My Services
Interim Operational Support
I offer interim operational support that is flexible, short-term, practical and affordable to social enterprises, charities and purpose-led businesses throughout Edinburgh and East Lothian.
Workshop Design & Facilitation
I also offer offer workshop design and facilitation always in-person for staff, management and volunteers.
Travel outside Edinburgh and East Lothian considered on request.
Interim Operational Support
Who I support
I am an experienced third sector professional offering flexible, short-term, practical and affordable support when extra capacity is needed. I work on-site or remotely, helping you stay on top of essential work and freeing up time to focus on your mission.
My support covers the essential day-to-day tasks that keep your organisation running smoothly, as well as supporting new demands that arise through growth, change or funding requirements. I know from practical experience that organisations are under resourced, under pressure, stretched for time, and facing real constraints when it comes to recruiting and employing staff. That is why I offer flexible, short-term, practical and affordable support designed to ease that pressure.
With 25 years' experience spanning trustee board roles, business advisory work, development management positions and senior management support, I bring both strategic insight and operational knowledge.
My support is especially useful when you need
-
Additional resources to tackle a backlog or outstanding tasks
-
Extra capacity to manage or deliver a project
-
Support to manage organisational growth, new funding and reporting requirements
-
Consistency of delivery during restructure/organisational change
-
Cover for holidays, sabbaticals, sickness or other leave
What I offer
-
Flexible, practical support tailored to your needs
-
Strategic and operational insight that adds value
-
Knowledge of and links to other sectoral support
-
Discretion and honesty about what is realistic
-
On site or remote working to suit requirements
-
An agreed number of days or hours to suit your needs
-
Reliable, value for money delivery from £28/hour
How we can get started
-
Initial chat
-
Agree tasks, timescale and outputs
-
Confirm start date and check-ins
What this gives you
-
No advertising costs or recruitment time
-
Backlogs and barriers to progress removed
-
Confidence in resources being used to best effect
-
Less stress and more time to focus on your mission
Costs
-
Reliable, value for money delivery from £28/hour
-
Costs will be agreed with you in advance
Insurance
Fully insured (Professional Indemnity)
Get in touch for an initial conversation about how I can help
Examples of where I can help
1. Trustee board support: facilitation of meetings, board packs, agendas, minutes, action logs, governance tracking (actions, risks, key dates)
Problem
Your board is stretched and key governance tasks are slipping. Agendas, papers, actions and follow-up all need attention, but no one has the time to keep everything moving properly.
Solution
With extensive experience of supporting boards and committees, I can help manage meetings, organise papers, track actions, and keep governance requirements on course. That gives you better oversight, stronger follow-through and less pressure on your senior team.
2. Stakeholder communication: responding to enquiries, providing updates, and following up with beneficiaries, funders and partners
Problem
Your administrator is off and enquiries have started to pile up. If room hire bookings are a main source of income, delays in responding can quickly affect both reputation and revenue.
Solution
With a strong understanding of relationship building and customer experience, I can work through backlogs with clear, appropriate communication and timely follow-up. People feel valued, confidence is maintained, and you are in a better position to protect income and reputation.
3. Finance support: cashflow forecasting/tracking, funding admin, income generation review
Problem
You need an up-to-date cashflow forecast for board reporting, planning or funding applications, but it keeps being pushed down the list. That can leave you exposed and make it harder to show financial control.
Solution
I have helped many organisations set up cashflow forecasting from scratch in a practical, manageable way. As well as producing something useful straight away, I can help build your confidence to maintain it, strengthening financial oversight and supporting funding credibility.
4. Project coordination: plans, timelines, owners, chasing actions, keeping things moving
Problem
You are at a critical stage of a project and need to keep momentum going, but there is too much competing for your attention. Without extra capacity, deadlines, actions and communication can start to slip.
Solution
With plenty of experience of initiating and delivering projects, I can pick up from the stage reached and drive the remaining actions forward. That helps keep progress steady, issues visible and your own time free for the work only you can do.
5. Admin processes: inbox prioritisation, operating procedures, policy review/updates
Problem
Your admin systems have grown in a piecemeal way, and no one has had the time to step back and review what is working, what is missing, and where things could be done more effectively.
