicated leadership and capacity, progress will remain constrained.

This role represents the next critical step: moving from collaborative planning to sustained, high-impact delivery.

The Project Manager will lead, coordinate, and deliver the development of Burns tourism in Dumfries. The core mission is to strengthen the visitor experience, increase tourism spend, and support local businesses while…