Relationship Manager (East of Scotland)
The Relationship Manager will help strengthen our regional presence and ensure individuals and communities can access our support to explore, test and grow social enterprise ideas.
Job Title: Relationship Manager (East of Scotland)
Reporting to: SEF Programme Manager
Salary: £35,000 + 5% pension
Hours: 35 hours p/week (Flexible patterns available)
Based: Home-based with regular travel across the East of Scotland.
Start date: ASAP
Contract: Until 31 March 2027, with potential to become permanent
You can find the full job description and person specification by clicking on this link
Are you passionate about supporting people to turn their ideas into impactful, sustainable enterprises? Do you thrive on building relationships and helping others overcome challenges? If so, we’d love to hear from you.
Firstport is Scotland’s agency for start-up social entrepreneurs. We are looking for a Relationship Manager to help strengthen our regional presence and ensure individuals and communities can access high‑quality, people-centred support to explore, test and grow social enterprise ideas.
This role is central to how Firstport shows up across the East of Scotland, from Dundee to the Borders. You will spend time meeting people in their own communities, representing Firstport, building trusted relationships, and ensuring our programmes remain visible, accessible and responsive to local needs.
About the role
As a Relationship Manager, you will:
- Be the primary point of contact for SEF applicants and awardees in the East of Scotland.
- Guide individuals through the early stages of developing their social enterprise, providing support to help them build strong proposals.
- Contribute to deliver the Social Innovation Challenge (SIC), helping innovators develop bold, early-stage ideas tackling Scotland’s most pressing priorities.
- Assess funding applications and contribute to funding panel recommendations using clear and fair decision-making processes.
- Monitor the progress of awardees, helping them manage their funding and transition through the SEF award pipeline.
- Strengthen Firstport’s regional presence by building and maintaining strong partnerships with local stakeholders, ensuring referral routes are clear and support networks are robust.
- Raise awareness of Firstport’s programmes in the region and develop a strong understanding of the wider support ecosystem for social entrepreneurs.
About you
We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, particularly in face‑to‑face and community‑based settings. You will be confident engaging with and supporting people from diverse backgrounds, with a strong understanding of the issues affecting communities across the East of Scotland.
The ideal candidate will combine strong relationship‑building skills with sound judgement and effective decision‑making. Experience of assessing funding applications or similar processes is highly desirable, alongside a genuine passion for social enterprise and making a real difference at a grassroots level.
Why join us
This role is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive and mission-driven team working to create a fairer, more inclusive Scotland through social entrepreneurship. You’ll have the opportunity to shape how we work with individuals and communities across the East of Scotland, playing a vital role in unlocking their potential.
To apply, read the supporting documentation and follow this link to our online application form. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Deadline: 9 am, Monday 18 May 2026
Application form, Word version – you can use this version to read, prepare, and draft your answers before completing the online application form. Click on this link to download the Word Version of the application form.
Alternative arrangements and adjustments
If you need adjustments to our recruitment process, please complete questions I and J on the application form (e.g., you may have transport, or accessibility needs, or require additional support for interview tasks). If you have any barriers that prevent you from completing an online form, please contact Elaine Ogg on 0131 564 0331 or by email elaine@firstport.org.uk.
Thinking about using AI during the recruitment process?
We know that AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude or Copilot can help plan and prepare your application. You can use AI to support the process of applying for a role at Firstport, but we encourage you to use it wisely:
- Use AI to help, not substitute: AI can help refine your answers, and check spelling and grammar, but it’s not a substitute for you writing your answers in your own voice and in a way that reflects your skills and experience accurately.
- Always check the output: Do not assume AI answers or suggestions are correct, unbiased, or complete.
- Use mindfully: AI data centres use a huge amount of energy, which harms the environment. Do not overuse it or use it carelessly.
Interview dates
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th May. We will notify shortlisted candidates by cop on Thursday 21st May.
About the interview process
The interview process will consist of two parts: A short, task-based activity followed by an interview with the interviewing panel. We will provide shortlisted candidates with the relevant information to prepare for both parts of the process.
The full job description and person specification is available by clicking on this link
To apply click on this link
Download a word version of the application form by clicking here.