Use your skills and experience to save endangered species from extinction and improve people's lives through closer connection with nature. Join our small but highly successful fundraising team based in the heart of Edinburgh Zoo and you'll have an amazing opportunity to make an impact on conservation in Scotland and around the world.

The role:

Building on a successful individual giving programme at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), this role focuses on developing a new legacy and in-memory giving programme, encompassing marketing campaigns, stewardship, legacy administration and events.

This is permanent, part time role (22.5 hours per week) based at Edinburgh Zoo, but working across both sites which also covers Highland Wildlife Park.

Some of the things you’ll do:

• Work with the Fundraising Manager to develop and deliver compelling new legacy and in-memory giving campaigns for RZSS.
• Liaise with relevant colleagues, including fundraising, marketing and communications teams, to gain insights into our audiences and help to prepare legacy and in-memory giving copy and messaging.
• Lead on activities to promote legacies and in memory giving across all relevant RZSS platforms, including our websites, digital channels, events and direct mail.
• Lead on the planning and promotion of legacies and in-memory giving through on-site collateral and signage at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park
• Develop and manage fundraising data on the CRM system relating to legacy and in memorial giving, supervising other staff when necessary to ensure all data is entered correctly and kept up to date, producing reports upon request and ensuring that financial information is handled with sensitivity.
• Use supporter data to inform and improve the legacy and in memorial programme.
• Identify trends in fundraising and recommend opportunities to senior colleagues.

What we’re looking for:

• Educated to Degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience in a similar role.
• CIOF Certificate of Fundraising or equivalent experience
• Extensive knowledge of donor cultivation and stewardship principles
• NEBOSH general certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, e.g. producing creative materials for fundraising, with the ability to tailor complex information to a wide range of audiences/donors including those a senior level or requiring a sensitive approach
• Demonstrable experience of working in a similar role, meeting deadlines in a busy environment.

What you’ll get in return:

• Starting salary between £19,938 - £20,436 (offer based on experience / salary pro-rated based on 22.5hrs per week) with future salary progression up to £22,223 per annum (FTE £33,230 - £34,060 with future progression up to £37,038 per annum)
• 22.5hr working week (may require some occasional evening/weekend working)
  • Hybrid working option available
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Discount in both retail/catering
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice.
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

The Manager will support the delivery of our innovative childcare services, ensuring that the quality standards and the vision, values, and aims of the organisation are fully implemented. They will provide high-quality childcare in line with all local and national regulations, fostering a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for children.

Introduction to MYDG

Muirhouse Youth Development Group was established in 1997 and has been working with young people from Muirhouse and the surrounding areas ever since. Over the past 30 years, we have built strong, trusted relationships with young people, their families, the local community, and with the high school in which we are based. We deliver a full week of activities for young people, including evening youth clubs and in-school support. MYDG works with young people aged 8–18, and we support their development through opportunities such as our Young Volunteers Programme.

Purpose of the Job

Our Youth Development Workers play a direct role in engaging and supporting young people: delivering issue-based sessions, creating safe and inclusive spaces, and ensuring that young people’s voices are heard and prioritised in decision-making—both within the organisation and in the wider community.

We are looking for someone with a good understanding of the experiences and challenges young people face in the local area, and with experience in delivering impactful group work programmes.

Role Requirements

This role requires the postholder to deliver high-quality, safe, fun, and empowering youth work activities and support services. You will be part of a small, collaborative team working to achieve key outcomes for young people, as required by our funders. The postholder should have the confidence and ability to develop, deliver, and promote a relevant and engaging youth work programme for young people of varying ages.

Key responsibilities include

• Designing and delivering youth work sessions across a range of topics
• Recording, monitoring, and evaluating your work effectively
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and partner organisations
• Upholding and promoting the values of MYDG

Contributing to our online presence through social media and digital platforms

Young Women’s Work – Occupational Requirement

We are currently seeking to recruit a female Youth Development Worker to support our young women’s work, both within mixed settings and targeted group sessions.

This post is open to female applicants only, as the role involves working closely with young women on gender-specific issues. This requirement is considered to be an Occupational Requirement, as permitted under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG) are seeking an Executive Director of Youth & Enterprise. As Director you will collaborate with the MYDG Board of trustees to develop organisational strategies, ensure the highest safety standards are in place and followed. Ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures, oversee the financial aspects, including fundraising and budget management of both the youth development work and social enterprise. You will raise the profile of MYDG in the community build strong relationships with stakeholders, and act as an inspiring role model for both young people and staff

About the role:

Muirhouse Youth Development Group is a young person focused community Charity. We deliver high quality youth work, providing experiential education programmes, personal and social development, skills acquisition programmes and vocational qualifications. MYDG exists to support young people at key points in their life - Organisation for all, no matter who you are, where you are at, where you have come from and where you are going. We strive to be a fully diverse organisation working with our community to ensure this is woven throughout our way of work.

