Partnerships development account manager volunteer roles in Edinburgh

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for education, social impact and widening access to STEM careers?

The Engineering Development Trust (EDT) is seeking a Chair of Trustees to lead its Board at a pivotal time, as EDT works towards its ambitious goal of reaching 1 million Industrial Cadets while navigating a challenging charity landscape.

 We’re looking for someone with senior leadership experience, strong understanding of charity governance and finance, and the ability to support and challenge at Board level.

About EDT

EDT is a UK-wide education charity delivering over 50,000 learning experiences each year through the Industrial Cadets Awards. We bring together employers, educators and young people aged 9–21, helping them explore STEM pathways and access rewarding future careers. EDT plays a critical role in tackling skills gaps, improving social mobility and increasing diversity across STEM industries.

About the role

This is a high-impact trustee leadership opportunity for someone who wants to shape the future of a national charity. As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership to the Board, ensuring strong governance, financial oversight and organisational effectiveness.

You will work closely with the Chief Executive, acting as a trusted sounding board while maintaining accountability for delivering EDT’s mission and strategy. You will also act as an ambassador, representing EDT to partners, funders and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Board of Trustees
• Ensure effective charity governance and compliance
• Oversee financial health and sustainability
• Support and challenge the Chief Executive
• Lead Board development and performance
• Act as an external ambassador for EDT

About You

We are looking for a collaborative, credible and values-driven leader who can bring:

• Senior leadership experience (Board or executive level)
• Strong understanding of charity governance, finance and strategy
• Experience working with or alongside Boards of Trustees
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• The ability to lead with integrity, inclusivity and sound judgement

Experience in STEM, education or skills development is beneficial but not essential. Most importantly, you will share our commitment to improving opportunities for young people.

Commitment

• Approx. 4 Board meetings per year plus committee involvement
• Regular engagement with the Chief Executive
• Attendance at key events and stakeholder meetings

This is a voluntary role with reasonable expenses reimbursed.

Why join EDT?

This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across the UK, while helping to address critical skills shortages in STEM. You will join a committed Board and executive team and play a central role in shaping EDT’s future at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the sector.

We actively welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in business development, corporate partnerships, account management, sales, CSR, philanthropy, or fundraising to use their skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees.
You will play a key role in helping Plateful Café develop relationships with local and national businesses, generating support through corporate donations, sponsorship, employee volunteering, catering contracts, and long-term strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities
Corporate Engagement

• Identify and research prospective corporate partners aligned with Plateful Café's mission.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential supporters and business contacts.
• Introduce Plateful Café to local businesses, corporate foundations, and employers.
• Arrange introductory meetings and networking opportunities.
• Support the development of corporate partnership proposals and presentations.

Income Generation

• Help secure financial donations, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
• Identify opportunities for corporate grant funding and charitable giving programmes.
• Promote employee fundraising opportunities and workplace giving schemes.
• Explore sponsorship opportunities for training programmes, events, and community activities.

Catering and Enterprise Development

• Promote Plateful Café's corporate catering services to local businesses.
• Identify opportunities for meetings, events, lunches, conferences, and hospitality catering.
• Support the development of long-term catering relationships and repeat customers.
• Help position Plateful Café as a preferred socially responsible catering supplier.

Employee Volunteering and Skills Sharing

• Develop opportunities for corporate volunteering.
• Encourage businesses to provide mentoring, employability support, and workplace visits for our trainees.
• Build relationships that create pathways into employment for refugees completing our training programmes.

Strategic Support

• Provide advice on corporate engagement and relationship management.
• Help strengthen our corporate partnership strategy.
• Support impact reporting and stewardship of existing partners where required.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has
Essential

• Experience working in a corporate environment, business development, account management, sales, marketing, CSR, partnerships, fundraising, or a related field.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and business leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and supporting refugees.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG, or social value initiatives.
• Experience securing sponsorships, partnerships, or fundraising income.
• Existing business networks in London.
• Experience developing corporate volunteering programmes.

What You Will Gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Experience supporting a growing and ambitious social enterprise charity.
• The chance to shape and influence our corporate partnerships strategy.
• Opportunities to meet business leaders, charity professionals, and community partners.
• A reference and recognition for your contribution.
• The satisfaction of helping create employment opportunities and brighter futures for people rebuilding their lives in the UK.

Our Values
At Plateful Café, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, belong, and thrive. We celebrate diversity, value lived experience, and use food to bring communities together.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from individuals with experience of migration, displacement, or supporting diverse communities.

