We're on the lookout for a Venture Support Manager to join The Ventures Lab team at The Challenges Group.

This role is at Senior Manager level and part of our senior team in Scotland, reporting to the Chief Executive.

Download the full recruitment pack below or from our website:thechallengesgroup.com/jobs

About us:

Challenges Group is an international enterprise development organisation which improves organisational capabilities through learning and leadership development for people and strengthening enterprises and their ecosystems. The Ventures Lab by Challenges Group provides an inclusive, supportive path for aspiring or early-stage entrepreneurs to bring their purpose-led businesses to life.

thechallengesgroup.com | theventureslab.com

University of Strathclyde Student Association (‘Strath Union’) has been the beating heart of activity for students on the Strathclyde campus since 1964 and exists to connect all students to ensure everyone can thrive whilst studying at the University of Strathclyde.

Consistently ranked as the number one Student Union in Scotland, according to What Uni’s Student Choice Awards (WUSCA), we are currently one of ten Student Unions, across the UK, shortlisted for WUSCA’s 2024 Student Association of the Year and recently won both UK and Scottish NUS awards for overall employee satisfaction, liberation & equality and community and solidarity. As an organisation, we are bold, ambitious, and innovative much like the University and the 25,000+ students it supports.

We are looking for a new Chief Executive who not only lives our values but can lead the organisation through its next phase of growth and change. It is imperative that we continue to meet both the current and future needs of students, building a strong sense of community and ensuring the student voice remains prevalent and reflects the needs, wants and desires of an ever-changing and evolving student body. As our Chief Executive, you will also ensure the continued financial sustainability of the organisation by identifying opportunities to diversify income aligned to our core mission of connecting students so everyone can thrive.

This is a unique opportunity to work alongside student leaders, a highly effective staff team and senior staff at the University of Strathclyde to deliver meaningful change and further enhance the student experience and ultimately ensure every student is supported in their wellbeing and their learning so they get the most out of their time with the university. The university has recently launched its 2030 Strategy and we are looking for our new Chief Executive to work with our Board to develop the Union’s new strategic plan that will look to the next 5 years of growth and development.

As an innovative, solutions-focused, and inspiring leader, you will be able to demonstrate a proven track record in the development and delivery of strategic and operational business plans to achieve an organisation’s vision. With strong stakeholder management experience coupled with a proven track record in building and maintaining a wide range of collaborative relationships and partnerships, the successful candidate will also bring the desire to support and act as a mentor to elected Student Union Officers to build and develop their knowledge and experience in terms of managing/running an effective organisation.

If you are excited by the opportunity to join an ambitious and award-winning organisation and share our passion to support and empower all Strathclyde students to unleash their potential and therefore thrive at university and beyond, we would welcome your application.

The Young Women’s Movement is Scotland's national organisation for young women and girls' leadership and rights.

Young women are at the heart of everything we do and we work collectively to equip with them the resources, networks and platforms to lead meaningful change and create a more equal society.

We exist because we believe in a society where young women and girls’ needs and rights are fully met. We will continue to strive until that society is secured.

To help us achieve this, the role of Head of Programmes & Operations has been created to:

• To lead the Operations and Finance functions of the Young Women’s Movement to provide effective, efficient and business-focused support that drives our work into the future
• To innovate, deliver and grow high quality feminist programmes and initiatives across Scotland that are led by the voices, experiences and needs of young women and girls

Everyone who works at Young Women’s Movement:

• Has equality at the heart of everything they do
• Takes a participatory approach to our work. We are for young women and by young women
• Builds communities of friendship and support networks, finding joy in our collective actions and connections
• Understands the impact of challenging inequality on those most affected by it. We lead with kindness and empathy, putting collective wellbeing at the core of our organisation
• Delivers our work with integrity and are proud of the work we do
• Is bold and brave. We do not shy away from challenging the status quo and taking radical steps to make gender equality a reality in Scotland

How you'll help to create a fairer Scotland for young women and girls:

Leadership and Governance

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to the leadership and delivery of the Young Women’s Movement strategic and operational goals
• Lead and inspire the Collective Voice & Action; Learning and Engagement and Business and Finance Team’s workload and activities, including direct line management of the Collective Voice & Action Lead; Learning & Engagement Lead; Business & Finance Coordinator
• Work with the CEO, Treasurer and external accountant on the Management Accounts for the quarterly Finance Subcommittee; and contribute towards papers for the Quarterly Board meetings
• Support the CEO with contributions to the overall organisation strategy and development
• Within your areas of responsibility and supporting the wider organisation, ensure compliance with all related policies and procedures e.g. HMRC, Pensions Regulator, Companies House & OSCR
• Provide additional management cover when necessary