Solution
With experience at senior management level, I am good at bringing order to complexity. I can quickly identify gaps, priorities and practical improvements, helping you put better systems in place and strengthening day-to-day efficiency and governance.
Workshop Design and Facilitation
Paste detailed descriptions of administrative services here.
I design and facilitate engaging, participatory workshops that help social enterprises, charities and purpose-led businesses create space for meaningful conversation, shared thinking and practical action.
I know from experience that time away from day-to-day delivery can be difficult and that budgets are often stretched. That is why I offer affordable workshops designed to make the time count, with clear follow-up reporting on key findings, agreed actions, next steps and recommendations.
My background includes serving on trustee boards, business advisory work, development management roles, and senior management support, giving me both strategic insight and operational knowledge.
My workshops are especially useful when you need to
-
Strengthen relationships between staff, management and volunteers
-
Step away from screens to think, reflect and plan together
-
Develop shared understanding of issues and find practical solutions
-
Build momentum around priorities, challenges and opportunities
Workshops can take place in your office or as part of a staff away day, with sessions designed to be inclusive, focused and well-structured with clear outputs and action. I use a mix of individual and group activities to support participation, reflection and practical problem-solving.
Bringing in a neutral, skilled facilitator removes the pressure of designing and leading the session yourself, allowing you to participate fully alongside colleagues.
Common workshop themes include
-
Organisational priorities and planning
-
Funding readiness and collaborative bid development
-
Reflective practice and learning from challenges
-
Stakeholder engagement and consultation
I act as a critical friend, and the benefits of my approach are
-
All voices are heard
-
There is a safe, respectful environment
-
Draws out insights that don’t always emerge in routine meetings
All discussions are handled with care, confidentiality and professionalism. My facilitation style is calm, inclusive and focused on producing clear, practical outcomes.
How we can get started
-
Initial chat
-
Agree tasks, timescale and outputs
-
Confirm start date and check-ins
Indicative costs
-
Starting from £400/day and £250/half day, inclusive of planning and preparation
-
Costs will be agreed with you in advance
-
Travel outside Edinburgh and East Lothian considered on request
Insurance
Fully insured (Professional Indemnity)
Get in touch for an initial conversation about how I can help
Collaborating with Nina as a workshop facilitator was the best decision we made during some recent development work. She brought together a diverse group of staff and Trustees, creating a safe, supportive environment where everyone felt confident sharing their ideas.
Nina brought clarity and structure to complex discussions, turning them into clear, agreed and actionable outcomes. I’d recommend Nina to any organisation looking for meaningful support and facilitation.
Ailsa MacKenzie, Chief Officer, The Pyramid at Anderston SCIO
I’ve worked with Nina over several years and have always found her professional, organised and highly effective. She builds trust quickly, facilitates engaging sessions and brings strong expertise in organisational development, governance and capacity building.
I highly recommend Nina’s Interim Operational Support. She understands the realities facing social enterprises, charities, and third sector organisations, and adds real value through practical support, skilled facilitation and effective change management.
Hugh McGhee, Director, One For The Team CIC
and former Head of Social & Economic Development, Cunninghame Housing Association
Nina is someone that offers deep experience of the third sector, allowing her to pick things up almost immediately, thereby significantly reducing handover time and costs. She has an extremely personable style, valued by both colleagues and clients. Nina’s expertise in third sector governance and client/community engagement is excellent. She offers true value and lived experience to any third sector organisation.
I would recommend her to any organisation that needs additional capacity and experienced, trusted support.
James Finnie, James Finnie Consultingand former Business Development Manager, CEIS
Nina is an outstanding consultant with a wealth of experience supporting third sector organisations. She brings a highly effective, people-focused, approach to her work with a strong ability to build trust quickly with staff, board members, and volunteers, creating a positive and open environment where people feel confident to share their views and challenges.
Her approach is based on an excellent facilitation style – clear, approachable and inclusive – which ensures that everyone feels heard and valued. Nina is skilled at translating complex or sensitive discussions into practical, actionable outcomes while maintaining a supportive and respectful tone. Her ability to balance constructive challenge with encouragement is a real strength, helping clients to reflect honestly while feeling motivated about the way forward.
I would highly recommend Nina to any organisation seeking thoughtful, collaborative, and impactful business support.
Roddy Stewart, Business Delivery Team Leader, CEIS