Business Manager

The Board of Upland CIC is looking to appoint a dynamic and motivated Business Manager who is passionate about developing the art and craft sector in Dumfries & Galloway.

The core purpose of the role is to lead fundraising, oversee financial and governance functions, and support strategic growth, and provide leadership and support to the Upland staff team. This is a key role within the organisation, contributing directly to the sustainability and expansion of our progamme. The Business Manager will work closely with the Creative Director. The two posts will jointly share the overall management responsibility for Upland working closely together on organization, vision and strategy and overseeing budgets and finance, funding, reporting and governance.

The Business Manager will manage Upland’s financial affairs and general operations including human resources, and lead on issues of governance, policy and business planning.

The key elements of the role involve, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manage Upland’s financial affairs and general operations including human resources. Role of Company Secretary and administer the Board and its meetings.
• Responsible for line management of the Finance and Administration Officer (P/T)
• Liaise with the Company Accountant which is currently outsourced.
• Appoint/contracts for various freelancers
• Cover for the Creative Director during holidays and other periods of absence and allow cross over of responsibilities and duties as appropriate.
• Financial management, cash flow, forecasting and monitoring
• Business planning in conjunction with Creative Director and Board
• Grant and funding applications, particularly to our core funder Creative Scotland, together with identifying new sources of funding and sponsorship with local businesses
• Develop and implement sponsorship strategy and identify new funds
• Responsibility for governance, administering board meetings and returns to Companies House
• Review existing plans and policies and develop new policies as required
• Review and develop governance
• Human resources planning, management and training, recruitment and selection and staff contracts.
• Responsibility for General operational requirements including office management, information technology and office equipment, contracts, utilities, insurance, rent and building matters etc
• Responding to policy documents and consultations as appropriate
• Promote role of Upland to existing and new audiences and communities
• Occasional event set up & support.
• And any other responsibilities as agreed

Job Title: Business Manager

Salary: The salary is £34,000 FTE p/annum paid pro rata for 14 hours per week (with scope to increase to £36k FTE dependent on 2027/28 funding)

Contrat: An initial 21-month contract (1st July – 31st March 2028) with the intention to extend.

Probationary period: 3 months

Location: A combination of home working and in the Upland office at Gracefield Arts Centre, 28 Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1JQ

Responsible to: Chairperson & Upland Community Interest Company Board of Directors

Location: Dumfries and Galloway

For further information, please contact kat@weareupland.com (kat@weareupland.com), or call 0787120147, or visit https://www.weareupland.com/opportunities/job-opportunity-business-manager

The deadline is Tuesday 19 May 2026 at 09:00.