Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team.

We are recruiting for a Skills Development Manager who encourages good practice and drives continuous improvement in skills development and promotes a culture of learning and development within the sector.

The Skills Development Manager is a key interface between MGS and the sector, building rich and valuable networks and delivering a wide range of skills development programmes and activities for the benefit of the sector. The Skills Development Manager develops and manages partnerships with key stakeholders across the heritage landscape that maximise the quality of our products and programme delivery.

A core focus of this role is the development , delivery and evaluation of all our workforce development programmes. This will involve coordinating and codesigning with the Museums and Galleries sector, existing partners and exploring new partnership opportunities.

The post holder is joining MGS as we launch an exciting new programme aimed at building sector resilience, exploring new delivery models and facilitating more entrepreneurial approaches. Part of the role will be developing skills development activity in relation to this programme in collaboration with colleagues from across MGS teams.

A skilled communicator who is self-motivated, shows initiative and builds strong and effective relationships, the Skills Development Manager continually seeks out opportunities and more agile ways of working to develop content and enhance the MGS skills offer.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Act as an interface between MGS, the museums and galleries sector and key stakeholders on skills development
• Support the delivery of all accredited and non accredited learning opportunities across MGS’s service provision
• Work with the sector to deliver skills development priorities and embed a culture of learning and development
• Maintain an overview of the skills and knowledge needs for the museum sector and create, identify, develop and evaluate programmes and opportunities to meet these needs
• Manage the development, delivery and evaluation of a marketable schedule of training courses and programmes; and assist colleagues to deliver subject-specific workshops
• Contribute to research and development work carried out by sector-relevant organisations
• Budget holder responsibilities – involved in both planning and management
• Support MGS to deliver the Workforce strand of the National Strategy
• Stakeholder relationship management

The above mentioned tasks and responsibilities constitute an overview and not an exhaustive list. Workload and priorities are ultimately determined by the annual MGS Operational Plan.

Relationships

• Build and nurture effective working relationships across the organisation and with external partners
• Collaborate with other staff to support and deliver MGS projects, programmes and the National Strategy
• Contribute to the organisation’s expertise in the sector by sharing knowledge, information and good practice.
• Work fairly and with integrity and adapt style to different people, cultures and situation

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of developing, delivering and managing a wide range of skills development programmes with defined learning outcomes, to a diverse range of learners
• Working knowledge of Scottish Government skills priorities and wider skills landscape
• Experience of composing bid applications and procurement documents
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills including good presentation, influencing and facilitation skills
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to clearly communicate
• Microsoft Office

Preferred

• Knowledge of the museums and galleries sector in Scotland
• Experience of evaluating training programmes and identifying areas for improvement
• Experience of working with vocational and accredited qualifications
• Confident speaking in public and hosting meetings online and in person
• Advocates for lifelong learning and professional development
• Experience of working with volunteers

We work with staff to help everyone reach their potential in the workplace and welcome conversations with individuals about their needs, circumstances and aspirations.

HOW YOU WORK

MGS has a behavioural competency framework which describes how we expect people to go about their work day-to-day. Staff must demonstrate the following skills areas at an appropriate level:

• Works collaboratively
• Communicating with impact
• Respect, inclusion and integrity
• Effective decision-making
• Sector focus
• Drive for results
• Innovation, agility and building capability

All staff are expected to champion and help deliver MGS’s commitments to anti-racism and climate.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Travel – regionally is required. Approx. 40 days per year.

About the Role

Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) is the National Development Body for Scotland’s museums and galleries. We support a sector of 449 museums and galleries, through strategic investment, workforce development, advice and advocacy. We are a forward facing and inclusive organisation, committed to the ongoing development of a positive culture for our team.

We are recruiting for a Capacity Programme Officer who will work with the Senior Capacity Programme Manager in the Museum Development team to facilitate delivery of a new capacity-building programme designed to support Scotland’s museums to become more resilient organisations.

The programme aligns with Scotland’s Museums and Galleries Strategy which provides a framework for the sector and MGS to work to ensure the future relevance and resilience of the sector. It centres around three thematic strands of Connection, Resilience and Workforce.

The new programme will have a particular focus on the Resilience strand of the strategy, particularly on Financial Resilience and Collaboration but the postholder will support the interconnected nature of the strands through working collaboratively with staff across the MGS team.

The postholder will support the development of new ways of working that will strengthen the resilience of the whole sector. The postholder will engage directly with museums and galleries in Scotland, supporting and gathering information on common challenges. They will collaborate with colleagues across MGS to support the delivery of programmes to address development needs. The role will involve working with existing partners and support agencies as well as assisting in building new strategic relationships.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Support the building of relationships, and work with, a range of partner organisations
• Supporting museums and galleries to engage with the programme, including using a diagnostic tool that analyses the current issues in the museum sector
• Working closely with the Grants Team, support the delivery of programme funding, including managing a micro grants fund
• Work closely with the Skills Team on skills programming activity
• Support the collection and analysis of impact data regarding the programme to facilitate evaluation and programme development
• Support the reporting on the programme including budget reporting on different programme strands
• Attend meetings and support or facilitate events
• Capture sector knowledge through robust use of systems, including the CRM database Contribute to an internal working group for the financial resilience priority area in the Resilience strand of the National Strategy for Scotland’s Museums and Galleries ensuring delivery strategy actions for MGS

The above mentioned tasks and responsibilities constitute an overview and not an exhaustive list. Workload and priorities are ultimately determined by the annual MGS Operational Plan.

Relationships

• Build and nurture effective working relationships across the organisation and with external partners
• Work fairly and with integrity and adapt style to different people, cultures and situations
• Proactive attitude to seek new ways of working, knowledge, identify and seize opportunities to support the sector
• Collaborate with other staff to support and deliver MGS projects and programmes

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Experience of developing new ways of working
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to build positive working relationships with a range of external stakeholders and partner organisations Experience of supporting projects and programmes
• Experience of creating resources and guidance documents
• Experience of reporting and evaluating
• Managing a varied workload
• Confident using a range of systems and digital platforms

Preferred

• Facilitation experience
• Knowledge and understanding of the Scottish museums sector and current issues facing it
• Experience of working for or with social enterprises
• Experience of supporting income generation and financial resilience

We work with staff to help everyone reach their potential in the workplace and welcome conversations with individuals about their needs, circumstances and aspirations.

How You Work

MGS has a behavioural competency framework which describes how we expect people to go about their work day-to-day. Staff must demonstrate the following skills areas at an appropriate level:

• Works collaboratively
• Communicating with impact
• Respect, inclusion and integrity
• Effective decision-making
• Sector focus Drive for results Innovation, agility and building capability

In particular this role requires someone who is self-motivated and solutions-focused, positively welcomes opportunities for change and learning, readily shares experience and ideas and has a passion for supporting museums and galleries to become more sustainable and resilient.

All staff are expected to champion and help deliver MGS’s commitments to anti-racism and climate.

Special Requirements

Travel – regionally will be required occasionally (estimated 15 days a year)

About Us

Outer Spaces supports artists, professional development, artist-led activity, and studio provision by repurposing empty commercial properties. Our programming and partnerships focus on visual artists, using vacant and disused spaces as platforms for research, experimentation, and creative exchange.

Since launching in 2021, the response to our work—and to our growing portfolio of spaces—has been overwhelming. We have supported over 1,000 resident artists and groups across 139 spaces in 13 local authority areas. These spaces are currently located in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Inverness, Motherwell, Newton Mearns, and Paisley. They include former shops and offices in diverse settings—from busy city centres and commuter towns to post-industrial areas and communities heavily affected by austerity, Brexit, the pandemic, and now the cost-of-living crisis.

All our spaces are rent-free. By removing what is often an artist’s highest monthly cost, Outer Spaces plays a vital role in supporting creative practice, particularly now, as rising living costs put further pressure on already fragile incomes. Our goal is to ensure that artists, especially those at early stages of their careers, have access to affordable space, a peer network, and opportunities to collaborate, share work, and engage with the public.

This is a new, hands-on finance role in a small, dynamic charity. The Finance Manager ensures effective cash flow management, timely monthly management accounts, and oversight of pledged income, while maintaining high standards of financial control and compliance. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) the Finance Manager supports both day-to-day operations and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

Cash Flow Management

• Monitor daily and weekly cash balances to ensure sufficient liquidity
• Prepare and maintain accurate rolling cash flow forecasts
• Proactively identify and report potential cash shortfalls or surpluses at the earliest opportunity
• Liaise with internal teams to understand income and expenditure timelines

Monthly Management Accounts

• Prepare and deliver accurate monthly management accounts, including income and expenditure,
• cash flow, variance analysis and commentary
• Complete month-end tasks such as reconciliations, journals, accruals, and prepayments

Credit Control & Donor Income Tracking

• Raise advice notes and payment requests to funders and donors
• Maintain accurate records of pledged income (donations, grants, sponsorships)
• Monitor and follow up on outstanding income
• Allocate restricted and unrestricted funds appropriately

Cash Control & Financial Operations

• Perform regular bank reconciliations and resolve discrepancies
• Ensure compliance with internal cash handling and banking protocols
• Record all income and expenditure accurately using Xero

Budgeting & Strategic Support

• Support annual budgeting and in-year reforecasting with cash flow insight
• Provide financial scenario modelling and planning support to the SLT
• Prepare ad hoc reports for trustees, funders, and key stakeholders

Compliance & Audit

• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external charity regulations
• Support the preparation of year-end audit files and documentation
• Maintain documentation of financial processes, recommending improvements where necessary

Essential Skills and Experience

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience
• Experience in: Cash flow forecasting, Monthly accounts preparation, Credit control and income tracking
• Proficiency in Xero accounting software
• Advanced Excel skills
• Understanding of restricted and unrestricted fund accounting
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues
• Capable of working independently in a small, remote team

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Familiarity with MGETR and charity-specific tax reliefs
• Knowledge of UK Charity SORP and financial reserves policies
• Experience working in a donor-funded, small charity, or not-for-profit context

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and detail-oriented
• Collaborative and solutions-focused
• Committed to the values and mission of Outer Spaces