Are you ready to use your leadership, wisdom, and faith to make a tangible, life-changing impact across the UK? Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is embarking on an exciting new chapter as the nation’s largest specialist community-based debt help provider, and we are looking for dedicated volunteer Trustees to help guide our mission. For over 30 years, CAP has partnered with local churches to release thousands from the crushing chains of debt and poverty, restoring hope, financial resilience, and introducing people to the transformational love of Jesus. As a vital member of our Board, you will provide the strategic direction and prayerful governance needed to steer an agile, innovative £15m organization—vanguarding AI-driven solutions and cutting-edge platforms—while navigating a challenging economic landscape. If you are an active Christian with senior-level experience in fundraising, financial management, or strategic partnerships, this is your invitation to join a thoughtful, bold, and joyful team united to see transformed lives, thriving churches, and an ultimate end to UK poverty

Vision Action is a unique organisation that works in low- and middle-income countries, supporting national governments to deliver and strengthen their eye health strategies. We work in partnership with local governments, civil society organisations, international and national NGOs, and the private sector. Our ambition is to increase equitable access to eye care services and glasses and accelerate achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5.

The role of the board is to oversee the overall direction and activities of the charity, including its policies and procedures, to ensure that they are consistently in accordance with the charitable purposes defined in the objects clause in its constitution. The board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the charity, although the implementation of strategy is achieved through the executive team. The board must always act in the best interests of Vision Action, taking decisions as a group and not as individuals.

Terms of service

For Vision Action the trustees are members who have been elected to serve on the board. Vision Action’s constitution allows for up to 12 trustees, who can serve a maximum of three consecutive terms of three years.  Vision Action is a company limited by guarantee and the trustees are its legal directors. The trustee role is voluntary, although relevant expenses incurred in the course of fulfilling trustee responsibilities are reimbursable in line with organisational policy.

Trustees are appointed by the Vision Action board of trustees annually at the board meeting following the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The time commitment involved in being a trustee includes attendance at four board meetings per year, one of which is an all-day strategy session. Board meetings are typically held for half a day on a weekday afternoon, with at least half the meetings taking place online.  Board papers are circulated in advance for review and preparation.

In addition, trustees are expected to attend the AGM, which is usually held on a weekend, as well as occasional members’ forums or other Vision Action events, which are often arranged alongside board meetings in the evening. Trustees may also be asked to participate in ad hoc meetings or online discussions relating to specific topics. Sub-committee meetings are also held in advance of board meetings, and trustees are also expected to participate in one or more of these groups depending on their expertise and responsibilities. Trustees will also be expected to commit time to undertake a full induction process.

Main tasks

Charity trustees have ultimate responsibility for directing the affairs of the charity and ensuring it is solvent, well-run and delivering the charitable outcomes for the benefit of the public for which it has been set up. Each trustee will be expected to join one of the two sub-committees (Programmes and Research; Fundraising and Finance).  The committees meet (in person or remotely) at least four times per year, usually timed with or in advance of the board meetings. 

General responsibilities

• Ensure th[JT1] at Vision Action complies with its governing document (i.e. its constitution[JT2]  and byelaws), charity law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that Vision Action pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• Ensure Vision Action applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects, i.e. it must not spend money on activities which are not included in the objects, however worthwhile they may be.
• Contribute actively to the board’s role in the formulation and review of strategy, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Safeguard the good name and values of Vision Action and maintain good relations with its members.
• Ensure that all policies are implemented, monitored and reports are acted upon, (including the policies on harassment and misconduct, safeguarding, recruitment of ex-offenders, and anti- bribery).
• Strive for Vision Action to reflect the full diversity of society in all its activities.
• Ensure the financial stability of Vision Action.
• Protect and manage the property of Vision Action and ensure the proper investment of its funds.
• Appoint and support key leadership and monitor their performance.

In addition to the above statutory responsibilities, each trustee should attend board meetings and use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board reach sound decisions.  This may involve leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, evaluation or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise; and then always upholding the decisions taken by Board. Trustees are also expected to support Vision Action’s fundraising initiatives.

Treasurer specific responsibilities

Hold specific responsibilities relevant to the role:

• Chair the fundraising and finance sub-committee, overseeing and advising on the financial risks, challenges, health and resilience of the charity, reporting back to the full board.
• Monitor and advise on the financial viability of the charity, including the financial risks. This should include regular monitoring of cost recovery.
• Advise the board on the financial implications of its plans and policies.
• Monitor the preparation of budgets, accounts and financial statements and their presentation to the board.

Ensure policies and practices are in keeping with aims:

• Oversee the development and implementation of financial reserves, cost‐recovery and investment policies.
• Annually review the financial control framework to identify any changes, gaps and potential areas of exposure.
• Oversee the development and review of other policies and procedures as delegated to the fundraising and finance sub-committee by the board.

