Do you believe in the power of data to improve people’s lives and know that working with the public is vital to our mission? Research Data Scotland needs you!

We have an exciting opportunity to work in a multifaceted Business Management role to support the delivery of exemplary governance and operational excellence. This role works with stakeholders at every level in our organisation and as such we are looking to appoint a highly motivated and conscientious individual.

About us

Research Data Scotland (RDS) is a charity set up by the Scottish public sector and leading universities. We help researchers find and make use of data that can improve the lives of people in Scotland. Working in partnership, we do this by widening the range of data available, creating new data assets and providing a single point of contact for safe, secure and effective access to public data in a trustworthy manner.

Data is often locked away in lots of individual systems, across many different organisations, and isn’t in a format that makes access or integration easy. We can help researchers to unlock the potential of this data by giving them information and advice that speeds up and simplifies their work.

RDS aims to provide a step change in the service to researchers, whilst maintaining the high standards of information governance and data security already in place. We aim to work as openly as possible, maintaining standards in transparency and ethics. Our focus is on providing a streamlined service for researchers, as well as extending the range of data available through the service, particularly in the areas of Covid-19, NHS imaging, geospatial data, children and justice services.

Our partners include: Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, National Records of Scotland (NRS), and the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. We work closely with the national and regional safe havens. And we are in contact with other organisations in Scotland and across the UK in the data research sector, including public sector, research and commercial bodies.

About the job

The Business Manager will work closely with the Chair, CEO and Operations Director to manage, coordinate and schedule the regular cycle of our governance and business activities. This will include coordinating board meetings as well as maintaining our internal registers and ensuring our reporting mechanisms are top-notch! This post will be highly varied and vital to the successful delivery of our Business and Delivery plans.

There is a strong focus on developmental projects, operational risk, records management, governance, improving our performance and delivering our day-to-day charity operations. You’ll be an important member of our Operations Team, sharing your expertise with colleagues and board members, as well as independently leading on activities.

Reports to Operations Director

About you

You are a self-starter, with experience of working with stakeholders at every level. You’ll understand the importance of engaging well with board members, senior leaders and your colleagues to get their input into your work and support great governance. You are highly organised and thrive on managing multiple projects with different deadlines. You are keen to deliver, with an eye for detail and the pragmatism to understand our context and environment.

Life at RDS

We are a small friendly and highly engaged team of people. We promote continuous learning and work hard to build an inclusive and supportive workplace culture. We live our values of; integrity, transparency, courage, collaboration and humility.

Our people typically work a 35-hour week, with hybrid working on offer from day one. You can choose to work flexibly from home or use one of our desks in the Bayes Centre in central Edinburgh. The whole RDS team meets one day per month in-person in Edinburgh or at an off-site away day in the Central Belt. Individual teams organise their own in-person days to collaborate, develop and socialise together.

We offer 33 days’ annual leave (including public holidays) and have no set closure days. We have a generous pension and enhanced pay for parental/adoption leave. This list of benefits is being added to as the organisation develops, and you can help shape it as part of the team. Our Culture Group helps us seek feedback from colleagues across the organisation to make RDS an even better place to work.

Reporting Relationship

The Director of Operations reports to the CEO, and attends all Board meetings.

Overall Purpose

The Director of Operations is responsible for governance and operations for Edinburgh City Mission. With specific oversight of finance, fundraising, IT, HR, communications, building management and governance; including Data Protection; Safeguarding and Health & Safety. As such, they lead & line manage the Operations team and will regularly report to the Board on all aspects of their role.

Hours of Employment

35 hours a week, worked flexibly with at least 4 days a week in the office. Hours will vary due to occasional staff meetings, training, events, etc.

Occupational requirement

Edinburgh City Mission is committed to sharing the Christian gospel with the people of Edinburgh. It is essential that every member of the team personally own, communicate and implement the aims and objectives of the Mission, sharing the Mission’s core beliefs and values to the public. Therefore there is a requirement for the post-holder to be an evangelical Christian.

Way of working: you are expected to:

• Actively participate in the life of the Edinburgh City Mission team.
• Act in a professional manner at all times.
• Work in accordance with the Aims and Values of Edinburgh City Mission.

