Advertised from 25 May 2026

Role

Lesmahagow Development Trust is entering a landmark three-year period of growth. Supported by the Scottish Government’s Strengthening Communities Programme, we are moving beyond traditional grant-funded delivery toward a model of long-term economic independence and community-led infrastructure.

We are seeking a visionary Community Economic Development Lead to architect the long-term growth of Lesmahagow. You will act as a strategic catalyst, transforming community aspirations into a robust economic development plan and securing the high-level investment required to deliver ambitious, large-scale infrastructure and resilience projects.

You will lead the creation of a Community Economic Development Plan, identifying high-impact capital projects and bringing them to life.

Key Deliverables:

• Strategy development: author and drive the "Lesmahagow Economic Development Plan," identifying high-impact opportunities for promoting economic growth and participation in the local area, or to promote community wealth building.
• Project management: lead the "options appraisal" and feasibility stages for ambitious community economic projects.
• Stakeholder engagement: act as the primary interface between the Trust and regional/national bodies and facilitate high-level community and business engagement to ensure that development projects reflect local needs and enjoy broad public support. 
• Impact monitoring: establish frameworks to measure the social and economic step-change achieved through Trust activities, providing data for the Board and SCP funders.

Essential Criteria:

• Strategic leadership: proven experience in designing or leading local economic development, regeneration, or community planning initiatives.
• Project catalysis: a track record of taking complex projects from initial concept through to business case or funding-ready status.
• Political & professional acumen: experience in managing partnerships across the public and private sectors, with the ability to influence decision-makers.
• Autonomy: ability to work with minimal supervision, setting one's own milestones and providing high-level strategic advice to the Board of Trustees.
• Advanced communication: exceptional ability to translate complex strategic goals into compelling narratives for grant applications and public consultations.

Desirable Criteria:

• Regional knowledge: existing networks within the South Lanarkshire economic landscape or the Scottish Third Sector.
• Capital funding expertise: success in securing significant capital grants (e.g., Scottish Land Fund, RCGF).
• Data literacy: proficiency in interpreting socio-economic data to justify strategic interventions.

Application notes

Please submit a CV and a cover letter detailing your suitability for your chosen role(s) to info@lesmahagowdevtrust.com

Note that in parallel we are advertising for a Business Manager. There is the opportunity to apply to both roles and perform as a combined full time role assuming the candidate can demonstrate the required essential and desirable criteria for both roles. 

Closing Date: 26.6.26