SHBT – Development and Engagement Officer

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is a Charity and Building Preservation Trust with over 40 years’ experience saving derelict and redundant buildings throughout the whole of Scotland.

Everyone has driven or walked past a forlorn and unloved historic building at some time. You may have wondered why it isn’t being used or why no one does something with it? The answer is often complex, and the solutions equally so. It takes a special group of people to identify a way forward and restore these buildings to the benefit of the community. SHBT is a dynamic, ambitious and innovative charity that does just that.

The Development and Engagement Officer is a role which will contribute to the fundraising strategy over the next five years; working to expand a newly established donor database through varied engagement work including lectures, conferences, events and publications, as well as managing new supporters’ scheme and corporate sponsorship offer.

This role requires creativity, ambition, and initiative, helping SHBT to achieve realistic fundraising targets for both core support and across ongoing projects. This is an opportunity for someone keen to make a lasting contribution to one of Scotland’s leading heritage organisations.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director of SHBT, you will provide executive assistance through diary and inbox management to coordinate a broad network of contacts. At the heart of your work is direct engagement with potential historic building projects and key stakeholders in support of the Director.

Working closely with colleagues in Events, Projects, Communications and Marketing, you will maximise engagement with donors, private trusts and foundations, and voluntary income in support of our work as Scotland’s largest historic buildings preservation trust and our work across the country.

You will do this by:

• Developing high quality relationships with all categories of donors, being part of a tailored donor acquisition, retention, development and acknowledgment programme.
• Engaging through knowledge: facilitate lectures, tours, conferences, and publications (and helping to develop new fundraising ideas) with the aim to inspire new supporters and donors.
• Championing SHBT’s corporate strategy and its dissemination to key stakeholders, as well as supporting SHBT’s values and vision as integral to current and future projects.
• Developing fundraising initiatives with corporate partners and engaging in the acquisition of new corporate partnerships.
• Supporting implementation of fundraising and public appeals for the purpose of raising unrestricted and restricted funds and engaging new supporters, including launching fundraising appeals via giving platforms such as Crowdfunder.
• Building on the successes of SHBT’s existing relationships with key funders such as Historic Environment Scotland, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund, Edinburgh World Heritage and others, through the effective management of the current fundraising programme.
• Assisting in the production of strong and compelling cases for support, fundraising information and materials for a wide range of audiences and media, supporting communications and marketing activities, working closely with the relevant colleagues across SHBT.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be the main point of contact for all individual and community giving enquiries and ensure complete, accurate and timely recording of all donor communications, activity and income in the CRM platform, Beacon.
• Manage online giving and donations from a range of sources.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications Manager to produce strong and compelling fundraising content and materials for a wide range of media, including SHBT newsletter, project fundraising appeals, sponsorship proposals and fundraising prospectuses.
• Support the Director and Project Teams in the development of fundraising strategies for each capital project (e.g., Leith Custom House and Edinburgh’s Tron Kirk). Support the recording and management of donation income for major projects, such as Leith Custom House.
• In coordination with the Director, Learning Working Group, Marketing and Events teams, lead the delivery of the autumn/winter lecture series and academic outreach as a key engagement tool to garner support and contacts for SHBT.
• Deliver aspects of the fundraising strategy focused on the charitable mission of the Trust, including the wider appeal to support the maintenance of, and increased public access to, an existing portfolio of historic buildings.

Other Duties

• Provide executive assistance to the Director in terms of calendar and inbox management, correspondence, and facilitate attendance at events.
• With the support of senior colleagues and Trustees, keep up to date with fundraising legislation, data protection, charity legislation, code of practice and all relevant guidelines affecting fundraising and communication practices.
• Comply with health and safety standards, sector standards and the organisation’s insurance policy.
• Develop skills and undertake responsibilities which will fulfil the purpose of the role and support the success of the organisation. Keep up to date with new initiatives and news from across the third sector.
• Working with the Director and relevant local groups, provide fundraising support to consultancy projects, including submitting fundraising applications, producing fundraising materials, and contacting relevant funding prospects.
• To undertake any other duties as requested by and agreed with the Director.
• Give presentations and talks to community groups, funding bodies, donors and stakeholders where required.
• Deliver and attend networking and fundraising events.
• Provide administrative support to the Fundraising and Learning Working Groups.

This role profile is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the team, strategy and service.

Education & Training

Essential:

• Educated to Degree Level or equivalent experience

Desirable:

• Member of Institute of Fundraising

Job Experience & Skills

Essential:

• Have a clear understanding of the mechanics of successful fundraising and the donor journey with demonstrable experience in individual giving.
• Proven ability in achieving income targets.
• Experience developing relationships with donors and supporters and building up a network of contacts and corporate partnerships.
• Experience of fundraising through social media and digital channels.
• Experience of creating communications material (including e-appeals, websites, and social media communications).
• Excellent IT skills.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills with ability to plan ahead and work to agreed timeframes.
• Experience of report writing.

Desirable:

• Experience using analytics tools and a CRM system.
• Experience in the fundraising sector.
• Experience of using Mailchimp or similar tools for mass communications.
• Knowledge of regulatory environment for fundraising from individuals including data protection, Gift Aid and fundraising codes of practice and regulation.
• Experience or willingness to learn how to submit funding applications to key funding bodies.

Personal Qualities

Essential:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work outside office hours by mutual arrangement.
• Outgoing personality and ability to initiate and enjoy direct communication with donors and potential donors.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer care attitude and behaviour, therefore committed to building good internal and external relationships, both with colleagues and supporters.
• Demonstrable ability to work on own initiative and to meet objectives and tight deadlines under pressure.

View the Recruitment Brochure for this Appointment

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV with an attached cover letter outlining why you would be a good fit for this role to recruitment@shbt.org.uk.

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Status: Full-time; 35 hours per week

Location: Riddle’s Court, Edinburgh / Leith Custom House with flexible home working and workspace across SHBT properties

Closing Date: Sunday 24 May 2026

 

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