Charity registered in Scotland SC028814
Top job! Venture Support Manager
- Full time
- £34,000 – £40,000
- Hybrid: Edinburgh
- Closing 24th March 2025
The Ventures Lab is a programme led by The Challenges Group, bringing over 25 years of experience in supporting impact-driven enterprises across 80 countries. Through The Ventures Lab, we apply this expertise to Scotland, building a pipeline of ventures that drive economic and social impact at scale.
Our Impact Venture Builder Programme provides a structured, hands-on approach to venture-building, offering: Tailored business support to strengthen enterprises and their ecosystems. Learning and leadership development to build entrepreneurial capability. Access to finance through patient capital and investment readiness support. Workspace and a collaborative ecosystem to nurture ideas and innovation. A strong business network connecting founders to mentors, partners, and market opportunities.
Venture Support Manager:
We’re looking for an exceptional Venture Support Manager to play a pivotal role in guiding purpose-led businesses through our Impact Venture Builder Programme. We aim to support, build, and scale 40 high-potential impact ventures annually, creating a strong pipeline of businesses that drive both social change and economic success.
As a Venture Support Manager, you will:
- Support 10 purpose-led businesses every six months, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to grow and secure investment.
- Lead and coordinate tailored support for ventures throughout the Impact Venture Builder Programme, ensuring access to expert guidance in market research, financial planning, legal frameworks, and marketing through internal teams and external partners.
- Provide hands-on support, guiding founders through early-stage commercialisation, investment readiness, and business scaling.
- Be part of a growing team driving innovation and shaping Scotland’s leadership in social enterprise.
- Engage with a dynamic ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to build a thriving, impact-driven community.
This is more than just a role, it’s an opportunity to be at the heart of Scotland’s social enterprise movement, helping ventures reach £1m+ in revenue within 3-5 years and driving real, measurable change.
We’re seeking someone who is:
- A strategic thinker with experience in business support, entrepreneurship, or investment.
- Passionate about impact-driven business, with a strong understanding of social enterprise models and investment landscapes.
- A confident leader and mentor, able to work closely with founders to guide them through the challenges of scaling a venture.
- Pragmatic and hands-on, comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
If you’re excited by the idea of shaping the future of impact-driven business in Scotland and want to be part of a team that is actively building the next generation of social enterprises, we’d love to hear from you.
We are an international enterprise development organisation that delivers enterprising solutions to global challenges We operate globally and have offices in six countries: Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, the UK, and Zambia
We are seeking a detailed and proactive Finance Officer to work with us to provide comprehensive bookkeeping services for new and developing purpose-led enterprises.
Roles & Responsibilities
• Ensure accurate recording of orders and invoices, and facilitate timely payments.
• Manage banking services and generate reports to prevent bank fraud.
• Protect operational assets, including cash handling, through robust internal controls and auditing.
• Generate timely income invoices and ensure prompt payment follow-up.
• Maintain accurate accounting records in Xero, supported by referenced digital documentation.
• Ensure proper authorisation and payment of expenses.
• Manage payroll systems for accurate and timely staff payments.
• Prepare monthly budget and forecasting reports.
• Oversee cash-flow management.
• Generate financial reports as needed.
• Prepare annual accounting information.
• Assist with ad-hoc finance queries.
Skills, Experience, and Personal Qualities
Essential:
• University degree or equivalent experience.
• Strong numeracy skills (Higher Mathematics/GCSE Mathematics or equivalent).
• 5+ years of experience in an office environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Desirable:
• Experience with Xero accounting software or similar platforms.
• Working towards a book-keeping or accounting qualification.