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Vacancy: Director for Access & the Environment

We are recruiting for a new volunteer director to help us fulfil Mountaineering Scotlands potential and ambitions. As Director for Access & the Environment, we are looking for individuals with the enthusiasm, experience and personal qualities to provide strategic direction and encourage innovation, enabling us to learn from within and from outside the organisation.

Working within the context of Mountaineering Scotlands new strategic Framework 2022 – 25 and out vision ‘Respecting Scotland’s Mountains’ and associated policies, the Director for Access and the Environment leads on our work to protect outdoor access and our mountain environment. Scotland enjoys some of the most progressive access legislation in Europe and this role is critical in ensuing that we protect these rights across Scotland and particularly in our mountain and upland areas.  

Working closely with our Access and Conservation Officer the successful candidate will also help shape our policy in relation to conservation and climate change with the opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders and organisations that share our interests.

This is a great opportunity for someone who may have some experience of access legislation, and/ or a background in conservation / environmental management, combined with a personal passion for mountaineering or outdoor activities. We offer successful candidates the chance to develop new and existing skills, gain experience supporting and advising Board colleagues drawn from a range of professional and technical backgrounds, to help implement our Strategic Plan and guide future strategic and policy development. You will be able to participate in a range of training courses which could complement or refresh your present skill set.


The Role

  • Working with our staff and other volunteers, the Director for Access and the Environment will lead on our work to protect access rights and help promote the benefits of recreation in Scotlands hills and mountains.
  • To contribute to the review of our policy framework “Respecting Scotlands Mountains”, lead the implementation of our conservation strategy and action to engage and respond to the impact of climate change in the hill and mountain environment.
  • The Director will report to the Board on relevant matters, including the work of the National Access Forum, our links with the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and Protect our Winters and policy developments affecting access and the environment.

Role description: Director for Access and the Environment

Directors competencies and person specification

Download our Strategic Plan 2022-25

How to apply

The board will be undertaking a selection process to identify a preferred candidate for nomination at the AGM on 19th November 2022 and is inviting expressions of interest which should be submitted by close of business on Wed the of 28th of September 2022.

Members who wish to stand for election independently must nominate themselves in accordance with the Articles of Association by Sat the 10th of September.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities detailed, please contact Stuart Younie, CEO and Company Secretary, on 07738200039 or by email at stuart@mountainering.scot for an informal discussion.

Our commitment to equality and diversity

Mountaineering Scotland is committed to being an employer and a volunteer organisation that recognises and encourages equal opportunities, diversity, inclusion and respect in the workforce, with employment conditions and practices that ensure all staff and volunteers are treated equitably. We particularly welcome applications from those who are significantly underrepresented in our sector, such as women, people with disabilities (including hidden disabilities) and individuals from Black and Minority ethnic communities.

Our recruitment process will be fair, transparent, structured and consistently applied. Selection of candidates for election will be based solely on their suitability for the role, by reference to the criteria stated in the person specification and description of the role.

Terms and conditions

  • The Board welcome expressions of interest from individuals who are not yet members of Mountaineering Scotland
  • At the time of co-option or election the director must be an individual member or a paid-up member of a club which has registered their membership
  • The Board may co-opt directors prior to election; however, directors must stand for election at the next available Annual General Meeting (AGM), and at the AGM during their term of office thereafter;
  • The initial term of office is a maximum of 4 years with the option to extend this for a further 2 years (subject to members approval), unless standing for election as President
  • Directors are expected to meet the requirements of Mountaineering Scotlands Equality Policy and our Volunteering Code of Practice
  • Directors intending to stand for election will be asked to declare any material interest that they have in mountaineering or other business interests relevant to Mountaineering Scotland prior to their election.
  • This opportunity is not open to anyone who has been disqualified from holding a directorship in a limited company.

Useful links

Take a look around our website to discover more about the services we offer members and clubs, our campaigns and the activities we represent. Here are some specific pages you might like to check out too: