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.

Tay and Earn Trust is a Scottish registered charity, established in June 2013, dedicated to the conservation, sustainable management and enjoyment of the River Tay and River Earn catchments and the communities connected to them.

Rooted in one of Scotland’s most significant river systems, the Trust works to protect and enhance the natural environment while supporting people to engage with, learn from and benefit sustainably from these landscapes. Their work spans environmental conservation, education, community development and wellbeing, reflecting the interconnected nature of healthy rivers, resilient communities and sustainable futures.

About Willowgate:

The centre is part of the Tay and Earn Charitable Trust that promotes development and use by the community of the Tay and surrounding areas whilst protecting and nurturing the environment.

Nestled on the banks of the River Tay in Perth, Willowgate Adventure Centre is a vibrant hub for outdoor activity and learning. They offer paddle sports, archery, bushcraft, land-based adventures, and educational programmes, working with schools, community groups, families, and corporate clients.

Their mission is simple: to create experiences that inspire confidence, connection, and personal growth. As they enter a new phase of development, the Trust are seeking a leader who shares their passion for adventure, excellence, and innovation.

The Role of Activity Centre Manager:

Reporting to the senior management team, the Activity Centre Manager will have overall responsibility for the operational management, development, and day-to-day leadership of the centre, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and commercially successful activities.

You will oversee all aspects of centre operations, including activity delivery, staffing, facilities, equipment, and logistics, while ensuring every guest experience meets the highest standards of safety, quality, and customer service. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of instructors and operational staff, creating a positive, professional, and safety-led culture, supporting their training, development, and performance.

This is a hands-on, dynamic role where operational excellence, proactive problem-solving, and strong organisational skills are critical. You will ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, licensing, and safeguarding requirements, maintaining robust systems for risk assessment, incident management, and emergency planning. You will also work closely with the senior management team to achieve business targets, optimise income, and support the ongoing development of the site, facilities, and equipment.

You will bring strong operational and people-management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop staff while ensuring high standards of performance, safety, and customer experience. Excellent organisational, financial, and administrative skills are essential, alongside the ability to manage complex, competing priorities. You will have strong interpersonal skills, with experience building and maintaining positive relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be flexible, resilient, and willing to work hands-on, including outdoors in all weather conditions and during peak periods, including weekends. You will hold a full UK driving licence, relevant first aid qualifications (or willingness to obtain), and appropriate industry certifications. This is a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated team, shape the delivery of exceptional activity experiences, and making a lasting impact on the centre's visitors, staff and wider community. You will play a pivotal role in driving operational excellence, growth, and sustainability, ensuring every activity is delivered safely, reliably, and memorably.