We are currently looking for a new President to join the Board of Mountaineering Scotland. This is a key role within our organisation and we're keen to hear from different people from across the mountain-using community who may be interested in this exciting voluntary position. We're looking for dynamic, innovative candidates who can offer a fresh perspective, alongside relative experience.
Mountaineering Scotland is committed to being an employer and 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.
Joining the board of Mountaineering Scotland offers potential for the development of new and existing skills, meeting new people, developing networks and making a genuine difference to mountaineering in Scotland. The Board also welcomes expressions of interest from suitably experienced individuals who are not currently members of Mountaineering Scotland on the basis they would be prepared to become a member if selected.
Mountaineering Scotland is a membership organisation with over 16,000 members including over 150 clubs and is the recognised representative organisation for hill walkers, climbers, mountaineers and ski-tourers who live in Scotland or who enjoy Scotland’s mountains, and acts to represent, support and promote Scottish mountaineering. With a focus on supporting recreational participation Mountaineering Scotland promotes the physical and mental health benefits of taking part in the mountaineering disciplines set out in our participation pathway. Mountaineering Scotland also plays a key role on the promotion of mountain safety and representing our members interests in relation to conservation and the environment.
Mountaineering Scotland is also the governing body for competitive sport climbing in Scotland. Our activities to support the development of climbing for children and young people are delivered through the ClimbScotland initiative which manages our performance and competition programmes, as well promoting recreational participation and inclusion initiatives for both outdoor and indoor climbing, all supported through funding from sportscotland. This is an exciting time to be involved in delivering our new strategic plan to take the organisation forward to 2025.
Mountaineering Scotland has a small professional staff headed by a CEO which rely on the support and advice provided by volunteer directors. As a member of the board, directors help to shape the future of Scottish mountaineering and guide the strategic direction and policy development of the organisation. The board also provides a governance function assessing and managing strategic risk and monitoring budgets and the implementation of the operational plan.
The President is responsible for the strategic oversight of the organisation including finance and governance working closely with the CEO, the Director of Finance and Director for HR Governance and Equalities. Traditionally, the President chairs Board and General Meetings however, the Board are empowered by the Articles of Association to elect any one of the directors as Chair should it be deemed appropriate to do so. This is a great opportunity for someone with appropriate experience in senior leadership and strategic management combined with a passion for mountaineering and/or outdoor activities.
The role description should be read in conjunction with the directors’ competencies and person specification (see below).
We ask candidates who wish to put their name forward to provide a brief summary of their experience in an organisational context and their interests in mountaineering / outdoor / sporting activities, together with a personal statement as to how they feel they would contribute to the work of Mountaineering Scotland and the associated trusts.
Person specification and competencies (.doc)
The board will be undertaking a selection process to identify a preferred candidate for nomination at the AGM in November 2023 and invite expressions of interest.
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@mountaineering.scot for an informal discussion.
Members who wish to stand for election independently must nominate themselves in accordance with the Articles of Association.
Mountaineering Scotland's strategy for 2022-25 outlines the vision and values of our organisation and the outcomes we hope to achieve over the next three years.
Shaped in consultation with members, staff, key partner organisations and the wider mountaineering community, the strategy centres on four strategic pillars:
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Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
