Head of SIS Ventures

Social Investment Scotland

Location SIS head office is in Edinburgh but with significant flexibility
Salary £60,000 + plus benefits
Team SIS Ventures
  • Closing: 11:00pm, 2nd Sep 2020 BST

Job Description

About Social Investment Scotland & SIS Ventures

Our values

  • Purpose: we are purpose driven- we are committed, innovative and impactful;

  • Integrity: we do what we say- we are reliable, honest and consistent;

  • Unique: We embrace the power of difference- we are inclusive, open and ethical;

  • Partnership: We grow strong partnerships- we are collaborative, confident and respectful.

About us

Social Investment Scotland (SIS) are a social investment finance intermediary (SIFI) operating across Scotland and beyond. Our mission is ‘to connect capital with communities, to make a real, measurable and sustainable impact upon peoples’ lives.’

Our strategy to 2030, Building an Impact Economy, highlights our approach to enabling social and environmental impact through society and economy. By 2030, we aim to provide 5,000 enterprises with the tools, support, inspiration and connections to create greater social impact; and to connect 5,000 social entrepreneurs, enterprises and third sector organisations with mission-aligned investment and support.

SIS Ventures (‘SIS V’), founded in 2018, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the SIS Group. Although there is strong operational and strategic alignment between the activities of SIS V and SIS as a whole, SIS V is developing a distinct identity within the impact investment marketplace in the UK.  

Purpose of role

SIS V is key to our strategic ambition and this role is an exciting opportunity to play an important part in the growth and development of the whole organisation via the development of a distinct brand and operational unit supporting the growth of mission driven businesses in Scotland. This is a new role that will form part of our leadership team.  

Our SIS vision, or ‘north star’ has a number of aims:

  • Enterprises will be provided with the tools, support and inspiration to plan, create and scale their social impact;

  • Governments and their agencies can partner with social enterprises in a range of different ways, but particularly to enhance delivery of social impact;

  • Social entrepreneurs receive aligned investment and support;

  • Consumers and businesses can purchase products and services from social enterprises; and

  • Investors of all kinds can make purposeful investments for a financial and a social return.

SIS V has already raised and deployed its first fund, Impact First. These investments, largely of equity backed by investor tax relief, have contributed to the growth plans of 8 mission driven businesses. Our ‘lead impact investor’ approach has proven popular with investors and entrepreneurs alike and the new SIS Ventures head will play a key role in taking this activity to the next level. This is expected to include:

  • Becoming a recognised figurehead for impact investment in Scotland;

  • Oversight of existing portfolio, including personal responsibility for a small portfolio of investments;

  • Supporting the SIS leadership team and SIS Ventures board with fundraising for SIS Ventures activity;

  • Leading the design and development of market building activity to support the growth of the mission driven enterprise space in Scotland;

  • Sourcing and developing other fund management opportunities for SIS Ventures.

The Head of SIS Ventures, as a member of the SIS leadership team, will also play a key role in the growth and development of one of the UK’s largest social investment intermediaries.

Responsibilities will include:  

  • Providing strategic and operational guidance for SIS Ventures, in partnership with the SIS CEO and other members of the team.

  • Taking on the lead role for relationships with the SIS Ventures board, taking control of board reporting and becoming the key point of contact for the SIS Ventures Chair.

  • Becoming a recognised leader of the mission driven investment sector in Scotland.

  • Working alongside the SIS V Fund Manager and the Head of Finance, managing relationships with existing SIS V investors.

  • In line with the strategic action plan, bring forward fundraising efforts for future rounds of SIS Ventures programmes.

  • In conjunction with the Head of Finance, lead the delivery of ongoing investor reporting as part of the organisation’s stakeholder management and investor relations. 

  • Alongside the Head of Impact, and specialist impact partners taken on by the organisation from time to time, develop the impact strategy for group funds in line with the SIS mission and theory of change.  

  • Form part of the SIS credit and investment committee process, with a particular focus on equity investments into mission led businesses.

  • Hold regulatory permissions as required in line with the Senior Manager’s Certification Regime (SMCR) specifically as SMF3 as set out in the FCA’s guidance. Take all necessary steps to remain ‘fit and proper’ in line with these responsibilities.

  • Line manage a small team of designated colleagues and their respective teams, ensuring a culture of continuous professional and personal development in line with the SIS values.

  • Attend all relevant committee and fund board meetings as appropriate, in conjunction with other members of the team.

  • In conjunction with the CEO, and other members of the team, attend meetings and events as appropriate to represent the organisation.

Key requirements:

  • Experience of operating at a senior level in a relevant environment

  • CA qualification (or equivalent) preferable

  • Proven experience of raising investment from a range of sources

  • Knowledge of investment tax reliefs

  • Knowledge of the funding and support available for early stage companies

  • Experience in the social sector is desirable but not essential, however applicants should have an appreciation of the work of social enterprise in Scotland and beyond.

Benefits of working at Social Investment Scotland

We will ask a lot of successful candidates- but in return working life at SIS offers:

  • The privilege, and responsibility, of working for a leading organisation with an ambitious mission

  • Competitive salary and benefits package

  • Flexible working arrangements

  • A range of formal and informal training and learning opportunities

  • 39 days holiday (including mandatory days for Christmas and New Year)

  • Competitive pension scheme

  • Life insurance

  • Free tea, coffee and fruit (when on site at the Edinburgh office)

  • Team social events

For the foreseeable future, SIS colleagues are all working from home in line with Scottish Government advice. This will create a number of options in the longer term for flexible working locations, albeit taking account of operational requirements. SIS are willing to consider a range of working arrangements.

Removing bias from the hiring process

Applications closed Wed 2nd Sep 2020

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Removing bias from the hiring process

  • Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
  • You’ll need a CV/résumé, but it’ll only be considered if you score well on the anonymous review

Applications closed Wed 2nd Sep 2020