At a Glance
- Tasks: Support Glasgow’s businesses and make a difference in the local community as a trustee.
- Company: GEM Workspaces Ltd, a charity dedicated to reducing poverty and unemployment.
- Benefits: Gain valuable board experience, network with professionals, and contribute to community impact.
- Other info: Unpaid, voluntary role with flexible time commitment and six meetings per year.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your skills and gaining governance experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management or community engagement is preferred.
Are you passionate about supporting Glasgow’s businesses while making a real difference in the local community? We are currently seeking new trustees to join our board. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is keen to contribute to the local community and gain valuable experience in business operations - especially if you are looking for your first board position.
What you’ll gain:
- Insight into the full end-to-end running of a business-focused charity
- Experience in governance, strategic planning, and community impact
- The chance to network with like-minded individuals and develop your professional skills
- The reward of knowing your efforts directly contribute to reducing poverty and unemployment in East Glasgow
This is an unpaid, voluntary role, perfect for someone wishing to give back to the community or seeking that all-important first step into board-level experience.
Our charity GEM Workspaces Ltd is a successful registered charity operating in East Glasgow since 1987. Its foundational objects are to relieve or prevent poverty, or relieve unemployment, through:
- Operating workspace projects
- Providing paid employment
- Promoting schemes of community benefit which further employment opportunity or otherwise assist people in need
- Assisting people in need
GEM furthers these aims by three routes:
- Workspace projects: GEM operates shared-user office space and light industrial units at the Wright Business Centre and Queenslie Workspaces.
- Employability Fund: GEM provides multi-year funding to other registered charities for defined projects focused on training and employability.
- Community Fund: Smaller awards support educational and developmental trips by primary schools in Easterhouse and enhance employment prospects among clients of local charities.
The opportunity: GEM is guided and governed by a board of voluntary, non-executive trustees and the charity now seeks to broaden the range of experience on the board. The opportunity may suit experienced non-executive directors or, particularly given the limited time commitment, someone in senior-level employment seeking a first non-executive position. Candidates who can evidence community engagement in East Glasgow are particularly encouraged to apply.
Criteria sought:
- Operational management or professional experience at a senior level
- East Glasgow community engagement
- Charity / not-for-profit sector
- Marketing
- Facilities management
- Regulatory compliance (health, safety, environmental)
Applications: Applications should take the form of a CV and a short covering note explaining your interest in the role and demonstrating how you match criteria sought. Applications should be sent by email to gillianslater@gemworkspaces.com by 10 April 2026. If you wish to discuss the role please contact us and we will arrange for one of our existing trustees to call you.
Board responsibilities:
- Support and provide advice on GEM’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.
- Approve GEM’s operational strategy and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
- Provide support and challenge to the General Manager and her small team in the exercise of their delegated authority.
- Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.
- Oversee GEM’s budget, monitor financial progress, and review and approve annual financial statements.
- Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.
- Keep abreast of changes in GEM’s operating environment.
- Attend board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to discussions.
- Use independent judgement, acting in good faith to promote and protect GEM’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal or any third party interests.
- Contribute to the broader promotion of GEM’s objects, aims and reputation through application of their skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.
Time commitment: Under normal circumstances, there are six board meetings annually, held at the Wright Business Centre during normal office hours (and each of approximately two hours duration). Board papers are issued in advance of each meeting. Trustees are expected to provide additional support to the small team at GEM in matters of their own expertise.
Non Executive Director/Trustee employer: Wright Business Centre
GEM Workspaces Ltd is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the East Glasgow community. As a trustee, you will gain invaluable experience in governance and strategic planning while working alongside passionate individuals dedicated to reducing poverty and unemployment. The supportive work culture fosters professional growth and networking opportunities, making it an ideal first step into board-level experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Non Executive Director/Trustee
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Wright Business Centre.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Wright Business Centre.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Wright Business Centre.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Wright Business Centre. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Non Executive Director/Trustee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Wright Business Centre. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Non Executive Director/Trustee, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wright Business Centre
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Wright Business Centre. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