Key responsibilities:

Financial Leadership

• Fully accountable for the entire funding cycle, ensuring organisational sustainability. Must be able to generate large funds across multi-year, short-term and social enterprise income streams.

Strategic Management

• Develop, implement and lead the organisation into the future.

Manage Team & Stakeholders

• Build, Develop, Lead and manage a strong team to achieve MYDG’s Goals. Ensuring HR compliance and strong governance are in place. Acting as an inspiring role model, being the face of the charity.

Essential Experience

To be successful in this role , you will have skills and experience in the following areas;

• Executive Financial Leadership: A verifiable track record of personally securing and managing in annual funding from diverse sources, including complex multi-year grants, philanthropic trusts, and earned income streams.
• Social Enterprise Development: Demonstrated success in developing, launching, and scaling a commercial venture or social enterprise (e.g., outdoor centre, hospitality, or training arm), including full accountability for business planning, market analysis, and sales/marketing strategy.
• Strategic Youth Sector Leadership: Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role within a youth, community, or third-sector organisation, demonstrating the ability to set and achieve strategic goals and drive impact in a community-focused environment.
• People & Governance Management: Extensive experience leading and motivating multi-disciplinary teams (staff, sessional workers, and volunteers), with a deep, practical understanding of HR compliance, safeguarding, and Board governance within a Scottish charity context.
• Stakeholder & Partnership Management: A proven ability to act as the public face of an organisation, representing its values, and building high-level relationships with funders, community leaders, partners, and political stakeholders.

Job specification

Development of Organisation and Team:

• Collaborate with the MYDG Board to develop strategies and operational plans aligned with the organisation’s vision and strategic priorities.
• Shape, implement, and lead the successful execution of MYDG, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Strengthen MYDG’s capacity to meet aims and objectives while maintaining a sustainable structure.
• Maximise the potential of the MYDG Team, sessional staff, volunteers, and young people.
• Oversee the management of MYDG staff, ensuring accurate staff records and financial documentation are maintained through effective delegation.
• Represent and promote MYDG’s history, present context, and future aspirations to ensure the organisation’s brand is widely known and clearly understood.
• Ensure resources within MYDG are effectively connected to outcomes for young people.

Management of MYDG Team:

• Lead, manage, and supervise the MYDG Team.
• Provide guidance and support to MYDG’s Youth Development Team to ensure strategic outcomes are met.
• Oversee staff scheduling and manage hours for the Team.
• Provide the MYDG Board with monthly leadership reports and relevant updates to ensure strong governance and effective management of the organisation, meeting all legal, financial, and ethical responsibilities.
• Facilitate clear communication across the organisation and take responsibility for maintaining the health of key partnerships and relationships with external stakeholders.
• Identify training needs and opportunities for the team and oversee the implementation of annual staff appraisals and development plans.
• Act as an inspiring role model for both young people and staff.
• Delegate tasks appropriately and ensure accountability.

HR Procedures and Policies:

• Ensure policies and procedures are current, relevant, and adhered to, leading by example while ensuring legal compliance across the organisation.
• Manage and oversee recruitment processes for MYDG staff.
• Handle / Oversee HR responsibilities, including contracts, staff appraisals, development plans, timesheets, holidays, PVG checks, and expenses.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety, & well-being standards for all staff, volunteers & users.
• Keep the staff handbook updated and ensure its proper implementation.

Partnership Work:

• Lead and manage partnership initiatives for MYDG.
• Maintain regular communication with key partners.
• Identify and foster new partnership opportunities.
• Ensure partnership agreements are prioritised, maintained, and adhered to.
• Build and maintain relationships with funders and partners, ensuring alignment with agreements.

Funding and Budgeting Responsibilities:

• Fully accountable for the entire funding cycle of MYDG’s work, including identifying funding sources, applications, and commissioning.
• Ensure the Team meets its key outcomes in line with MYDG’s goals and funder expectations.
• Provide an overview of all finances in collaboration with the finance administrator.
• Oversee and review funding proposals submitted by the Youth Development Team.

Social Enterprise & Commercial Leadership

• Lead the development, implementation, and review of comprehensive business plans for the Pilton Retreat social enterprise to ensure profitability and sustained mission delivery.
• Direct all market research activities to identify potential customers and market niches for the centre, ensuring competitive and sustainable pricing.
• Develop and oversee a robust marketing and sales strategy to drive revenue and promote the social and ethical value of choosing MYDG's enterprise services.
• Ensure the commercial strategy adheres to best practices in social enterprise traits (i.e., profits are reinvested into the youth development mission) and builds long-term financial sustainability for the entire organisation.
• Actively manage the balance between commercial success and the maintenance of high-quality community outcomes and youth engagement.