Director (17.5 hours)

Applied Arts Scotland; United States; Remote; USD 25,000 - 31,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

7% employer pension contribution

Laptop provided

Development support

19.5 days leave incl. public holidays

Job summary

Applied Arts Scotland, a membership charity for makers, seeks a part-time Director to coordinate operations alongside trustees and freelance colleagues. The role focuses on strengthening management systems, governance and strategic development while maintaining hands-on administration.

The position is fully remote with some travel across Scotland and the UK, offering a competitive part-time salary (£21,000 per year, 50% FTE) and a pension, laptop and development support.

Qualifications

• Experience improving organisational systems and processes.
• Ability to manage competing projects and deadlines.
• Experience coordinating freelancers or volunteers, supporting budgets and cashflow.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review management systems covering charity obligations, programme delivery, evaluation, policies, risk, contracts, assets and funder reporting.
• Research improvements to ways of working and support business planning and funding applications.
• Coordinate board meetings, the AGM and working groups, keeping actions and delivery timelines on track.
• Support better digital file storage, information management and operational documentation.

Skills

Governance

Budgeting

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Job description

About Applied Arts Scotland and the role

Applied Arts Scotland is a membership charity run by makers for makers, supporting sustainable creative livelihoods through networks, development opportunities and shared knowledge. Its new part-time Director will coordinate and strengthen the organisation alongside trustees, advisers and freelance operational and project colleagues. The Director is responsible to the Board, with day-to-day management through the Chair.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and review management systems covering charity obligations, programme delivery, evaluation, policies, risk, contracts, assets and funder reporting.
• Research improvements to ways of working, present options to trustees and support business planning and funding applications.
• Coordinate board meetings, the AGM and working groups, keeping actions and delivery timelines on track.
• Support better digital file storage, information management and operational documentation, working with commissioned technical support.
• Build relationships with craft and charity-sector partners, represent the organisation and embed equity, inclusion, decolonisation and democratic working in its operations.

About you

You will bring experience improving organisational systems, managing competing projects and deadlines, coordinating freelancers or volunteers, supporting budgets and cashflow, and working confidently with digital collaboration and administration tools. Up-to-date knowledge of Scotland’s craft sector is essential, alongside clear communication, meeting facilitation, relationship building and strong attention to detail.

The role suits an independent, collaborative and strategic thinker who can balance practical administration with longer-term development. Experience in arts or community organisations, charity governance and compliance, trustee or funder reporting, operational change and artist-led programmes will help. Applicants confident in most essential skills and willing to learn the others are encouraged; tailored training can be developed.

Hours, location, salary and benefits

17.5 hours per week (50% FTE), fixed term until the end of June 2028, with any extension dependent on funding. The expected start is on or after 11 January 2027. Actual annual salary is £21,000 (£42,000 FTE). A three-month probation applies.

Fully remote with occasional meetings and events across Scotland and the UK. Core office hours will be negotiated with the successful candidate, with flexibility around them. Applicants must live in the UK and have UK work rights; preference goes to people living and working in Scotland.

Benefits include a 7% employer pension contribution (3% employee), 19.5 days leave including public holidays for this part-time role, an organisation laptop and development support.