Head of Income Generation and Partnerships

Location: Hybrid working remotely and in office (Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8EG)  

Term: Fixed Term (18 months, with potential to extend) 

Hours: Full-time (Monday-Friday, 35 hours per week) – see website for flexible working options that you might request.  

Salary/Rate: JFC4 £56,870 

Reports to: Chief Executive 

Closing date: Friday 10 May

Interview date: Friday 22 May

About us

We are Young Scot, Scotland’s national youth information and citizenship agency. We’re a constant in the lives of young people, woven into the very fabric of growing up in Scotland. We’ve been delivering direct services for over 40 years to ensure that all young people in Scotland are connected to information, opportunities and experiences that support them to live happy and fulfilling lives. 

Young Scot is a nationally trusted brand with deep reach, strong partnerships and unique assets - including data, insight, participation expertise and access to young people across Scotland. More than 880,000 young people have a Young Scot National Entitlement Card, with more than 160,000 of them signed up as Young Scot members. Last year our young.scot site had almost 1.7million visits, and well over 1000 locations across Scotland offer Young Scot perks and discounts. 

The role

Young Scot is seeking a strategic, entrepreneurial and delivery-focused leader to help shape and drive a step-change in how we generate income and build partnerships. 

This is a pivotal role at a defining moment for the organisation with the recent appointment of a new CEO, as well launching a new organisational strategic vision. As we evolve our operating model and ambitions, you will lead the development of a more diverse, sustainable and innovative income portfolio - ensuring we can continue to deliver meaningful impact for young people aged 11–26 across Scotland. 

Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team (SLT), you will design and implement a new income generation strategy, unlocking opportunities across corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, public sector funding and earned income streams. You will take an “intrapreneurial” approach - building new propositions, testing ideas and embedding a culture where income generation is seen as a shared organisational priority. 

This role offers significant autonomy, creativity and influence. You will be equally comfortable setting strategic direction and personally leading high-value relationships, as you are enabling written bids and researching new partnerships. 

Why this role matters

This role will:

  • Strengthen our financial resilience and long-term sustainability 

  • Unlock new forms of value and social income generation 

  • Expand our influence across sectors and policy areas 

  • Enable us to reach and support more young people 

Key responsibilities: 

1. Strategic Leadership & Income Strategy 

  • Develop and deliver a clear, ambitious income generation and partnerships strategy aligned to organisational priorities, with metrics and deliverables set. 

  • Build a diversified income model across multiple streams (corporate, trusts & foundations, public sector, earned income, philanthropy). 

  • Identify emerging fundraising trends, new tools, opportunities and risks across Scotland, the UK and internationally. 

  • Advise the CEO and SLT on financial sustainability, growth opportunities, and strategic partnerships. 

What success looks like: 

  • A comprehensive and inspiring strategy with clear targets, focus areas and pipeline 

  • Income growth across multiple streams, reducing reliance on single sources. 

  • Income generation and monetisation embedded as a core organisational enabler. 

2. Partnerships & Business Development 

  • Develop and secure high-value partnerships across corporate and other sectors. 

  • Design compelling support propositions, aligning commercial value with social impact. 

  • Build and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities, by understanding the support areas or ‘entry points’ where partners can add value to Young Scot. 

  • Lead development of innovative income streams, including: 

  • Ethical monetisation of Young Scot assets (data, reach, insights, services) 

  • Sponsorships and strategic collaborations 

  • New products or services for partners 

What success looks like: 

  • A growing portfolio of strategically aligned, high-value partnerships. 

  • Strong conversion rate from pipeline to secured income. 

  • Innovative offers that enhance both impact and income. 

 3. Trusts, Foundations & Fundraising 

  • Lead and grow income from trusts, foundations and statutory sources. 

  • With programme leads, develop compelling, outcome-driven cases for support. 

  • Secure multi-year funding aligned to Young Scot strategic priorities. 

  • Oversee high-quality reporting and stewardship. 

What success looks like: 

  • A strong, forward-looking funding pipeline. 

  • Increased success rate and value of bids, 

  • Long-term funder relationships with clear impact reporting. 

4. Relationship Management & External Representation 

  • Build and steward senior-level relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders. 

  • With the CEO, SLT and young people, act as a visible ambassador for Young Scot. 

  • Leverage networks to open new opportunities and raise organisational profile. 

What success looks like: 

  • Partners feel valued, engaged and connected to impact. 

  • Strong external reputation as a trusted and innovative partner. 

5. Delivery, Systems & Performance 

  • Enhance and/or create systems, processes and tools (e.g. CRM) to support income generation. 

  • Set and track income targets, KPIs and performance metrics. 

  • Ensure compliance with fundraising regulation and best practice. 

  • Work with finance colleagues on forecasting, reporting and income tracking. 

What success looks like: 

  • Clear, accurate income forecasting and reporting. 

  • Efficient systems supporting scalable growth. 

  • Strong governance and compliance. 

