An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our Board and Charity. We are looking for someone who is dynamic, with capacity to contribute, and willing to share their expertise and ideally to also engage their network to broaden and deepen support for Venture Trust. An affinity with our work, supporting people in their development to overcome life challenges, is essential.

In return, we offer a comprehensive induction programme including charity trustee training, CPD as a trustee and opportunity to be part of a forward thinking, committed and impactful team working to help people transform their lives.

This position is a voluntary role in a national third sector organisation that has important stature in Scotland.

CORE PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To facilitate and support the effective delivery of the Young Enterprise (YE) Scotland and Bridge 2 Business Programmes (B2B) in Scotland to the expected standards, matching the Business Plan Objectives. To support the Managers to continually enhance Enterprise and Entrepreneurial learning and teaching for young people across the Young Enterprise portfolio of resources.

To develop, nurture and maintain relationships with key college contacts to create a strong presence within the college.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, deliver, and evaluate Enterprise Programmes and courses in a variety of appropriate educational & institutional settings including primary, secondary and further education settings.
• Foster an Entrepreneurial mindset to inspire students, and to participate in Enterprise and Entrepreneurial learning activities.
• Develop communication and relationship channels with agencies, partners and key stakeholders in order to offer YE Scotland and B2B Programmes in all educational settings including schools, colleges & the local community. Working collaboratively with these key partners to aid creative deliveries and enterprise activities.
• Proactively participate in all suitable marketing, promotions, publicity, and PR for all Programmes.
• Attend meetings and events as required, ensuring that the exchange of ideas, resources and best practice is updated and maintained.
• Liaise with Educators and all internal and external stakeholders to encourage, develop and co-ordinate suitable Enterprise activity and challenges within the educational arena.
• Identify expansion opportunities within schools and colleges in all geographical areas for all YE Scotland and B2B Enterprise Programmes, representing the organisation to the highest business standards
• Any other similar and appropriate work as agreed with Further Education and Entrepreneurship Manager to benefit YE Scotland.
• Complete and update statistical and administrative information timeously and in accordance with YE Scotland’s’, partner and funding requirements.
• Market and promote YE Scotland by identifying valuable case studies to raise the profile of the charity and attendance at appropriate external events to represent and promote the organisation.
• Stay up to date with sector trends and emerging themes and priorities
• Participate in regular appraisal and reporting with Line Manager, ensuring own continuous professional development is regularly reviewed and updated

Full details can be found in the job description below.

The Trust

The Strathmartine Trust was founded in 1999 with a legacy provided by the late Ronald Cant. The aim of the Trust is to support the study, research and education of Scottish history, broadly defined. Based in its own premises in St Andrews, the Trust offers self-catering accommodation for visiting scholars, and has a large library and study space for researchers. The Trust also offers awards and grants, and supports scholarships for PhD study in the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews. It maintains a community profile, hosting seminars and other events, supporting local and national historians to share their research and ideas. In 2014, the Trust established the Strathmartine Press, which publishes a small number of books that focus on local history. On a day-to-day basis, the Trust is managed by a part-time Director, who is responsible to the Chair and the Board of Trustees.

The Opportunity

Following a review of the Trust’s governance, the Trust is embarking on a search for new Trustees. The period of appointment will be five years, with the possibility of an extension to seven years. Trustee posts are not renumerated, but reasonable travel and other related expenses will be reimbursed. Over time, by the end of 2026, the intention is to have a refreshed Board of Trustees that comprises a diverse range of knowledge, skills and expertise - some of these are listed below; it is not expected that applicants for Trustee appointments will have all of these. As the Trust reorganises its administrative structure, it hopes also to expand and refresh its portfolio of activities, and the role of Trustee thus offers an exciting opportunity to assist in shaping a dynamic future for this important contributor in the field of Scottish historical research and education.

The Role

Trustees will be expected to be active in the running of the Trust, beyond simply providing strategic direction at meetings. Some Trustees will have specific oversight of the work of the Director of Operations in one of a number of key areas. An essential requirement, however, is that Trustees should be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for Scottish history. Applicants should be aware of the regulations concerning, and the statutory requirements of, charitable trusts in Scotland. Specifically, Trustees might have knowledge, skills and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Higher education and research
• Finance, including accountancy and investments
• Human resources
• Technology, including digital strategy and data protection
• Charity and other relevant compliance
• Publishing
• Marketing
• Leadership and management

The Time Commitment

Trustees are expected to attend, virtually or in person, a minimum of four Trustee Meetings each year; occasionally, additional meetings are organised to discuss grant applications or other significant matters. In addition to the time taken to prepare for and attend meetings, Trustees will need to allocate time to reading and evaluating applications during the annual grant award process. It is expected that Trustees will also remain engaged and interested in the day-to-day operation of the Strathmartine Centre and Press.

About ENSA

Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) exists to enable our 20,000 student members across Edinburgh and around the globe to make the most of their university experience. We do this by representing, supporting and developing Edinburgh Napier University students to be successful in their studies; to try out new things; to engage in, and contribute to, university life; to be healthy and happy; to bring about positive change; and to have fun.

About the role

As our Chair has now come to the end of her term in office, we are looking to recruit a new Chair with the skills and experience to lead the Board of Directors, promoting good governance and providing effective and empowering line management to support our CEO. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has the strategic focus, governance understanding, leadership experience and time to support and develop a committed Board and ensure ENSA delivers the best experience for students.

Please see the Job Description and Person Spec for full details.

About ENSA’s Board of Directors

The Board is collectively in charge of ENSA, for upholding its values and aligning it to the Association’s charitable aims. It has overall responsibility for ENSA’s governance: budget-setting and financial reporting, health and safety, human resources and legal compliance.

The Board is made up of 12 Directors: six External Lay Directors (including the Chair) appointed through a competitive process for their professional expertise; three Student Lay Directors who are registered students of Edinburgh Napier University and appointed through a competitive process; and three Sabbatical Officers who are elected by the student body.

In line with charity law, all ENSA’s Directors (elected and appointed) have equal status. Directors have a variety of experience and skills which offer different perspectives, and are all, jointly and severally, liable for the governance of the charity. Directors are expected to take their responsibilities seriously, attend meetings, and manage any conflicts of interests appropriately.