This role plays a critical part in the planning and management of our organisational finances and resources, leading a small team within the Business Support team. It reports to our Head of Resources and Development and line manages a full-time Finance and Resources Officer and a part-time Business Support Coordinator. It sits within the Business Support team, which also includes our Fund Managers and Coordinators.

What You'll Do

Effective strategic and operational planning, performance and development are essential to the sustainability of our growing organisation. A significant element of this is how we plan and manage our finances and other resources, build organisational policy and process to enable the work we do for our sector, and develop our practices to build a great place to work. Our Resources and Development team provides the planning, oversight and development of our central organisational activity and practice, as well as managing the investments we make in our sector on behalf of funding partners.

As Finance and Resources Manager, you will take a leading role in our project and core budget development and reporting, financial oversight and assurance, financial forecasting and financial policy and processes. You will also support the planning and management of our people/staff related activity, working with our external HR Advisor and the Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway (TSDG) Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to coordinate the update and maintenance of our Staff Handbook and policies.

• Lead the efficient and effective management of robust TSDG financial systems, ensuring sufficient processes are in place to provide the SLT with high levels of financial scrutiny and assurance.
• Support the Chief Executive and SLT colleagues in developing, monitoring, re-forecasting and reporting on the core TSDG budget and project budgets.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly management accounts, cashflow projections and financial reporting for the SLT, and provide oversight and assurance of the accurate recording and processing of all income and expenditure, in line with budget and financial delegations.
• Oversee and assure automated payment approvals through online banking and regular bank reconciliation, and develop our Zoho-based finance system, with a view to bringing more services in-house.
• Oversee monthly payroll and expenses processes, and support the Head of Resources and Development, Senior Leaders and others to build grant claims by providing accurate financial data of ring-fenced funds.
• Lead on process and practice improvements to our financial management policies and systems, and on the development of our annual reports, working with our external advisors, accountants and auditor and assuring the first draft as presented to the SLT.
• Oversee the coordination of staff recruitment and the continuous improvement of our induction programmes for new staff, including a new programme for leadership roles.
• Work with our external HR Advisor and SLT to coordinate the update and maintenance of our people policies and electronic Staff Handbook, and oversee the effective use of our online employee HR system (SafeHR).
• Provide leadership, direction and support for the Finance team, line managing your direct reports effectively and managing delegated decisions and budgets, and contribute thoughtfully to strategic discussions and decisions in line with our values.

More about you

• You will have proven experience in small or medium-sized organisational finance management, with a strong understanding of accounting processes, internal controls and regulatory compliance, and of building operational and project budgets, monitoring and reporting.
• You will have proven experience of working with and developing financial processing systems, including invoicing, payments and cashflow modelling.
• You will have excellent time management skills, with the ability to work accurately to tight deadlines, prioritise your own workload and support the work of others, along with excellent attention to detail.
• You will have good leadership skills, with proven experience of mentoring others so that they thrive and grow.
• You will be skilled in using Outlook, Teams and other Microsoft apps, particularly Excel.
• You will be self-motivated and able to take responsibility for personal outcomes, with a commitment to ongoing personal and organisational improvement, and an inclusive, adaptable, action-biased and collegiate attitude.
• You will be able to be at the Dumfries or Stranraer office for agreed working hours (based on 9–5) consistently, three days a week.
• You may have proven experience in charity finance management, with a strong understanding of charitable accounting, restricted funding and grant claims, including using financial processing systems to inform charity grant management.

VASLan (Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire) is the Third Sector Interface (TSI) for South Lanarkshire, supporting and representing a diverse local third sector of approximately 1,400 community, voluntary and social enterprise organisations. Through its work in community development, partnership building, sector support and advocacy, VASLan enables local organisations to thrive, strengthens the voice of communities and helps create the conditions for a more resilient, inclusive and connected South Lanarkshire.

The organisation is now seeking a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead VASLan into an exciting new phase of strategic development, partnership working and growth. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for shaping and delivering the organisation’s strategic direction, strengthening the sustainability and influence of the local third sector, and ensuring VASLan continues to play a leading role in shaping policy, investment and community outcomes across South Lanarkshire.

Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will provide strong, visible and values-led leadership across VASLan and the Third Sector, working closely with the Board, staff team, South Lanarkshire Council, Health and Social Care Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire and wider Community Planning Partners. They will ensure VASLan remains an independent, credible and influential voice for the third sector, while fostering a positive and inclusive organisational culture where people are supported, empowered and equipped to deliver meaningful impact.

A major priority for the incoming CEO will be building on VASLan’s evolving strategic partnerships and ensuring the third sector is recognised as an equal and essential partner in local decision-making. This includes progressing the new Third Sector Partnership Agreement with South Lanarkshire Council, supporting the implementation of the Third Sector Grant Policy and strengthening collaboration around key policy priorities and community outcomes.

Funding, investment and long-term sustainability will also be central to the role. VASLan manages significant funding on behalf of its partners, amounting to almost £1.5 million in the current year, while supporting collaborative bids, partnership investment and funding opportunities across the sector. The CEO will provide strategic oversight of these responsibilities, working with public sector partners, funders and philanthropic organisations to secure new investment, promote fair and sustainable funding and strengthen the capacity and resilience of local organisations.

To succeed in this role, you will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record of strategic and organisational leadership, partnership development, financial management and people development. You will bring a clear understanding of the Scottish third sector and the challenges facing communities, including poverty, inequality and social exclusion. You will be confident operating at Board level, influencing senior stakeholders and building trusted relationships across the public, voluntary and community sectors.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious and purpose-driven leader to shape the future of South Lanarkshire’s third sector. With an established network of local organisations, evolving strategic partnerships and significant opportunities to influence investment and policy, the incoming CEO will have a unique opportunity to strengthen the voice of communities, unlock new opportunities for collaboration and help make South Lanarkshire the best place in Scotland in which to start, run and grow a third sector organisation

Since 2012 East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action (EDVA) has been the Third Sector Interface organisation in East Dunbartonshire. We help to build capacity, share knowledge, create positive connections, advocate for the sector and support volunteering.

As an Engagement and Development Officer, you will take a collaborative and hands-on approach delivering a wide range of activities supporting and developing the capacity of the local Third Sector and championing the value and contribution of our local Third Sector and volunteers.

Based in Kirkintilloch, this is an exciting opportunity to build relationships with, support and champion the vital work of community groups, charities and social enterprises within East Dunbartonshire and support links between the third sector and statutory agencies.

Location

The role is based in our office in Kirkintilloch with travel across East Dunbartonshire and occasionally further afield. Some hybrid working may be possible.