The HR Booth is supporting our client The Ferret Media Ltd in recruiting for a Business Manager.

The Ferret Media Ltd is an award-winning multimedia cooperative based in Scotland producing independent, not-for-profit, investigative journalism that holds power to account and empowers its readers. Formed in 2015 to provide a sustainable platform for original investigative journalists, we are looking for a part-time (3 days per week) business manager to partner with our co-editors, ensure the smooth running of the business and to support our ongoing development.

About the role

The business manager role looks after many of the non-editorial duties required to run The Ferret, partnering with the co-editors and the board on elements such as fund development and co-publishing agreements. This includes:

• BUSINESS PLAN & BUDGET - Lead the development of the business plan and budget, collaborating closely with the staff and board to agree a plan and track progress throughout the year.
• FUNDING & OTHER INCOME GENERATION - Help identify funding opportunities and track progress on applications and responses. This could include completing grant applications or supporting journalists applying for project-specific funding, as well as identifying opportunities for board members to assist where useful. Assist in reporting for grants.
• MEMBERSHIP - Initiate and lead membership recruitment campaigns and work with staff and board to deliver the AGM and other member events as needed. Support the organisation to develop a membership strategy that can be implemented across operations and editorial teams.
• OPERATIONS - Manage contracts for co-publishing deals, ensure financial tasks like invoices and accountants are managed, and other administrative tasks as required.
• COMMUNICATIONS - Act as a point of contact for non-editorial communications for the organisation, resolving queries directly or referring them to the appropriate part of the business as required. Collaborate with co-editors, operational lead, and social lead to streamline communications where possible.
• MONTHLY & ANNUAL REPORTING - Work with operations and financial leads to ensure organisational performance reporting is tracked and shared with board and staff. This includes financials, membership, and reach and engagement of content.
• BOARD SUPPORT - Support the board of directors, including the coordination and production of papers for discussion, occasionally attending/presenting to the board (4-6 times per year)

While The Ferret is non-hierarchical, each role in the organisation is supported by an assigned line manager, in this case the chair of the operations committee.

Person specification

Essential experience

• Good understanding of the media landscape and passion for independent journalism.
• Demonstrable experience managing projects and using influence to keep things on track.
• Demonstrable track record of successful fundraising, ideally in the context of media and a member-led organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, confident in working with a broad range of people.
• Experience of financial management
• Competent with Google Suite and other cloud tools such as Slack and Trello.
• Self-starter, entrepreneurial mindset, able to work with minimal supervision.
• Experience of organising events.
• Ability to work from home.
• Commitment to promoting equality, inclusion and diversity across the organisation.

Desirable experience

• Experience developing membership growth and engagement strategies.
• Experience supporting a voluntary board working in a related sector, such as media, non-profits, social enterprises or co-operatives.
• Experience administering accounting and HR software.

Our Values

We are a value-driven organisation. We believe in transparency, we treasure accuracy and our journalism is non-partisan. Our new business manager will need to have a clear understanding of our culture, and a shared belief in the importance of what we are trying to do, and the way we are trying to do it.

In return we offer the chance to be part of a dynamic and driven organisation at a critical and exciting time in our development, with the potential to help shape the future of the media in Scotland.

Our Offer

This is a rolling freelance contract, for three days a week at a day rate of £135 per day (£35,100 pro-rata). The successful candidate will work as a contractor, with 18 days paid holidays, travel expenses and sick leave. The Ferret also provides an annual home working allowance.

The position is remote, though there is a community newsroom in Glasgow where team members can work. The team will meet in person in Scotland (usually Glasgow or Edinburgh) quarterly. Reasonable travel expenses for in-person meetings can be reimbursed. Team members must have permission to work in the UK as The Ferret cannot provide sponsorship.

Established in 2018, Moray Rape Crisis provides specialist therapeutic support, information and advocacy for young people and adults of all genders, aged 11 and over, in the Moray area, who have experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives, including rape, sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. We also work directly with young people in schools and youth settings, and with strategic partners, towards preventing sexual violence.

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Young People’s Therapeutic Support Worker to help deliver our ‘Rise Up’ project, a specialist support service for young people aged 11 to 18 in Moray who are affected by sexual violence and abuse. The post-holder will provide trauma-informed therapeutic support, advocacy and groupwork for young people.

Venture Scotland offers an outdoor-based personal development programme which empowers young people aged 16-30, who face complex and difficult challenges in their lives and want help to change.

We focus on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of our Young People, working with them to make lasting changes to their lives and helping them play a positive role in their communities.

We are seeking an Outreach and Support Worker, who identifies with our values of Trust, Respect, Diversity, Inclusion, Environment and Personal Development, to recruit and support a diverse range of young people into and through our programmes and on to positive destinations following graduation.

The job will also include building a network of local referrers, public speaking to interested groups, staff teams and funders, presenting our programmes in engaging and creative ways to young people interested in joining our programmes and supporting them on their journey with Venture Scotland and beyond.

Do you want to work in a supportive team of people, who really care about the young people we are helping?

Do you want to work in an organisation who listens, values everyone views and cares about the health and wellbeing of their staff?

Do you understand the transformative effect of the outdoors?

Are you passionate about #ChangingYoungLives Outdoors?

Are you an experienced and motivated fundraising professional with the natural ability to build rapport and inspire? If you’re looking for a fresh new challenge where you can really make a difference and grow community networks, then this could be the role for you!!

We’re now on the lookout for a Community Fundraising Officer to join us on a full-time basis. This is a temporary 12-month role with a view to go permanent.

You can be based in any of our offices across Scotland or on a hybrid working model. As travel is required in this role you must be flexible to occasionally travel across Scotland when needed.

The Role

As our Community Fundraising Officer, you’ll be responsible for engaging with the local community, attending local events and delivering presentations to attract new supporters and secure donations. You will maintain and develop a portfolio of community fundraising activities along with organising our community events calendar including third party events and challenges.

Through your creative flair and research, you will develop new and exciting ways to engage community supporters, work closely with branch colleagues and maximise income generation. You’ll be joining a small and diverse team who are deeply passionate about raising funds for Cornerstone.

It would be great if you have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle, but this isn’t a deal breaker!

What we’ll need you to bring;

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills both verbal and written.
• Experience of working in a fundraising role.
• Excellent planning, organising and time management skills.
• Ability to produce high quality, accurate work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to deliver against specified targets.
• A confident, motivational and energetic approach.
• SVQ or HNC level in relevant subject or equivalent.

It would be great if you also had;

• Member of Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

About Us

With over 40 years’ experience delivering great care and support, Cornerstone provides tailored, individual packages of care which focus on enabling people with a variety of needs, including learning disabilities, physical disabilities, autism and complex care needs, to live the best possible life. We aim to be the best employer in social care in Scotland and would love for you to come and join us. We thrive on teamwork and are passionate about the care and support we provide. If you're looking for a rewarding career where you know you can make a difference, then look no further