Brand marketing executive volunteer roles in Edinburgh

United Nations CSO, Centre for Big Synergy, seeks a Partnerships Advisor/Lead to lead strategic partnerships for various educational and creative programs including the World's biggest sustainability film festival and awards.

What will you be doing?

This is an opportunity to build a very high profile network for furthering your career and also to gain professional esteem and presence.

Big Syn Institute (BSI) is a part of the Centre for Big Synergy and has been organising the Big Syn International Film Festival (BSIFF) since 2019.

The partnerships lead will work closely with senior leadership to identify and engage in commercial and strategic relationships with key partners, both online and offline, for the activities of BSI, London for various creative projects it runs including the World's Biggest sustainability film fest & awards.

Since 2019, the Big Syn Institute has hosted the festival has reached over 50M people and in over 120 countries. Through relevant shorts, features, animations, documentaries, CSR videos and Public Service Videos, Charity films, the festival advocates the United Nations 17 Global Goals and also celebrates the work of UK's marginalised filmmakers. 

OSCAR, BAFTA and EMMY award-winners, as well as other luminaries from film and media, sustainability, and policy have been part of the festival and have supported it since inception. Winners from the festival have eventually won OSCARS and EMMY awards

We are looking for a motivated networker with a can-do attitude who enjoys networking and establishing relationships. The partnerships manager, working closely with our team must be able to:

• Identify, cultivate, and secure high‑value funders, corporate patrons, and philanthropic partners.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of investors, donors, and strategic collaborators.
• Develop compelling partnership propositions, sponsorship decks, and investment narratives tailored to each stakeholder.
• Lead negotiations and close partnership agreements that advance the institute’s creative, cultural, and educational objectives.
• Work closely with executive leadership to align partnership strategy with the institute’s mission and long‑term vision.
  • Collaborate with programming, marketing, legal, and finance teams to deliver high‑impact partnerships.
  • Monitor industry trends, funding landscapes, and corporate CSR priorities to anticipate new opportunities.
• Take ownership as one of most important people associated with the BSI's activities, festivals and awards
• Think strategically to identify and establish new partnerships whilst exploring new engagements with the existing partner network
• Communicate with a very high professional standard with the leadership of partner organisations, some being the biggest corporations in their sector
• Maintain a database with existing and new partnerships and updates on progress made
• Explore ideas, both in house, and with potential and new partners, to come up with creative ideas of collaboration to further common goals

What are we looking for?

A committed and meticulous person, passionate about making the world a more sustainable, safer and peaceful place

• Proven experience: 3 or more years of communicating and working with senior leadership across organisations and identifying potential partners and stakeholders
• Strategic Relationship Builder: able to cultivate trust with senior executives, philanthropists, brand leaders, and industry stakeholders.
• Commercially Astute: understands how funding, sponsorship, and co‑financing models work across film, culture, and corporate CSR.
• Compelling Communicator: exceptional written and verbal communication, able to craft persuasive pitches, proposals, and partnership narratives.
• Diplomatic and Credible: carries themselves with the gravitas needed to represent an institute in high‑level settings.
• Creative Thinker: able to design partnership concepts that feel fresh, mutually beneficial, and aligned with the institute’s mission.
• Resilient and Proactive: comfortable navigating long sales cycles, complex stakeholders, and shifting industry landscapes.
• Highly Organised: manages pipelines, reporting, and stewardship with precision.
• Mission‑Driven: genuinely committed to the cultural, educational, or social purpose of the institute.

What difference will you make?

Billions of people globally, are unaware of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) let alone take any steps to create a more sustainable world for themselves and in the process for others in this complexly interconnected world.

This highlights the need for such initiatives to educate the British as well as global societies about the UN SDGs. Your contributions can educate and inspire millions to act on the SDGs and bring positive changes that will impact all of us in this complexly interconnected world.

Most importantly your efforts will  ensure that the film festival and the UK's marginalised filmmakers (LGBTQI+, women, disabled and ethnic minorities) get even more visibility, thus furthering the motto of the festival to celebrate inclusion and diversity whilst inspiring the civic society to act on the Global Goals. It will also help partner organisations join forces and work in synergy to amplify the impact of the initiative through communal as well as individual efforts. Thus, benefitting more lives that we would have helped acting alone.

Company Description

We would love you to join us in being part of the Durrell team.

As a leading conservation organisation, we have an important job in saving species from extinction and creating a wilder, healthier, more colourful world.

It takes a great team to save wildlife and we need a wide range of skills to make it happen. Everyone at Durrell plays their part – whether they deliver conservation initiatives, engage with our supporters, promote our brand, or look after our people.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is an international conservation charity, headquartered at Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands, working to save species from extinction through "intensive care" breeding of threatened species across the globe, rewilding of ecosystems, and the training of the next generation of conservation heroes. Durrell leads some of the world’s longest running and most successful species and habitat recovery programmes.

Established by author and conservationist Gerald Durrell in 1959, Durrell’s aim is for more diverse and resilient natural landscapes in which species can thrive and people can enjoy a deeper connection with nature.

Durrell delivers its conservation mission through our three integrated core areas of operation:

•Field Programmes: conservation action where it is needed most.

