Interim Managing Director (Maternity Cover)
Location: Aberdeen (with occasional travel across the North East of Scotland)
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 FTE, dependent on experience
Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover (approximately 12 months or until the return of the substantive postholder).
Hours: 28 hours per week (4-day week) with potential for flexibility
Help shape the future of a well-established STEM education charity.
For over 40 years, TechFest has inspired children, young people and communities through engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences.
Working with schools, industry, universities, local authorities and communities, we deliver innovative programmes that encourage curiosity, develop skills and inspire the next generation of STEM professionals.
We're looking for an experienced and enthusiastic leader to join us as Interim Managing Director while our current Managing Director is on maternity leave.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a well-established charity with a passionate team and build on strong relationships with industry and education partners.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across all areas of the organisation.
A key aspect of the role is ensuring TechFest's long-term financial sustainability by securing income through sponsorship, grants, partnerships and other funding opportunities. You'll build and maintain strong relationships with existing supporters while identifying and developing new opportunities that enable TechFest to continue delivering high-quality STEM education programmes.
Alongside leading TechFest's fundraising and business development activities, you will oversee the successful delivery of the charity's programmes and events, ensuring they continue to inspire children, young people and communities across the North East of Scotland and beyond.
You'll lead a small, committed team, work closely with the Board of Directors and act as an ambassador for TechFest, representing the charity with sponsors, funders, schools, universities, industry partners and the wider community.
No two days are the same. One day you may be meeting with a potential sponsor, the next reviewing budgets, supporting your team, preparing papers for the Board or helping shape an exciting new STEM initiative.
Key Responsibilities
You'll be responsible for:
- Securing income through sponsorship, grants, trusts, foundations, contracts, donations and commercial activities.
- Developing relationships with industry, education and community partners.
- Overseeing the delivery of TechFest's programmes and events.
- Providing strategic leadership across the organisation.
- Leading and supporting the TechFest staff team.
- Managing organisational finances and budgets.
- Ensuring good governance and legal compliance.
- Representing TechFest at meetings, events and public engagements.
- Preparing reports for the Board of Directors.
- Driving innovation and organisational development.
About You
We're looking for someone who brings:
- Senior leadership or management experience.
- Strong financial and organisational management skills.
- Experience securing funding through sponsorship, grants, donations or commercial income.
- Experience developing successful partnerships.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
- Confidence working with Boards or senior stakeholders.
- The ability to motivate and inspire a small team.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills.
- A genuine passion for education, charities or STEM.
Experience within the charity sector would be advantageous but is not essential. We welcome applications from candidates with leadership experience in business, education, industry or the public sector who are excited by the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Why Join TechFest?
Join a passionate team delivering inspiring STEM experiences that make a real difference to children, young people and communities across the North East.
You'll lead a well-established charity with the support of an experienced Deputy Managing Director and an engaged Board of Directors, while building on strong partnerships across education, industry and the wider community.
If you're an enthusiastic leader who enjoys building relationships, securing funding, leading a team and creating opportunities, we'd love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 12th August
First-round Interviews: 24th & 25th August (please indicate in your application if you are unavailable on these dates).
To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to [email protected], explaining why you're interested in joining TechFest as Interim Managing Director and how your experience matches the role.
Pay: £45,000.00-£55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Aberdeen AB24 3UT