Ensure best practice:

• Support the Co-CEO (finance & operations) in preparing and presenting the budgets, management accounts and annual financial statements to the board, ensuring it receives a fully informed picture of the charity’s financial performance, position and effectiveness.
• Liaise with the Co-Chief Executive Officers and, as appropriate, with the investment advisors and auditors on matters relating to the organisation’s financial activities.
• Provide board‐level liaison with the external auditors on specific issues such as the auditors’ management letter, auditor remuneration and related board representations.
• Lead on recommending the appointment of new auditors to members of the organisation.
• Work with the Finance and Operations Manager to ensure that proper accounts and records are maintained, and that financial resources are spent and invested in line with good governance and legal and regulatory requirements.
• With the Finance & Operations Manager and the Joint Chief Executive Officers, closely monitor the reserves and investment plan, providing assurance to the board on the organisation’s future financial stability.
• Review all management accounts before they are placed before the board.

Personal specification

All our trustees are expected to have:

• A commitment to Vision Action’s vision and mission.
• A commitment to our values: being evidence-based, being inclusive, having integrity, sustainable programmes and being collaborative.
• Willingness to devote the time and effort needed to fulfil the role.
• Integrity.
• Strategic vision.
• Good, independent judgement.
• An ability to think creatively.
• A willingness to speak their mind.
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of Vision Action.

The treasurer will have:

• Experience as a director of finance (or equivalent) and/or in a treasurer role, with extensive experience of overseeing financial and management accounting, financial reporting, monitoring and controls, and external audit.
• An understanding of charity accounting and reporting standards (Charities SORP 2026), or a willingness to develop this through personal learning and development.
• A recognised accountancy qualification (CAAB) and
• Experience in international development would be an advantage.

The position is supported by the CEO who is an accountant and a part time bookkeeper.

The Next Step

We welcome questions and a discussion on our current financial circumstances with our treasurer and chair. Our treasurer retires in 2026, and we would like to involve any new appointment in our committees and board meeting in the last part of this year.

�� Guardian Light Foundation Board of Directors – Roles, Expectations & Benefits �� Our Mission

Guardian Light Foundation (GLF) is a for-profit social enterprise dedicated to transforming the lives of homeless and abused children, teenagers, and struggling single-parent families. We provide safe housing, education, career pathways, legal aid, and life-skills support to help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.

We are building not just an organisation — but a movement of hope, empowerment, and social impact.

�� BOARD EXPECTATIONS (Applies to ALL Members)

Every GLF board member plays a direct role in the success and sustainability of the organisation.

�� Core Expectations

• Fundraising Commitment:
  Every board member must actively participate in fundraising campaigns, donor outreach, and sponsorship drives.
  Each member is required to make a personal monthly donation to the organisation (amount optional but meaningful).

• Time Commitment:
  Minimum of 20 hours per month, including board meetings, subcommittee work, fundraising events, and strategic planning.

• Ambassadorship:
  Represent GLF publicly as a visible ambassador at community events, speaking engagements, and networking functions.

• Governance & Accountability:
  Ensure the organisation operates ethically, transparently, and in alignment with its mission and legal obligations.

• Strategic Leadership:
  Contribute skills, knowledge, and professional networks to advance the organisation’s growth, partnerships, and visibility.

• Passion for the Mission:
  Demonstrated commitment to supporting children, teenagers, and single-parent families experiencing hardship.

�� OVERALL BOARD MEMBER BENEFITS

• Prestige: Founding member of a ground-breaking national social enterprise.

• Networking: Exclusive access to philanthropists, public officials, and corporate leaders.

• Leadership Development: Gain board-level governance and strategic experience.

• Impact Legacy: Directly shape programs that provide homes, hope, and opportunity for hundreds of lives.

• Visibility: Public recognition through GLF website, media, and national campaigns.

• Personal Fulfilment: Be part of a purpose-driven organisation changing the narrative for children and families in need.

�� IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE (For All Roles)

We are looking for leaders who are:

• Deeply passionate about social impact, youth empowerment, and family stability.

• Professionally experienced (1+ years) in their area of expertise.

• Team players who bring creativity, positivity, and initiative.

• Connected and influential, willing to open doors and amplify GLF’s message.

• Dedicated, committing time, expertise, and monthly donations.

Position: Board of Director - Treasurer (Unpaid Volunteer Role)

Reports to: Board Chairperson

Location: Hybrid (remote + in-person events as needed)

Responsibilities:

• Oversee all financial matters including budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.

• Ensure compliance with statutory financial regulations and charity law.

• Work closely with auditors and the Finance Committee.

• Present financial reports at each board meeting.

• Support fundraising and resource management strategy.

Requirements:

• Background in finance, accounting, or business administration.

• Knowledge of charity finance and UK financial reporting standards.

• Integrity and attention to detail.

Benefits:

• Direct influence over financial sustainability and impact measurement.

• Recognition in philanthropic financial management networks.

Compensation:
This is an unpaid volunteer position.