•Conservation Knowledge: training future conservation practitioners, enabling people to more closely connect with nature, delivering the science guiding Durrell’s mission and measuring our impacts.

•Jersey Zoo: a centre of excellence in animal husbandry, research, training, and education.

With a track record of more than 50 years, Durrell leads some of the world’s longest running and most successful species and habitat recovery programmes. The quality of our work is equally as important as how we deliver it. Our values underpin how we approach our work and the work environment we create.

Position

Durrell is looking to recruit three Trustees with skills in:

(i)Human Resources

(ii)Legal

(iii)Public Affairs Communications

The positions will report to the Board Chair.

Volunteering as a trustee is a rewarding opportunity to use your skills, experience and insight to make a meaningful difference, shaping strategies that protect biodiversity and becoming part of an impactful conservation institution.

Trustees attend Board meetings held quarterly in Jersey. We value the depth of connection that comes from meeting in person, while recognising the importance of flexibility through virtual attendance.

As a trustee, you will:

·Safeguard the charity’s mission and values, helping ensure it is well governed, compliant and able to thrive for the long term.

·Help shape the future, contributing your insight and judgement to strategic decisions that guide the charity’s direction and impact.

·Provide thoughtful oversight, supporting the responsible and effective use of resources.

·Be a powerful advocate, championing the charity’s work, purpose and values and helping extend its reach within the community.

This is an opportunity to step back from day‑to‑day delivery and contribute at a strategic level, offering challenge, encouragement and guidance, while being part of a committed board united by a shared belief in Durrell’s work.

If you would like to support our mission and vital conservation work, then we would love to hear from you.

We are looking for candidates with the following skill set:

Trustee 1: Human Resources, International & Strategic experience

·Significant senior level experience in HR and people leadership.

·Experienced in influencing strategic organisational direction and future needs.

·Experience working across international and cross-cultural environments.

·Strong understanding of organisational culture, leadership and people risk.

·Ability to operate credibly and constructively at a board level.

Key responsibilities

In addition to general trustee duties, this role will:

·Provide strategic insight on people, culture and organisational development.

·Bring an international and cross-cultural perspective to board discussions and decision making.

·Contribute to discussions on leadership, succession and workforce planning and aid in ensuring that agreed actions are acted upon.

·Act as a valued sounding board to senior leaders on people related risks and opportunities.

Trustee 2: Legal, Corporate / Commercial governance

·Legal experience in a corporate, commercial, charity, regulatory or governance environment.

·Strong understanding of risk, compliance and governance principles.

·Ability to advise the board on governance matters and support sound decision making.

·Comfortable acting as a trusted adviser rather than providing operational legal services.

Key responsibilities

In addition to general trustee duties, this role will:

·Support the board by offering guidance on governance, risk and compliance.

·Help ensure decision-making aligns with legal and regulatory responsibilities.

·Provide high level input on contracts, policy and governance frameworks.

·Support strong board practice.

Trustee 3: Public Affairs Communications

·Professional experience in communications, marketing, media or stakeholder engagement in a charitable, corporate or commercial environment.

·Proven track record in delivering an understanding of reputation, compelling storytelling and audience engagement which support ambitious fundraising targets at a strategic level.

·Proven track record in developing and delivering a successful communications strategy that supports engagement and fundraising objectives.

·Enthusiasm for championing the charity’s mission and impact.

·Skill in crafting effective and impactful narratives.

Key responsibilities

In addition to general trustee duties, this role will:

·Advise on communications and engagement strategy at a board level.

·Support the enhancement/further development of the charity’s reputation, messaging and public profile.

·Offer insight into reaching and engaging key audiences and stakeholders.

·Act as an ambassador for the charity’s mission and impact in line with our organisational values.

Trustees do not have operational responsibilities but are there to provide collective oversight. All trustees share collective responsibility for the governance, strategy and success of the charity. We are looking for individuals who can provide support and challenge in a positive and constructive way to enable the Executive leadership team to deliver DWCT’s strategic goals.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·Passion and genuine interest in our cause, commitment to our mission and our values.

·Having the best interest of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust at the heart of any decisions which are made.

·Ability to think strategically and contribute to high-level discussions.

·Willingness to be an active participant in Board meetings and related activities.

·Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Be a strong team player.

·Previous experience as a Trustee or Board Member of a not-for-profit organisation is advantageous but not essential.

Other information

Our Values

PURPOSEFUL - We are clear on why we do what we do, are connected as an organisation, we understand and demonstrate enabling / delivery, we are passionate about what we do and work tirelessly to achieve it.

ACCOUNTABLE - We are accountable for our actions; we act with integrity and always have the best interests of the Trust at heart. We take it upon ourselves to update our knowledge and deliver excellence, and our ethics are of the utmost importance.

SUPPORTIVE - We develop and encourage our staff, we work as a team, work well with other departments and trust and respect each other. We promote a learning culture, treat people fairly, encourage diversity in the workplace, and value the opinions and views of others.

Trustees are expected to be able to attend four Board meetings a year. Meetings are held in Jersey with remote attendance available. Board members are also expected to be able to commit the approximate equivalent of a further four days per year to Trust business remotely/via e-mail.

Richard Daggett, Chair of Governance Committee will be overseeing the recruitment process for these positions.