Charity registered in Scotland SC048639
About Norton Park
Norton Park SCIO is a charity and social enterprise that provides high quality, affordable office accommodation and meeting spaces for the voluntary sector and wider community. nortonpark.org
Norton Park is at an exciting point in its development. We are about to develop a new and ambitious strategy that will build on our success and improve our offer to stakeholders from the voluntary sector and local community.
Role
We are seeking three individuals to join our Board. We are open to anyone with an interest in, and enthusiasm for, our work. On this occasion we also have a particular interest in those with significant experience of the voluntary and community sectors in Edinburgh, and those with experience in promotion and marketing.
This is an unpaid position; however reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed.
The Board is currently made up of five members and meets six times per year (including AGM and Strategy Day).
We are currently seeking an individual to take on the role of Chair of Board.
The role of Chair offers a varied and challenging opportunity for someone keen to shape the future of the charity. We are coming to the end of our current strategic plan and beginning to think about the next five years and how best to develop, adapt and grow to meet the current workplace needs of our sector and develop a centre that serves our community.
The Chair will provide leadership that will enable the charity to achieve its mission and strategic goals, enable the Board to fulfil its duties and responsibilities and ensure the charity is governed effectively. Furthermore, the Chair will support the Chief Executive Officer and be a powerful advocate for the charity.
This is an unpaid position; however reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed.
The Board is currently made up of 6 members and typically meets six times per year (including AGM and Strategy Day). Additionally, the Chair will hold regular meetings with the CEO.
Top job! Chief Executive Officer
- Full time
- TBC
- Norton Park Business and Conference Centre
- Closing 5th May 2022
Norton Park SCIO is an independent registered Scottish Charity (SCO48639). It was established in 2019 as the successor body to the Albion Trust (SCO22661) which was formed in 1994 to establish Norton Park, a former Primary School building in Edinburgh, as the first ‘green’, environmentally friendly, shared office premises for third sector organisations in Scotland.
After successfully developing the Norton Park offices the Trust took ownership of the adjacent church buildings in Albion Road and set about converting them to conference, training and meeting spaces. This was successfully completed in 2010.
The development activity took a sustainable route, ensuring all works were carried out to the highest environmental standards, that the business model was viable, and that people were consulted and their needs included. This model has proven to be successful and the business continues to be financially secure, with higher levels of customer satisfaction and a continuing commitment to the environment in all that they do.
The Trust is governed by a board of trustees and employs a team of staff to manage the facility and to deliver the Trusts strategy. The Trust also oversees the work of Albion Equity Limited, a Scottish company Limited by shares, which owns the Norton Park office and conference centre.
The vision is that Norton Park is a good place to be. The mission is to support Third Sector organisations by providing good quality affordable facilities that also contribute to community life, by providing space for community participation.
Due to retirement the charity is now searching for its next CEO to build on the fantastic work of the last several years and further evolve the services and footprint of the Norton Park model.
Although this is a full time position, consideration will be given to suitably qualified candidates looking to work four days a week.
Key Skills and Experience
- A confident, engaging and influential self-starter with a passion for making a difference in the social development sector
- A strategic thinker, with experience of operating at a senior level within the Third Sector
- An organised, flexible and target-driven individual with experience of setting, maintaining and reporting on budgets and financial plans
- A passion for developing and nurturing relationships both within and outside of the organisation.
- Well-developed project management skills and experience of managing the operations and facilities of buildings occupied by third parties (tenants)
- An ability to oversee effective management of the organisations day to day financial affairs along with experience in setting, maintaining and reporting on budgets and financial plans.
Main Tasks/Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Governance
- To work with the Board to develop and implement the Strategic Plan and associated policies of the SCIO
- To draw up and monitor specific project plans and proposals with clear budgets and timescales, reflecting the longer term objectives of the Strategic Plan
- To provide information/advice to the Board in developing and changing strategy
- To keep abreast of current policy, political and social issues likely to affect the workings of the SCIO
Staff Management
- To manage and lead staff of eight colleagues
- To develop internal structures for staff support and management, with a strong focus on training and development
- To promote a team/community culture
- To maintain awareness of staff in key areas such as health and safety and cyber/digital security
Management
- To efficiently and effectively oversee the operations of the estate buildings and facilities
- To manage communication with the tenant group and their clients
- To develop and oversee the management of the conference and meeting room facilities
- To seek continuous reductions’ in carbon, improvements in environmental performance and work towards achieving net zero target.
Financial
- To set, manage and report on budgets and financial performance - including interpretation and application of key financial information
- To ensure that Norton Park SCIO financial guidelines and practices are adhered to
- To seek external funding and grant opportunities for future growth and development.
Operational
- To ensure the security of the Norton Park SCIO estate at all times
- To take responsibility for reviewing, monitoring and evaluating the core and project work of the Trust
Reporting
- To prepare papers for the Board, Extra-ordinary General Meetings and AGMs
- To re-write plans/reports as required
- To business manage Board Meetings
Consultation
- To draft written responses to government documents and policies on behalf of the Board
- To consult Trust tenants on all relevant issues
Promotion
- To promote and market the organisation, its success and facilities
- To maintain and develop a digital presence
- To develop links with the community to play a positive role in enabling their full participation in civic life.
Policy Development
- To write and review policy and practice guidelines for the organisation
- To maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes in legislation and policy which affects the organisation and the management of staff/ volunteers
- Advise the Board of Policy issues
Salary and Benefits
Competitive salary (available upon request) commensurate with background and experience.
Initially 22 days holiday per annum with added days subject to review. Plus 9 public holidays and 2 floating days over the festive period.
The Trust operates a contributory pension scheme via an external provider
We are seeking a new Trustee/Treasurer to join our charity.
We are a small and friendly charity established in 1994 specifically to develop the Norton Park complex which includes a former school building and adjacent church complex as an office and conference centre for the third sector. We now manage the site as affordable, accessible, high-quality office and meeting space for benefit of the third sector. We also make our space available for community use out of hours.
The role of trustee offers a varied and challenging opportunity for people who want to shape the future of the Trust. As a member of the board, you will be asked to make your ideas and influence count at meetings and stakeholder events. You will be expected to be an advocate of the Trust’s work and promote our business at public events. As a new trustee, we will support you in the role through induction and training.
In this instance we are looking for a trustee with financial experience to take on the role of treasurer of the board.
We are especially keen to broaden the diversity of our Board.