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.

Do you have a passion for developing funding opportunities to make a difference? Are you a natural leader who is skilled in managing a team who play an important part in organisational success? If so, we have a great opportunity for you to join Quarriers as Head of Business Development & Grants.

Your new opportunity

Quarriers have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Head of Business Development & Grants to work in partnership with our Associate Directors and Operational Managers to identify opportunities and develop new and existing services. You will manage and work closely with the Business Development & Grants team leading and implementing development strategies to support growth and funding for the overall organisation. You will play a key part in liaising with internal and external stakeholders and overseeing tender and funding opportunities including submissions.

As the Head of Business Development & Grants you will closely monitor and track potential tender opportunities including managing a portfolio of grants and funding aligned with department income and expenditure against budget and set targeted income.

This is a full-time permanent role working 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday) in line with our agile working policy, which blends home-working with office time and service visits.

What you will need to bring to the role

• Proven experience and understanding of implementing and managing business development strategies ideally within the social care/healthcare sector.
• An understanding of social care/healthcare service design.
• Skills in managing risk and business development with an understanding of the Grant funding landscape and innovative practice.
• Excellent IT knowledge and experience in using database systems.
• Extensive knowledge and experience at a senior level in a complex organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organisational skills to support strict deadlines and work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Previous experience of managing a team and delivering positive results.
• Driving licence is essential

What’s in it for you?

• Substantial holiday entitlement.
• Generous workplace pension.
• Family-friendly working policies and procedures.
• Life Assurance.
• Wider benefits including our Employee Assistance Programme, free physiotherapy & occupational health support.

Quarriers have Investors in People Platinum accreditation and are a Scottish Living Wage Employer

About Us

Quarriers is one of Scotland’s leading social care charities. We provide practical care and support for vulnerable children, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances. We challenge poverty and inequality of opportunity to bring about positive changes in people’s lives.

About Smart Works

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed. After visiting Smart Works, 69% of clients secure a job within a month, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

More information about who we are can be found on our website.

About the role

Smart Works is volunteer-powered and exists to empower all women who need help getting into work. As such, a fantastic opportunity has arisen for a proactive self-starter with outstanding leadership skills to take on the pivotal role of being the Head of Smart Works Scotland. Reporting to the Chair of the Trustee Board, the role is responsible for developing and delivering our core strategies and for the overall operation of our two centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

In practice, this involves leading a small staff team to thrive in their roles and deliver outstanding results, with direct line management responsibilities for 3 team members out of 8. It also includes representing our charity to a range of stakeholders across the region, contributing to our ambitious client targets and unlocking vital funds to deliver the Three Year Plan.

A major focus of this role will be to deliver, and support team members to aid delivery, of our annual fundraising target (c. £400k) via, grants and trusts, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and identifying new income streams.

The Head of Smart Works Scotland must build strong working relationships with the staff team and Board of Trustees, foster excellent collaborations with a variety of stakeholders and have significant experience across multiple fundraising streams.

Whilst the successful individual will be supported by the Chair, Board of Trustees and colleagues in other centres, they will be expected to work autonomously and confidently in carrying out their duties. There may be occasional evening and weekend work in order to support fundraising, networking and key events as required.

The role will be based in our Edinburgh or Glasgow centre, and flexible working options are available.

If you are passionate about supporting women, are flexible, have excellent organisation and prioritisation skills and can liaise confidently and successfully with a broad range of stakeholders, then this is an ideal opportunity.

Duties and responsibilities

• Leading a staff team of 8 across two centres, ensuring all team members are thriving in their roles and continuing to develop their skills.
• Supporting each direct report with project deliverables and identifying continuous improvement opportunities in our ways of working.
• Oversee the smooth running of both centres, ensuring all client and service delivery targets are on track and all protocols such as safeguarding and governance are adhered to.
• Setting and delivering our core strategies, across all functional areas.
• Working with various staff members on targeted campaigns and corporate partnerships, providing guidance and support on the annual fundraising target c. £400k via our three revenue streams - Corporate, Community and Events, Grants and Trusts.
• Manage the day-to-day costs of the budget, contributing to timely process reconciliation with the Board Treasurer and Group Finance Team.
• Delivering financial activities to target, maintaining an up to date database with relevant income tracking and pipeline information to facilitate regular financial reporting to the Board of Trustees and timely process reconciliation with the Board Treasurer and Group Finance team.
• Supporting the team to raise awareness of our charity and increase our supporter community through social media campaigns and in-person events throughout the year.

Personal Specification

Essential Criteria

• Outstanding interpersonal and team management / leadership skills.
• Significant experience of generating income from a variety of sources, including Events, Trusts, Foundations, Community and Corporate sponsorship.
• Demonstrable experience of securing new business and onboarding new partnerships.
• Experience of managing four figure+ partnerships across the following activities: employee fundraising, sponsorship, commercial or grants.
• A strong networker, with relationship management experience across seniority levels and sectors.
• Strong presentation skills, with prior experience delivering engaging sessions to large audiences.
• Experience of balancing changing priorities and responding to delivery needs.
• Proactive approach to problem solving, with an entrepreneurial attitude towards fundraising strategy.
• Ability to work autonomously and also have a strong team focus and ethic.
• Good working knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, CRM systems.
• Target driven, with excellent organisation and time management skills to meet deadlines and monthly / quarterly KPIs.

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of the employment and skills landscape in Scotland.
• Experience of working collaboratively with volunteer teams and / or in the not for profit sector.
• Financially aware, able to interpret basic financial accounts for reporting purposes.