Board Member

Closing date: 28/07/2025

Voluntary position.

The job is Hybrid based on:

Edinburgh

This position is part-time
Closing date: 28/07/2025

About this job:

We are looking for two new board members to broaden and strengthen the skills, experience and diversity of our existing board. As a board member, you will oversee the general functioning of the organisation, as well as play an important role in shaping our future direction. Each board member is expected to provide support and motivation to the rest of the board and the Chief Executive.

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee appropriate governance and financial management arrangements for the organisation, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation
  • Together with the Chair, provide strategic direction to the company whilst avoiding becoming involved in day-to-day operational matters
  • Maintain and regularly review Firstport’s systems of internal controls, performance reporting, policies, and procedures
  • Review and assess the risks to which Firstport is subject, and take action to avoid or mitigate identified risks
  • Attend quarterly board meetings – online & in Edinburgh – and actively participate in Board and sub-committees’ work
  • Communicate effectively both within the board and on behalf of Firstport externally to a variety of stakeholders
  • Maintain links with the wider social enterprise, business, and public sector, where these are relevant to the work of Firstport
  • Prepare for funding panels and making decisions on seed funding applications
  • When possible, attend events and activities organised by or on behalf of Firstport, Firstimpact, or Firstfund
  • Uphold the highest ethical standards of integrity and comply with the Board’s code of conduct

Competencies:

  • Commercial acumen and business experience, with an understanding of the challenges faced by small businesses, start-ups, and in raising investment
  • Effective communication, able to build relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders and work co-operatively within a team setting
  • A commitment to the vision, mission, and values of the Firstport Group
  • A general understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to successfully perform the tasks of running and developing the organisation.
  • Experience of strategic management with the ability to analyse, review and challenge complex issues and make balanced judgements
  • Passion for and with proven interest in the social enterprise sector
  • Confidence in networking, with a wide range of contacts in the sectors mentioned above
  • An openness to new ideas and able to work cooperatively within a team
  • Positivity, proactiveness and able to motivate and support the board and the Chief Executive
As accredited Investors in Diversity, we are committed to having a balanced and diverse board, reflecting the people and communities we work with. To strengthen this commitment, in 2024 we amended our Articles of Association to lock diversity into our Board and our Governance.
With a couple of board members reaching the end of their terms, we are specifically looking to appoint two individuals who are, or identify as female and who also bring a diverse perspective or lived experience of one the following:
-Global majority
-The LGBTQ+ community
-Living with a disability
-Aged between 18-26
This role is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to use their skills and experience to shape the future of a vibrant, forward-thinking organisation and make a meaningful contribution to the social enterprise sector in Scotland.

Qualifications:

No specific qualifications required

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How to Apply:

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