Marketing and Communications Manager (Maternity Cover)

To oversee and deliver the charity’s marketing and communications activity across brand, digital engagement, campaigns and supporter communications, while leading and developing the team to maximise awareness, engagement and income opportunities. The Head of Income and Engagement is responsible for diversifying and growing Dog Aid Scotland’s fundraising income streams as well as overseeing the charity's strategic communications and marketing activity. Reporting directly to the CEO, the role will develop and deliver a comprehensive Income and Engagement Strategy that ensures sustainable income growth, deepens supporter engagement and increases awareness of this long‑standing charity. As well as working at a high level, this will be a hands‑on, operational role which is expected to work directly with donors and lead on fundraising activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Income and Engagement Strategies aimed to grow income sustainably and significantly increase awareness of the charity.
• Grow income from individual giving, regular giving, fundraising events and legacy giving, whilst looking to develop further income streams such as major donors, trusts and foundations in future.
• Develop a strong donor journey that is engaging, from recruitment and stewardship to longer‑term donor retention.
• Create and deliver an engagement strategy focused on growing brand awareness, deepening engagement and understanding of the charity, its impact and services.

The Finance Manager will have responsibility for and oversight of the financial management within Dog Aid Scotland, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. This will include day‑to‑day financial functions across the charity, working closely across the small but dedicated team, to ensure the organisation operates effectively and sustainably. The role will support the charity’s strategic objectives including long‑term financial sustainability and ensuring compliance with charity governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic finance and business leadership, responsible for all of the charity’s accounts and financial processes.
• Financial planning and budgeting, including putting together budgets, producing forecasts and management accounts.
• Working closely with the CEO on long‑term financial planning that aligns and enables wider charity strategy.
• Compliance, systems and controls, including oversight of Xero accounting system and ensuring compliance with charity financial regulations.

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 Station's 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 Station’s refurbishing, skills development, community, volunteering and communications teams to ensure a strong customer experience.
• Lead on developing messaging, with support from the Communications Team, to create marketing materials that facilitate expansion of The Bike Station's commercial and giving opportunities.
• Monitor performance against budget and implement 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.
• Perform other tasks as 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 than formal qualifications.
• Strong business acumen, evidence of successful income generation and a practical and effective approach.
• 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 (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 and line‑managing teams.

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. This is 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.