Purpose of the role

To be responsible for the operational management, strategic direction and ethos of The Welcoming and the positive impact of all aspects of its work. To ensure a sustainable funding portfolio, lead and manage staff and liaise with and report to its Board of Trustees to ensure that all projects achieve their outcomes.

About us

The Welcoming Association Edinburgh supports migrants and refugees to build positive lives, achieve their potential, have choices and fully participate in society. We are known for our deep commitment to being a place of welcome, and for providing a responsive, accessible, high quality service to enable newcomers to learn new skills, make local friends and learn about and participate in life in Scotland.

Our vision is delivered though a range of programmes spanning drop-in English classes, befriending schemes, accessible fitness sessions, environmental sustainability and employability skills development. Volunteers and participants play a central part in influencing the direction and activities at The Welcoming. We work in partnership with government, universities and NGOs in Edinburgh and beyond. For example, we partner the City of Edinburgh Council Refugee and Migration Programme team and Saheliya in the delivery of the Syrian Resettlement Programme.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join The Welcoming Association Edinburgh. We are building on eight years of consistent growth and are developing new initiatives for the future. The new Director will play an important strategic leadership role to take the organisation into its next stage, working alongside a high calibre Board of 10 Trustees, a highly capable and motivated staff team of 8 FTE and 180 dedicated volunteers. The role will work in close partnership with the Associate Director to build on the culture, values, learning and networks built over the past decade, and bring in fresh energy, ideas and perspectives. A detailed job description is attached.

About you

We are looking for a dynamic, experienced and highly skilled leader with the vision and ability to

• shape the future of the Welcoming Association,
• promote our programmes to funding partners,
• deliver fundraising goals,
• empower and develop staff and volunteers to deliver our activities
• develop new programmes including social enterprise aspects.

The successful candidate will be a deeply principles and values based leader, driven by enthusiasm for empowering newcomers to achieve their potential and commitment to the values of welcoming, equality, respect, creativity and learning. The post holder will demonstrate the capacity for positive external liaison - working collaboratively with existing government, agency and charity partners in Edinburgh and seizing opportunities to develop new relationships.

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level or appropriate equivalent, evidence of commitment to continuous personal and professional development
• Extensive experience in organisational development in a leadership role, applying creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking
• Strong track record of identifying and securing funding, developing effective strategic partnerships and generating sustainable income, evidence of successful programme and financial management
• Ability to lead and motivate staff and volunteers, manage change and resolve conflicts to the benefit of all
• Excellent communication and presentation skills including proposal writing, evaluation and reporting, digital literacy and social media strategy
• Experience in working with vulnerable groups, in-depth understanding of migrant and refugee issues, commitment to the vision and the values of The Welcoming

Desirable criteria

• Hands on experience working with local communities, migrants, refugees and minority ethnic communities
• Training or qualification in education, social work, coaching and mentoring, leadership, community development or similar
• Knowledge of voluntary sector and community organisations across Edinburgh, Scotland and internationally
• Fluency in one of Edinburgh’s main community languages
• Willingness to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends