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.

The Ventures Lab is redefining how purpose-led enterprises access the expertise they need to grow and succeed. Through our pioneering Pooled Services model, we provide high quality business support in finance, legal, marketing, and business development, allowing ventures to focus on impact without the overheads of costly in-house teams.

Following a successful pilot with a select group of clients, we are now entering a crucial growth phase scaling pooled services into a national offering that will support social enterprises across Scotland. This is an exciting moment to shape and lead a transformative service.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic leader to drive the scaling, innovation, and long-term sustainability of pooled services, positioning The Ventures Lab as the go-to platform for social enterprises seeking expert business support

Role Overview

The Director of Venture Support Services will drive the strategic development and growth of The Ventures Lab’s pooled services. This role requires a strong balance of strategic leadership, operational oversight, and stakeholder engagement to ensure high-quality service delivery and long-term sustainability.

A key part of this role will be building and leading a team to deliver high-quality business support services. The successful candidate will be responsible for recruiting, managing, and developing a team of professionals to ensure seamless service delivery.

Additionally, the Director of Venture Support Services will develop a network of professional partners across various sectors and disciplines, securing a community of trusted advisors, pro-bono experts, and service providers who are committed to supporting purpose-led businesses through volunteering, discounted services, or strategic collaboration.

Growth Targets

In 2025, The Ventures Lab aims to recruit 20 new businesses into the pooled services model. From there, we plan to grow by a minimum of 50% year on year, steadily increasing our reach and impact. The Director of Venture Support Services will play a crucial role in achieving these targets by ensuring the model is scalable, effective, and financially sustainable.

Victim Support Scotland – Empowering People Affected by Crime

We put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do so they are heard, have improved health and well-being, feel safer, more secure, and informed and that we are an effective organisation, that makes a lasting difference.

Who we are

Victim Support Scotland (VSS) provides support and information to people affected by crime and campaigns for victim and witness rights. Regardless of whether a crime has been reported, or when it happened, our services are free, confidential, and tailored to individuals’ needs.

Our vision is that people affected by crime – victims, witnesses, and their families – are treated with dignity and respect and are at the heart of the justice in Scotland. Our mission is to ensure that all those affected by crime receive high quality support that will help them to recover from their experiences. All our work is guided and underpinned by our six core principles of being engaging and compassionate; inclusive and accessible; person-centred; adaptive, flexible, and responsive; collaborative; and knowledgeable and skilled. Now is the time to join Victim Support Scotland, helping us work towards the ambitions of our 5-year plan:Empowering people affected by crime: VSS Strategy 2021-2026.

VSS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all of our service users and has a thorough and rigorous recruitment and selection process including PVG scheme checks in place to ensure this commitment is met.

What is the role?

As a member of the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) and reporting directly to the Director of Service Delivery, you will be responsible for delivering, implementing, and evaluating victim support services across Scotland. You will work in partnership with the current Head of Service Delivery and together you will ensure that our services meet the needs of all our service users.

You will have responsibility for managing staff and volunteers, ensuring that they are supported, knowledgeable and capable to deliver services that meet service users' needs.

As part of the VSS team you will work collaboratively to ensure that VSS’s strategic objectives are being implemented and will have a key role in developing future strategies and business planning to ensure that the needs of victims and witnesses are being met.

Primary location:Edinburgh or Glasgow

Salary:£47,266 - £62,420 per annum. Salary on appointment will normally be at the lower salary point, with progression subject to regular review in line with VSS performance appraisal arrangements. A higher salary placing will be considered in exceptional circumstances subject to experience demonstrated.

What you’ll need to be successful

You will hold a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development with a solid academic foundation. As well as excellent quantitative and qualitative research skills, meticulous attention to detail, and excellent organisational and planning abilities encompassing program, resource, and performance management.

Showing effective communication skills, both written and verbal, demonstrated through successful external relationship management and the ability to present complex information visually to diverse audiences.

Further details of this role are available in the job description-Head of Service Delivery

Please note-this post will be subject to a Basic Disclosure Scotland check and two satisfactory references. The role is based in the Central Belt but the ability to travel to all VSS bases and spaces is a requirement.

To ensure you are in the best position to perform to your highest standards during our selection process, make sure you review the competencies outlined in the Job Description and have prepared examples of times you have successfully demonstrated these behaviours in the past.

What we offer

When you work for Victim Support Scotland, your wellbeing is important to us. Not only do we offer a generous annual leave package of 42 days (pro-rata), but you will also have access to our free health cash plan which includes cover for you and your family across a range of benefits, which include, dental cover, access to a virtual GP, counselling, legal support and discounts on gym memberships, cinema tickets, retail and much more. In addition we offer a generous pension, enhanced maternity and paternity pay and access to a credit union. Supporting employee development is important to us and we offer comprehensive learning and development opportunities.

If you are looking for a role with a purpose, where you can really make a difference, then this may be the role for you.

As a Disability Confident Committed employer, please advise if you require any adjustments in the application process by contacting Jobs@victimsupportsco.org.uk.

About Us

Change Mental Health is a leading national mental health charity providing unique support to people with severe and enduring mental ill health. With over 50 years’ experience across Scotland, we believe people affected by poor mental health and illness deserve the highest quality of support in the community and that every person has the right to be valued and to share in the opportunities, challenges, and joys of everyday life.

About National Programmes

Change Mental Health is the lead partner in the Highlands for the Scottish Government’s Distress Brief Intervention project (DBI). The DBI is a Scotland-wide pilot project, testing a ground-breaking approach to address the emotional and psychological pain experienced by people in distress.

Working in partnership with frontline services, including Police, Ambulance service, Primary Care and mental health teams, the project provides rapid referral to focused, short-term support, with the option of onward referral to longer-term support if required. For further information about DBI and our involvement in the project, head to our website and visit DBI.scot.

As the National Programme lead you will play a significant role in this major, high profile Scottish Government project. Additionally, you will lead on the development of new national programmes/ services and oversee the running of them.

About the Role

As National Programme Lead, you will oversee and lead all Change Mental Health DBI Teams and assist in the development of the DBI programme on behalf of Change Mental Health. You will have responsibility to ensure that our work to support people in distress is delivered to a high standard and within the framework agreed with the Scottish Government and the DBI Programme Board. You will provide visible leadership to staff and be a strong role model and leader in building a positive and supportive culture as part of your role.

You will work closely with senior colleagues in Change Mental Health and in a wide range of statutory and third sector agencies to ensure that the Distress Brief Intervention, and other national programmes of work/ services continue to deliver an innovative service in a compassionate and connected way. With partnership working at the forefront, you will develop the services while working closely with key partners, in liaison with the appropriate Heads of Service and the Director of Services.

The National Programme Lead will work across several areas of Scotland including, but not limited to, Highland, Argyll & Bute, Dumfries and Galloway, Western Isles and CMH National office in Edinburgh.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee all DBI services provided by Change Mental Health, including responsibility for all quality and reporting aspects of delivery.
• Lead on the roll out and expansion of DBI Services within Change Mental Health areas.
• Lead on discussions with partners around the future of existing DBI projects, including funding opportunities and expansion of current pathways.
• Oversee management of the rota system, ongoing development of the Change Mental Health DBI Hub and DBI Managers meetings.
• Develop and oversee new national services ensuring a robust quality framework is in place to support the best practice and continuous improvement within the service.
• Ensure Change Mental Health Policies and Procedures are implemented and understood including Safeguarding and Health and Safety.
• Develop and maintain excellent partnerships with statutory and third sector agencies and partners in all areas.
• Monitor existing funding contracts and highlight any challenges around these within appropriate timeframes
• Leading on local and national groups relevant to the National programmes e.g. DBI Programme Board meetings and local implementation groups
• Providing line management, including support & supervision to Project Managers / Team Leaders both virtually and face to face.
• Provide out-of-hours support to national programme teams on a rota-basis
• Be part of the Management Team for National services and work closely with peers to provide guidance and support, as required

Personal Specification:

• Experience of setting up and managing programmes/ services in a third sector setting.
• Experience of cultivating and maintaining stakeholder relationships to support the development of the service
• Demonstratable experience of positively leading, managing and motivating a large team of staff to provide high-quality support to those accessing support
• Demonstrates effective communication, with the ability to adapt based on the situation and audience, including presenting to and engaging with external stakeholders
• Skilled in prioritizing workload demands and responding effectively and in a positive manner
• Demonstrates the ability to work autonomously to complete tasks in an efficient manner while being part of a larger team.
• Highly motivated to deliver best practice with continuous improvement, including opportunities to embed reflective practice into delivery
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment and with the ability to make sound decisions and judgement calls quickly and appropriately.
• Skilled in identifying and cultivating opportunities to grow and develop the service
• Experience of appropriately and safely manage safeguarding and adult protection concerns

General Duties:

• Act in accordance with Data Protection legislation. Ensure all records, personal, staff and client data are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies.
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements such as provisions set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
• As with all employees, workers and volunteers; to encourage people to join Change Mental Health as a member, donor or activist.
• To act in accordance with the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and to notify a line manager promptly if there are any concerns.
• To participate in regular supervision and appraisal and undertake any relevant training as appropriate to the role.
• To work in accordance with the charity’s national policies and local operating procedures and those of external regulators or professional bodies.

This job profile and list of duties is not exhaustive and serves only to highlight the main requirements. The line manager may stipulate other reasonable requirements and projects commensurate with the general profile and grade of the post.

Please be aware that it is classed as an offence if you apply for this role and are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to vulnerable adults.

Benefits

• 24/7 access to an award-winning Employee Assistance Programme providing free legal, financial, and medical advice as well as support with life’s challenges.
• A 35-hour working week
• Travel season ticket loan.
• A great work life balance with flexible and blended working environment.
• Access to purchase a Blue Light Discount Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Enhanced sick pay and leave entitlements.
• Generous 37 days’ holiday.
• 2 paid Mental Wellbeing days.
• Professional development including funded opportunities.

This post will be subject to a PVG check for working with Children & Adults.