Job Details

Operations, IT and Communications:

• Line manage the Operations team (currently 4 FTE)
• Responsible for assessing Edinburgh City Mission’s IT and other technology needs and sourcing these as required.
• Provide ongoing management of technology needs.
• Provide strategic direction of communications channels (content to be shaped by CEO)

Health & safety and building management:

• Manage the office facilities at Washington Lane
• Responsible for negotiating and managing business contracts, services and leases of equipment.
• As Health and Safety Officer, develop, maintain and report on health and safety policies and procedures for both the office and the outreach teams.
• Manage and report any health and safety incidents appropriately.
• Oversee investment property

Fundraising & finance:

• Oversee the day to day finance operation of the charity.
• In liaison with the Finance Trustee, draft and manage the budget and accounts for auditing.
• Oversee the payment of bills, invoices, expense claims, payroll processing etc.
• Oversee the reconciliation of the accounts and tracking of income & expenditure of funds (using Xero)
• Oversee the implementation of the fundraising strategy & manage the fundraising team
• Oversee organisation wide event management

Governance:

• As safeguarding officer, you are responsible for developing, implementing and reviewing the organisation’s safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the most recent laws and regulations.
• Respond to safeguarding issues, providing advice and support to staff and liaising where appropriate with the Local Authority and other relevant agencies.
• Named contact for the VSDS Disclosure Scotland scheme, overseeing the PVG scheme for all relevant staff and volunteers involved in regulated work.
• As data protection officer you will ensure all personal data within Edinburgh City Mission is gathered, stored and processed in line with current legislation.
• Manage and report on key risks within the organisation.
• Keep up to date with charitable governance requirements, informing the Board of any changes before they are implemented.

HR

• Oversee the HR function
• Ensure strategic alignment between overall vision, finance and people plans

Changes to the above may be made by the Board, with prior notice, in discussion with the post-holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful post holder will have evidence of these characteristics:

Essential:

• Knowledge of Scottish charitable governance
• Experience of working in the charitable sector
• Team management experience
• Able to develop and implement strategic plans but also respond to rapidly changing situations
• Able to work collaboratively, understanding the complex needs of a range of stakeholders
• Experience of reporting to a Board of Trustees
• Evangelical Christian and actively involved in a church
• Enthusiastic about the aims of Edinburgh City Mission

Preferred:

• Professional level qualification in one of Finance, IT, HR or other operational area

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join Humanist Society Scotland as our Head of Ceremonies.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to be involved in far-reaching wedding, funeral and naming services across the entire country. Over one million people in Scotland attend a humanist ceremony every year and this role holder has a unique opportunity to shape how these services are delivered across a wide range of communities the length and breadth of Scotland.

As the Head of Ceremonies, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of our ceremonies department, ensuring seamless operations, maintaining high standards, and fostering relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

We are especially interested in hearing from someone who has experience in strategic development of marketing and promoting services.

As a highly motivated self-directed individual you will manage a network of over 140 celebrants and line manage two support staff. We are seeking someone with considerable people management skills and a strong knowledge of marketing and promotion to direct and ensure delivery of growing the current demand and market share for our services.

In order to avoid conflict of interest and as this role has key management responsibilities in overseeing the delivery of all of our ceremony services this role holder cannot also hold a position as a celebrant. Individuals who are interested in becoming a celebrant can register their interest here instead.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee Day-to-Day Operations:

• Provide guidance and support to the ceremonies support team, including line management of two staff.
• Maintaining strong relationships with key contractors such as our celebrant trainers, emergency out of hours support and celebrant area officers.

• Budget Management:

• Ensure good oversight and planning of related budgets including delegating responsibilities to members of team where appropriate

• Promotional Plan:

• Developing and implementing business plans for sustainable growth, based on sound research and analysis of the competitive markets and future opportunities and then creating and implementing strategies to grow the business.
• Utilise various marketing channels and techniques to reach target audiences effectively.

New Celebrant Recruitment:

• Oversee recruitment and training provision for new celebrants working closely with our trainers.
• Working with our celebrant network to develop meaningful mentoring relationships for new celebrants.
• Ensure feedback from trainees helps further develop and improve our training.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Coordination:

• Coordinate ongoing CPD opportunities for celebrants, including organising gatherings and training sessions to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Reviews Oversight:

• Oversee and coordinate professional reviews of ceremonies.

Complaints Management:

• Address and resolve complaints from clients in a timely and professional manner.

Relationships with External Stakeholders:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including funeral directors, wedding venues and other relevant partners.
• Collaborate with external partners to expand our celebrant network and reach new audiences.
• Sharing best practices and learning from professional networks of other humanist leaders and groups.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in a leadership role, preferably within service delivery. This could be in the public, private or third sector.
• Previous professional success in creating a meaningful promotional and marketing strategy to help increase market share.
• Ability to proactively anticipate emerging trends and threats and apply business intelligence to react in response.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritise effectively.
• Sound people management skills including the ability to handle delicate issues such as bereavement, complaints and conflict resolution.
• Strong customer service experience both internal stakeholder facing and external public facing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated proficiency in budget management.
• Independent work ethic with ability to self motivate and direct including ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and an understanding of GDPR principles.
• Has strong experience of ensuring that decisions are data-driven and evidence led.
• Is a committed team player and is used to collaborative working throughout the organisation.
• Good knowledge of humanist principles and practices.
• Professional experience of the wedding or funeral industries would be desirable but not essential.

Join our team and contribute to creating meaningful and memorable ceremonies that celebrate life and humanist values. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you!

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