6. Leadership & Culture 

  • Lead income generation across the organisation - even as a sole or small function. 

  • Build a culture of proactivity, growth-mindset and collaboration. 

  • Support colleagues to identify and contribute to income opportunities. 

  • Contribute to wider organisational leadership and strategy. 

  • Attend a range of internal meetings as requested, support with delivery of key Young Scot events and sessions as required, and other areas as advised by the CEO. 

What success looks like: 

  • A culture where income generation is shared and understood. 

  • Teams feel confident contributing to partnerships and opportunities. 

  • Clear alignment between income, impact and strategy


Person Specification

Essential Experience 

  • Significant sustained experience leading income generation, fundraising, or business development at a senior level 

  • Proven track record of securing income across multiple streams (e.g. trusts & foundations, corporate, public sector, earned income) 

  • Demonstrable success in building high-value partnerships that deliver both income and impact 

  • Experience developing and delivering income strategies and pipelines 

  • Experience personally leading bids, pitches, and negotiations. 

Essential Knowledge & Skills 

  • Strong understanding of the funding and partnership landscape in Scotland and beyond 

  • Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills at a senior level 

  • Ability to translate organisational strengths into compelling propositions and cases for support 

  • Commercial awareness and ability to identify mutual value opportunities 

  • Strong written communication skills, particularly funding applications and proposals 

  • Financial literacy, including budgeting, forecasting and income tracking 

  • Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on. 

Leadership & Capability 

  • Ability to work autonomously and build a function from the ground up 

  • Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on innovation and growth 

  • Strong influencing skills, internally and externally 

  • High levels of resilience, initiative and accountability 

  • Collaborative approach, with the ability to work across teams and sectors. 

Personal Attributes 

  • Proactive, opportunity-focused and solutions-driven 

  • Creative and open to testing new ideas and approaches 

  • Motivated by social impact and improving outcomes for young people 

  • Adaptable and comfortable operating in a changing environment 

  • A clear understanding and belief in the core values of Young Scot. 

Desirable 

  • Existing network of relevant contacts across sectors 

  • Experience in youth sector, public sector or policy-related environments 

  • Experience with digital, data-driven or innovative income generation approaches

Advice on how to apply
Application form

Our journey to becoming an Anti-Racist Ally

At Young Scot, we’re working hard to become an explicitly Anti-Racist organisation. We are doing this by taking a close look at our organisation and identifying what it is we do that contributes to structural racism. As part of this work, we’ve reviewed our recruitment processes and made several changes. You can read more about this important work here.

We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and communities. This will help us to ensure that our staff team represents the young people in Scotland that we serve. We particularly welcome applications from Black people and people of colour, and disabled people – all of whom are currently under-represented at Young Scot.

Behavioural Competencies

Competencies to be assessed at interview stage.  

Achieving Excellence – Level 4 

TAKES RISKS TO ACHIEVE GOALS AND DELIVER STRATEGIC AIMS 

Makes decisions through weighing up all the pros/cons and risk implications and is comfortable in uncertainty.  Is questioning and curious when creating new approaches.  Speaks out for a course of action even when others disagree. Challenges others with respect. 

 

Understanding Issues & Finding Solutions – Level 4 

CREATES ANDAPAPTS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LONG TERM 

Identifies and develops long-term opportunities and issues. Formulates new and ‘off the wall’ ideas and concepts, which creates n potential opportunities. Seeks and engages with different stakeholders to pool resources and expertise. Uses innovative approaches to allow them to be realised and undertakes complex analysis in dealing with these new complex situations to inform the appropriate course of action. 

 

Collaborating for Success – Level 4 

EXTENDS NETWORKS & SERVCES TERM INTEREST 

Take responsibility for influencing stakeholders and managing ‘high value’ relationships at a strategic level. Always works closely with stakeholders to develop and understand their needs, acting in their long-term interest. 

 

Working with People – Level 4 

INSPIRES OTHERS TO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM AIMS 

Inspires and empowers others to nurture strong team identity and pride. Creates new long-term opportunities, breaking down barriers that may get in the way of effective team working.  Challenges others to do the same. Provides guidance and support as well as challenge and constructive criticism. Addresses longer term performance problems, removing poor performers from positions when necessary. Sets up support structures to manage stress levels on a proactive basis. Understands THE need to be strong and positive in the face of adversity but also recognises areas of one’s own weaknesses and when to seek guidance and support. 

 

Ability to Adapt – Level 4 

MAKES ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE 

Changes the overall plan, goal or project to fit the situation. Creates and supports flexibility by introducing procedures which ensure quick turnaround and encourage flexibility in others. 

Why Join Young Scot 

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a transformational income function within a nationally significant organisation. 

You will: 

  • Shape the future sustainability of Young Scot 

  • Work directly with senior leadership to influence strategy 

  • Build partnerships that create meaningful, lasting impact for young people 

  • Operate with high autonomy in a role designed for growth and innovation

Fiona Pringle