Managing Director

Glasgow Wood is looking for an energetic and experienced person to take on the position of Managing Director after our founder and CEO has chosen to step down after seventeen years of leading the organisation. Whilst times are generally always challenging trying to balance the social, environmental and financial aims of our social enterprise, with strong foundations of good trading income, we look forward to the next period of Glasgow Wood’s development with optimism.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating opportunities for people who may have had difficulties and also have the acumen to tackle the challenges of maintaining a sustainable social enterprise. Our organisation prides itself in its can-do attitude and in enabling space for creativity and development. If you see yourself being able to join us and take these things forward, we would really welcome your application.

INTRODUCTION

Glasgow Wood is a social enterprise and charity registered in Scotland, founded in 2006 with the aim of making creative use of waste wood and sustainably sourced timber as a platform for affecting positive environmental and social change. We are based in the Whiteinch area of Glasgow, where we transform our raw materials into commercially viable products for a wide range of customers, including local businesses, private individuals, housing associations, community groups and schools.

Our enterprise employs eighteen people and is a part of the National Community Wood Recycling Network. Our model is based on offering wood waste collection services, selling reclaimed and other timbers and manufacturing a quality range of garden and indoor furniture. The income from this enables us to provide a wide variety of volunteering opportunities to people in our community. We operate with very much of an open door policy and aspire to reach as many parts of our community as possible.

Our Mission

• To use recycling and the creative use of wood waste as a platform for affecting positive social and environmental change. 

Our Vision

• To be the UK’s leading wood collection and recycling service providing life changing opportunities for people facing barriers and social exclusion. 

Our Goals

• To keep wood in circulation for longer while minimising our own environmental impact
• Help people develop new skills to recognise and achieve their full potential.
• To be financially responsible and commercially sustainable

THE PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To maintain Glasgow Wood’s intent to provide a range of volunteering and training opportunities to the community; play a key role in Glasgow’s circular economy; and to maintain the social enterprise’s financially stability.

Balancing the need to be an enterprising business whilst supporting the needs of a wide range of people who may benefit from social inclusion plays a central component to all decision making. Day-to-day, the managing director will direct and control Glasgow Wood’s overall operations in achieving our business planning objectives, have responsibility for 18 staff and give guidance and reports to the board to ensure that the company delivers its mission and strategic objectives.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - MANAGING DIRECTOR POSITION

Knowledge & Experience

Essential: 

• Senior management experience.
• Positive entrepreneurial approach
• Good awareness of the social enterprise landscape. 
• Committed to improving the life chances of others
• Strong grasp of financial management and financial reporting. 
• Significant experience of staff management 
• Experience of writing reports, papers and other key documents (including business / 
• operational plans and policy statements). 
• Track record in relationship and partnership building 
• Experience of engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Good communication skills
• Track record of continuous professional development. 

Desirable: 

• Working knowledge of the Third Sector and / or Social Enterprise 
• Knowledgeable about the Circular Economy
• Experience of training, team building or staff development
• Knowledge of the employability frameworks in Scotland 
• Awareness of compliance with relevant legislative and charity frameworks. 
• High standards of integrity and fairness.