Business Development Lead in Fife

Fixed-term post, grant-funded until 31 March 2029, 35 hours a week, flexible working.

Annual salary £41,165

Closing date and time: 8 June at 5pm

The Larick is recruiting a Business Development Lead. Do you have the experience, knowledge, skills, imagination and enthusiasm to take us to the next level of service, self-sustainability and resilience?

The Larick Centre is Tayport’s purpose-built community hub, opened in 2020. Our lovely building has won several architectural awards and is home to a sports hall, activity rooms, a cafe, a campsite and a community fridge. Everything we do is achieved with a small staff team and a big band of volunteers, supported by the trustees of Tayport Community Trust and the directors of Tayport Community Enterprise.

Life at the Larick is for everyone. We are here to serve our local community, and we want to attract visitors to Tayport, too. We use our building for all kinds of activities, classes and events. These are a mix of our own community engagement (free or small charge) and private hire. Our cafe is a relaxed, airy space that has become a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike, and our popular campsite has already won TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards. Our community fridge (which is much more than just a fridge) ensures surplus food and household products do not go to waste.

In the past five-and-a-bit years, we’ve been establishing who we are and what we do as a charitable trust. It takes a lot of effort and money to serve the community well and so far, our grant funding applications have been successful. We need to maximise funding opportunities, but we can’t rely on these alone. We also generate income through room hire and the cafe and campsite, and this is something we need to build on. Can you help us develop an operating model for resilience and self-sufficiency that works in balance with our purpose and ethos?

We’re looking for someone who easily and positively communicates and engages with all kinds of individuals and groups; who can build teams, collaborate and create; someone with imagination and ideas; someone who looks for opportunities and solutions, and knows how to maximise potential; someone who skilfully and strategically plans, markets and promotes. And of course, someone who cares about people and community as much as we do.

The Larick Centre is Tayport’s activity and meeting place, purpose-built to make a positive difference for people of all ages and abilities. We empower people to run groups and activities that benefit the community and attract visitors. We promote and support health and fitness, local business, local employment and tourism.

In addition to our café, campsite and community fridge, our modern, multi-purpose facility provides spaces for sport and fitness, health and wellbeing, arts and crafts, education, social and support groups, live entertainment, private functions and corporate events, exhibitions and tourist information.

We are located at the edge of Tentsmuir Nature Reserve forest and beach, which, with its extensive forest and beaches, offers a range of outdoor leisure activities, such as wildlife walks, cycling or just enjoying the outstanding natural environment.

The Larick Centre is managed by Tayport Community Trust and funded by grants, donations, room hire fees, as well as revenue from our cafés and campsite, run by our commercial arm, Tayport Community Enterprise.

This post holder’s main responsibilities will be to ensure that the Larick Centre remains financially sustainable and has a strong social media and marketing presence. The post holder will ensure that businesses, partners and the local and wider community are aware of the centre and the services, events, workshops and activities on offer. The post holder will be also responsible for the Larick Centre operation and line management of any Larick Centre staff and will report to the Tayport Community Trust (TCT) board.

Role purpose

• Report to and consult with the TCT and TCE boards to develop strategies, plans and targets, including a revised business strategy plan.
• Ensure long-term sustainability through sound planning, generating business income, fundraising and financial management.
• Deliver successful marketing and communications that promote the Larick Centre beyond the local area to Dundee, Angus and Fife communities, partner organisations and funders.
• Develop a marketing strategy that will maximise bookings and events to generate and sustain required income levels, thereby ensuring the continuous viability of the centre.
• Work with the Campsite and Café managers to maximise income generation at the Larick Centre.
• Ensure the Larick Centre and its assets are managed safely and effectively.
• Manage and support Larick Centre staff.

Key areas of responsibility

• Income generation to ensure long-term sustainability
• Develop and implement an income generation strategy for Tayport Community Trust (TCT) with specific focus on the Larick Centre.
• Work with partners to generate ideas, explore and promote creative and innovative uses of the Larick Centre that will maximise the potential for income generation.
• Work with the campsite and café managers to develop new areas of activity to generate income.
• Ensure a balance of use (for profit and community).
• Prepare budgets, set targets, and monitor and report on financial performance to TCT trustees on a regular basis.

• Fundraising
• Seek out, identify and complete appropriate funding opportunities in partnership with the Board.
• Maintain good relations with funders and ensure all funder requirements and reporting obligations are met.

• Communication, marketing, and promotion
• Continuously improve and develop digital engagement with the community and stakeholders by ensuring a strong website and social media presence.
• Market the Larick Centre facilities, events, services and activities to potential hirers, users and funders.
• Develop a continuing programme of community events.

• Staff
• Ensure any staff are recruited, inducted, supported and trained appropriately, including implementing regular supervision sessions and an annual appraisal process.
• Ensure staff are trained and supported to safeguard all vulnerable users of our buildings and activities, specifically children and vulnerable adults.
• Ensure the Larick Centre has the necessary numbers of staff and volunteers to deliver its functions effectively.

• Governance and Centre Responsibilities
• Support the TCT board to fulfil its governance duties and ensure it has at its disposal sufficient resources, guidance and professional advice to make informed decisions.
• Prepare reports for TCT board meetings and the TCT annual report.
• Ensure the Larick Centre and other assets are safe and accessible to use, meet our statutory obligations and follow good practice, including health and safety policies and procedures.

• Monitoring, evaluation and administration
• Implement a system to monitor the impact of our work at the Larick Centre that includes seeking feedback and involvement from staff, volunteers, users and the community.
• Work with the Centre’s administrator to ensure compliance with all regulatory reporting obligations and that effective administrative processes are in place and followed.

Person specification

We are looking for the following criteria. We recognise candidates may not meet all of them. Short-listed applicants will meet at least 75% of the following criteria.

• Proven experience in:
• successfully supporting businesses to grow
• generating income and meeting financial targets
• marketing, and event management
• using social media platforms and digital marketing tools
• working with others to plan, organise and deliver community events
• fundraising and sponsorship opportunities, including completing funding applications
• event budgeting and financial management
• managing and supporting staff and volunteers
• working in a community or non-profit setting
• understanding local community and customer needs and networks.

• Skills and competencies in:
• financial management
• organisational and time-management
• written and verbal communication
• independent and collaborative working
• creative thinking and problem-solving
• use of creative and marketing software, for example Mailchimp, social media apps, Canva and so on.

• Personal attributes include:
• enthusiastic, proactive and personable
• ability to engage positively with diverse businesses, community groups and individuals
• flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.

Undertake other tasks commensurate to the role as required. The role requires work outside of normal working hours in the evenings and on the weekends. A ‘time off in lieu’ (TOIL) system is in place.