Operational Management

• Work with the CEO, Leads and young women to develop and expand our existing programmes and ensure we are constantly innovating in programme and product development to meet the needs of the young women we support
• Replicate and expand existing programmes across Scotland whilst also adopting a proactive and strategic approach to developing new and innovative programmes
• Develop excellent relationships with the YWM team and the young women we work with to drive positive outcomes and ensure our work is led by the experiences, voices and needs of young women
• Support the Leads with strategic planning for the Collective Voice & Action; Learning and Engagement and Business and Finance Team’s team including the setting and monitoring of objectives and targets
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation activity for the Collective Voice & Action; Learning and Engagement and Business and Finance Teams

Finance

• Work with the CEO to set, manage and monitor organisation and project budgets
• Work with budget holders to manage and monitor budget lines and authorised expenditure within delegated limits and YWM financial policies and procedures
• Work collaboratively with the CEO and Business and Finance Coordinator to ensure a strong synergy between organisational planning and financial and resource sustainability
• Lead on the annual production and audit of the organisation’s statutory accounts, including preparation and completion of the statutory accounts in accordance with charity and accounting standards, and submission of annual returns to the Charity Commission and Companies House
• Oversight of the charity’s investments; including providing regular and timely advice to the Board on investment management and delivery

HR, Culture and People

Overseeing HR strategies, HR compliance, and ensuring HR strategies that mean our team are supported, skilled, and developed

• Maintain and develop strong cross-team relationships within YWM
• Using external experts as required, co-ordinate and interpret advice on any human resource issues arising
• Support the Business & Finance Coordinator to ensure the consistent delivery and quality of HR processes including staff recruitment, induction and development, monthly payroll and pensions, annual objectives and professional development plans

IT, Administration and Business

• Oversee the YWM’s information management, incorporating legal and regulatory requirements (GDPR), data security, and use of data and insight to deliver the objectives of the movement
• Ensure implementation of YWM’s Activity and Organisational Health and Safety policies and processes in line with legislation
• General office management oversight

Other

• Keep up to date with the latest developments in the charity, political and commercial sectors and identify key opportunities for YWM
• Undertake any other duties that occasionally arise

Let’s talk about you - you will already have or be working towards:

Essential:

• A good standard of education in relevant field OR demonstrable equivalent skills through continued professional development
• A track record of delivering organisational plans as part of a management team
• An understanding of the issues facing young women, especially those facing the greatest inequalities and at risk from systemic discrimination
• Excellent relationship management skills and experience of line management and professional development
• Professional expertise to implement team strategy and a strong track record of efficient and effective delivery of objectives
• Previous experience of effectively setting, managing and monitoring budgets (annual budgets exceeding £500k preferable)
• The ability to work independently and to deal with often complex and non-routine issues
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, using a solution-focused approach
• A flexible and adaptable approach with the ability to operate and prioritise within a constantly evolving environment where targets and deadlines may change
• Commitment to own continuing professional development

Desirable

• Experience of working in women-only spaces with a focus on young women and girls
• Experience of working in a similar role in a charity or not-for-profit environment
• Advanced skills in MS Excel, Word, Customer Relationship Management System (CRM) and finance software - Xero desirable
• Experience of managing an HR function - BreatheHR desirable
• Experience in and understanding of good charity governance
• Experience of participatory models of working with young women and/or youth work experience
• Knowledge and understanding of feminist themes within equity, diversity and inclusion and the roles a support function plays in this

Why you should want to work with us!

• We operate a 4-day working week, which means full-time is 28 hours
• We offer flexible working options and patterns, including the option to work hybrid from anywhere in Scotland (our co-working space is in Edinburgh)
• Our annual leave entitlement is 28 days a year, including public holidays
• We provide 1 additional day of annual leave for your birthday (or to take another time that you would like to celebrate)
• All staff members are enrolled in our Employer Life Assurance Scheme
• You can access a range of benefits and discounts through our life assurance app.
• We are committed to supporting staff development through training and coaching opportunities
• Wellbeing and mental health support are a priority, all of our staff can access counselling through our EAP provider.
• We have a number of feminist policies to support our staff e.g. fertility and menopause policies
• You’ll be joining a team that will embrace your ideas and support and encourage you to bring your whole self to work

Due to the nature of our work with children and young people, successful applicants will be required to undergo a disclosure check through the PVG Scheme.

At The Young Women’s Movement we are an intergenerational team and we value and celebrate diversity. We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Don't meet every single requirement?

Studies show that women and Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic people are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within The Young Women’s Movement family.