JOB PURPOSE
This is an exciting and dynamic leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape the future of one of Scotland’s most treasured landscapes.
As Head Ranger and Property Manager, you will be responsible for the delivery of the Ben Lomond vision and management plan. Acting as the first point of contact and main local representative, you will embody the values of the National Trust for Scotland in this area. As a strong communicator and team leader, you will inspire trust and confidence in the organisation and its objectives. You will manage and motivate staff and volunteers, drive activities that keep the National Trust for Scotland at the forefront of upland conservation management and visitor engagement.
A key part of your success will come from building strong relationships with local stakeholders and being a voice for the Trust in conservation and management of this popular landmark.
In addition to estate management, you will also oversee the commercial operations of the Ardess bunkhouse and wider team working across the site.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
• Management of Ben Lomond, the islands of Bucinch and Ceardach ensuring the conservation and enhancement of their significant natural and cultural heritage.
• Maintain and develop visitor infrastructure such as paths, car parks and interpretation in effective and safe condition.
• Manage the Ardess Bunkhouse as a commercial venture and as a volunteer base for work programmes.
• Oversee and deliver visitor engagement to ensure their visits are as inspiring, memorable and accessible.
• Plan, manage and deliver the operational budgets, maintaining full compliance with legal and Trust requirements.
• Strengthen financial sustainability through assessing and monitoring costs, identifying efficiencies and developing new opportunities for income.
• Lead and support the site team, currently including Ranger, Property Secretary/Cleaner/Housekeeper, Seasonal Ranger, Seasonal Visitor Services Assistant and volunteers.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with partners and stakeholders including LLTNP, NatureScot, graziers and licensees, neighbouring landowners and the local community.
• Promote wider understanding of the Trust’s work and the value of supporting its mission
• Respond to out of hours call outs for the Ardess bunkhouse as required.
• Recruit, induct, develop, motivate, and performance manage staff and volunteers to ensure they are equipped and motivated to undertake their duties to the required Trust standards, while maintaining staffing budgets.
• Instil a Health & Safety culture across the property, ensuring the teamwork within the properties’ ‘Safe System of Work’ to reduce risk of incidents and accidents to volunteers, employees and visitors.
• Ensure the Trust’s core aims are achieved namely, conservation, access and memorable visitor experiences for all visitors.
• Support the Operations Manager to develop and foster local-level stakeholder and client relationships specific to the properties.
• Ensure that lifelong learning is developed and promoted at the property through the visitor experiences we offer.
• Raise the profile of the property through local, regional and national marketing initiatives and social media.
• Take responsibility for building security, opening/closing procedures, emergency procedure implementation, duty management, and providing relief cover as required.
Full Time
Full-time and Permanent
Salary £52,406 – £60,809 per annum (pay award pending)
Plus generous benefits and hybrid / flexible working
About the role
We are looking for an ambitious and strategic Head of Development to lead the National Galleries of Scotland’s fundraising and philanthropic efforts at an exciting time for the organisation. This pivotal role will deliver our long-term strategy to increase our philanthropic income.
You will lead and shape the future of fundraising, supporting key major projects such as The Art Works and the Upper Mound Level Galleries (UMLG). You will play a central role in helping us achieve our target of raising £50 million over the next five years to 2030. This will come from multiple income streams, and a key challenge of the role will be to establish philanthropic income as the core of our regular income sources. Annual targets will be agreed in partnership with the Director General and Director of Audience and Development.
You will be an experienced fundraising professional who is entrepreneurial, innovative, and passionate about philanthropy. You will have a deep understanding of fundraising principles and methodology, with a proven record of turning strategy into action.
As a natural leader, you will motivate and develop a high-performing team, setting direction while coaching colleagues to deliver objectives and priorities. You will be confident in building meaningful relationships with senior supporters and inspiring them to invest in the vision and mission of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as you will represent NGS to key stakeholders, donors, and external partners.
This is a rare opportunity to join NGS at an exciting time, leading a programme of philanthropic growth that will have a lasting impact on Scotland’s national collections and ensure the galleries remain accessible, inspiring, and world-class for generations to come.
The difference you’ll make
The Development team is part of the Directorate of Audience and Development alongside, Marketing, Communications, Digital Content, Audience Insight, and the Trading Company. The Audience and Development directorate is responsible for overseeing the commercial and philanthropic income and promoting NGS to the widest possible public.
Reporting directly to the Director of Audience and Development, your responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
-Devising and implementing the fundraising strategy to significantly increase the sums raised for both revenue and capital projects.
-Working across the galleries with key stakeholders to create and develop suitable and achievable projects to attract funding, specifically working with the Leadership Team (LT) and Heads of Department.
Developing the pool of potential supporters, identifying, and accessing individual, corporate and trust prospects and developing personal relationships with senior and influential individuals likely to support the activities of NGS on an ongoing basis.
-Developing and coaching all colleagues in the team into ambitious, enthusiastic team colleagues driven by results.
-Managing a range of fundraising programmes and being proactive in delivering new fundraising programmes, from increasing gifts for visitors, legacies, and introducing new fundraising techniques.
Developing a comprehensive strategy for membership across the existing programmes of Patrons and American Patrons, with a view to increasing both the number of members and the number of people participating in annual giving.
-Ensuring that excellent fundraising administration supports the fundraising campaigns from database management, processing of donors and gift aid and detailed reporting to LT Income Group.
-Representing NGS as part of the management team at various external bodies about philanthropy, presenting fundraising strategies and annual plans to Trustees, senior management, and senior stakeholders.
Being ultimately responsible for research into potential donors, monitoring any gifts and corporate support and ensuring that there is no risk involved in acceptance.
-Overseeing the volunteer strategy for the organisation, ensuring ongoing alignment with overall organisational strategy and people strategy ensuring outcomes are delivered.
Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:
-A significant track record of successful professional fundraising, with demonstrable experience in areas of major gift fundraising, individual and trusts, membership fundraising and giving and corporate sponsorship.
-Excellent people management skills to motivate and inspire the team.
-A demonstrable understanding of the principles and methodology of fundraising.
Excellent project management skills, with ability to scope and implement projects.
-Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, from written reports, formal presentations and one to one meetings, with the ability to present the work of the institution succinctly and with enthusiasm. In particular, to demonstrate the ability to ask and secure gifts from senior supporters and to develop long term relationships with key donors.
– The ability to create a strategic approach to fundraising, engaging NGS staff, trustees, and volunteers.
An ability to manage a wide ranging and varied portfolio of projects, meeting tight deadlines and being flexible to meet new opportunities.
-A working knowledge of fundraising infrastructure including fundraising database (Spetrix), donor processing, and gift aid.
-An ability to monitor and evaluate the success of fundraising programmes and initiatives.
-An entrepreneurial approach, demonstrating creativity, innovation, and passion with regard to philanthropy.
It would also be great if you have:
-An interest in fine art and the cultural sector in general.
-Experience in working with press and marketing.
-Knowledge of digital fundraising.
-Good financial and accounting knowledge.
Please apply directly via our careers portal. Applications via email will not be accepted.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 02 December 2025.