Foundation Scotland is an independent charity that provides funding to charities, social enterprises and community organisations. We do this on behalf of over 400 individuals, charitable trusts and companies.

Foundation Scotland is on a growth trajectory. The Board are committed to supporting this growth and have set aside funds for investment in technology and systems improvement. We use SunSytems for accounting and budgeting and have interfaces to our Grantmaking and Donor Database [Salesforce] and invoices and expenses system [ExpenseIn]

To support this growth, we’re looking for an Accounts Assistant who will play a key role in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of our accounting data across SunSystems and Salesforce. You’ll work mainly through established interface tools, with some manual processing, and you’ll be encouraged and supported to explore new ways of streamlining tasks and enhancing automation as we evolve.

You’ll be joining a supportive and collaborative team. We work primarily from home, with opportunities to come together in person a few times each month in Edinburgh, ensuring a balance of flexibility, connection and shared learning.

This is a fantastic role for someone who loves continuous improvement, enjoys making systems run better and takes pride in delivering reliable, timely financial information, all while offering excellent customer care.

In return, Foundation Scotland offers a generous and supportive package, including 35 days annual leave, training and development opportunities, flexible working, employer pension contributions and a progressive pay system with benchmarked annual increases.

Founded in 1875, the Cockburn Association is Edinburgh’s Civic Trust. It is a registered Scottish Charity with stated objectives as:

• The maintenance and improvement of the amenity of the City of Edinburgh and its neighbourhood;
• The protection and preservation of the city’s landscape and historic & architectural heritage.

In practice, the Cockburn Association has evolved to take an interest in many other aspects of the city’s development and management in accordance with sustainability principles:

• Supporting the protection of the landscape setting of the city and significant open spaces that contribute to the city’s unique character
• Promoting the improvement of the aesthetic and functional quality of shared spaces such as public squares, parks, streets and footways
• Advocating for sustainable transport systems sensitive to different needs for accessibility and mobility
• Encouraging high quality contemporary design for buildings and the public realm.

Our VISION is: A thriving Edinburgh where our heritage is created, protected, and enjoyed by all

Our MISSION is: We galvanise civic action to inspire stewardship, ownership, access, and appreciation of Edinburgh’s built and natural heritage

Our VALUES are:

1. We are an independent organisation that acts with integrity to monitor change and provide well informed, evidence-based advice to secure long-term benefits for the city.
2. As a respected body, we advocate for positive change through constructive dialogue and critical challenge with the aim of delivering successful outcomes.
3. We work in partnership with others to pursue wider public interest, engaging with our members and Edinburgh’s communities so that inclusive and wider views are represented and heard.

Role Purpose:

Often the first point of contact for Members, partners and media, you’ll work with a range of stakeholders across the city, playing an integral role in one of the world’s oldest conservation charities. You’ll work with our small team of two, and our incredible volunteers to design and deliver a new audience engagement plan. You’ll support and grow our Membership through the delivery of events from our annual talks and tours to Edinburgh’s Doors Open Days (part of Scotland’s largest free heritage festival). You’ll embed our new CRM, manage budgets, and report progress to the Board, funders and wider stakeholders. There will be lots of opportunities to engage in research, embark on and strengthen partnerships, and work with communities across the city and beyond. Ideally, you’ll have a passion for Edinburgh and enjoy working flexibly and dynamically to meet our charity’s needs. It’s an exciting time to join the Association, as we embark on the delivery of our new Business Plan, take back the coordination of Edinburgh’s Doors Open Days, and work with international and local partners to build evidence for the city’s 2040 Plan. Join us and help ensure that Edinburgh is a thriving city where our heritage is created, protected, and enjoyed by all.

Background

This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to work with a driven team in one of Scotland’s most well regarded and effective local active travel and bike refurbishing charities.

The Bike Station has been based in the community for over 20 years, with a credible reputation of recycling, refurbishing and reusing donated bikes and making bikes available within the community.

Our communities continue to be under increasing pressure with the cost-of-living crisis and within a climate crisis.

Enabling more people to choose cycling has multiple financial, health and social benefits and the demand for our services has grown in recent years.

We are looking for a confident and strategic Development Manager to build strong relationships and develop services that will significantly enhance their sustainable income.

This role will create and lead our long-term unrestricted income and business opportunities.

Primary Aim

Contribute to the long-term sustainability of The Bike Station by increasing unrestricted income.

Purpose of the role

• Explore and source public giving commercial opportunities in alignment with The Bike Stations strategic objectives.
• Analyse market data to support opportunities for business development with existing and potential clients and provide recommendations to success and routes to increased revenue.
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships and relationships developing strong working relationships with key stakeholders, influencing decisions both internally & externally.
• Develop and deliver our commercial income opportunities including our skills development programme, corporate volunteering and public giving campaigns.
• Collaborate with The Bike Stations refurbishing, skills development, community, volunteering and communications teams to ensure strong customer experience .
• Lead on developing messaging, with the support from the Communications Team, to create marketing materials that facilitates expansion of The Bike Stations commercial and giving opportunities.
• Monitor performance against budget and implementing action plans to ensure achievement of budget targets.
• Line manage Volunteer Development Officer and Communications Officer to ensure programmes of activity are well resourced, ensuring high quality with a commitment to continuous improvement and return custom.
• Such other tasks as may be required which are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the post.

Person Specification

Real experience, aptitude, values, fit with team and a passion for cycling are more important to us than formal qualifications.

That being said this post requires strong business acumen, evidence of successful income generation and a practical and effective approach.

Essential

• Confident, self-motivated and proactive with excellent communication, organisational and people skills.
• An excellent understanding of third sector and commercial business development including charitable trading, grants and contracts.
• Evidence of securing unrestricted income through commercial and public giving campaigns
• An excellent relationship builder with people and professionals from a range of backgrounds and sectors: ideally someone with gravitas and integrity.
• Ability to process complex information, analyse data and articulate it well to a range of audiences and stakeholders.
• Experience of completing financial and resource analyses of opportunities to create sustainable options and lead on creating appropriate plans. This can include options appraisals, business plans, funding assessments.
• Experience of preparing programme budgets including financial reports and cash flow forecasts.
• Ability to problem-solve and design and implement solutions.
• Ability to manage their time effectively, multitask, work on several projects simultaneously with tight timescales.
• Proficient in the use of technology and willing to learn new ways of working as needed.
• An excellent team player and willing to share skills and knowledge with co-workers with experience developing an line managing teams