circa 60,000+ 5% pension Glasgow or Edinburgh About Firstport

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1 Job title: Reporting to: Salary: Hours: Based: Start date: Chief Executive Chair of the Board circa 60,000+ 5% pension Full time Glasgow or Edinburgh Immediate About Firstport Firstport is Scotland s development agency for start-up social enterprise. We support early stage social enterprises and highly-motivated people to test, refine and grow their ideas into viable social businesses. We incubate new social ventures, from the seed of an idea to start-up and growth. We do this by providing a package of support and resources that includes start-up funds, business advice, training, practical tools and connections to help social entrepreneurs make their ideas a reality. We are the sole provider of start-up support for Just Enterprise, a Scottish Government funded programme providing advice, support and training to social enterprises and third sector organisations. We also manage and deliver the Social Entrepreneurs Fund, an awards programme that provides seed funding to new start-ups focused on delivering real social or environmental benefits to people and communities. Firstport delivers a range of initiatives to find, encourage and support individuals who want to start something good What if Girvan and Vital Spark in Argyll & the Islands, our two placebased programmes encouraging local people to set up social enterprises that make their areas better; and LaunchMe, the accelerator programme for ambitious social enterprises looking to attract new investors to help them rapidly scale up and grow their impact. More information is available at

2 Job advert Are you looking for a job that pays more than just the bills? Somewhere you can make a real difference in Scotland? Firstport is a fresh thinking and growing organisation supporting people across all of Scotland to start something good. We call them social entrepreneurs. We re looking for a new Chief Executive who has the confidence, experience and creativity to lead the organisation through its next exciting phase of growth. As an experienced leader you ll develop, implement and inspire others on our future strategy, fulfilling our vision of social enterprises playing a key role in society, transforming lives, communities and the economy. In line with our future growth plans you will lead on business development activities, spotting opportunities, preparing proposals and responding to tenders. With highly developed communication and negotiation skills you will be responsible for nurturing and maintaining all of our key relations. Commercially minded you will prepare budget and forecast updates reporting to the Board, underpinned by a social and moral conscience that s at the heart of our organisation s culture and values. An effective public speaker and presenter you ll also be comfortable promoting our key messages across traditional and new media. Ideally you will have prior experience working with startups and/or social enterprises. To apply, visit to download a full job description, application form and equal opportunities form. Submit your complete application pack by 5pm on Friday 8 September to elaine@firstport.org.uk. Interviews will take place second half of September 2017.

3 Job role specification To develop and implement with contribution from others, both inside and outside the organisation, a coherent strategic direction for Firstport which enables it to fulfil the stated aim of supporting the development of social enterprise To provide inspiring leadership of the organisation Establish a programme of wide engagement in the social enterprise sphere and beyond in order to identify future opportunities and raise Firstport s profile To manage the organisation s services and operations to the required quality, cost and other operational performance targets To be the point of accountability for all of the organisation s activities under the governance arrangements established by the Board of Trustees Key duties & responsibilities: Strategic direction - responsible for setting out the future direction of the organisation following input from all stakeholders (Board, funders, Scottish government, current and potential entrepreneurs and staff). Responsible for the communication of the strategic plan to all stakeholders. Business development responsible for agreeing targets, developing key relationships, developing services, agreeing funding and authorising contracts for services Marketing / communications responsible for planning marketing strategy and maintaining coherent approach to communicating Firstport s offerings to a wide range of relevant parties. Shared responsibility with Head of Marketing / Communications for being spokesperson for Firstport to media. Finance - responsible for all aspects of business planning for the organisation and the modelling of potential income streams and service development plans. Prepare budget and forecast updates for the financial year to reflect an ever-changing situation. Responsible for the content and presentation of the end of year financial and impact reports. Operations - responsible for identifying the nature/timing of future service development and ensuring the requisite resources are in place to support the development.

4 Premises and Equipment responsible for identifying location / size / facilities of Firstport offices and agreeing contracts with landlord. Responsible for signing off ICT requirements, office furniture, cleaning / maintenance contracts and stationery. Statutory obligations Health, Safety and Environment accountable for ensuring risk assessments are carried out for offices, events and other statutory needs. Accountable for ensuring that all health and safety procedures / checks are performed to an agreed schedule and that issues arising are dealt with promptly. Reporting to relevant agencies and the Trustees as required. Financial accounting and reporting of information to the relevant bodies Employment law oversight of all employer obligations and worker rights The role is accountable to the Board of Trustees within the governance arrangements established and to funders within the terms of agreed contracts. The role has a major impact on the results and success of the organisation. Errors may have a serious adverse impact on the organisation s future ability to operate particularly where Firstport s reputation is concerned. Person specification - skills and key qualities Qualified to degree level or equivalent Knowledge of issues in the social enterprise sphere across Scotland Experience of working with start-up businesses 7-10 years managerial experience Sound knowledge / understanding of funding mechanisms and processes Detailed knowledge of policy / decision making framework in this area and the capability to influence it Highly developed contacts base within the social enterprise sphere which are of use to Firstport s work Highly developed and flexible communication and people skills to ensure maximum influencing and promotion capability for the organisation High level people management skills workforce planning, deployment and development to ensure engagement and contribution from all employees, entrepreneurs, partners and potential partners across a number of disciplines Ability to think strategically and plan resources appropriately, with high levels of uncertainty and ambiguity Ability to think creatively to link tactical activity with the strategic vision Sound financial skills able to prepare / present budgets and forecasts

5 Clear thinker, who is able to set own priorities, objectives and plans and manages time accordingly Able to travel widely across Scotland to visit any location where the organisation operates, or may operate Responsible for the safety of all employees and people in Firstport offices and / or participating in Firstport events