Carers of East Lothian is the local organisation supporting adults who care for family and friends. We have an excellent reputation, recently gaining recognition through the Carers Trust ‘Excellence for Carers’ Award, and have recently secured the contract to deliver adult carer services across East Lothian for an initial two-year period and a total period of up to six years, to 2031. We are a Carer Positive Exemplary employer, as well as being Disability Confident Committed and a Living Wage employer. We are currently recruiting for the following opportunity:
Chief Executive Officer (28 hours per week)
To provide strategic, organisational and team leadership for Carers of East Lothian ensuring that the organisation:
Very flexible working and 6% matched pension.
Carers of East Lothian is the local organisation supporting adults who care for family and friends. We have an excellent reputation, recently gaining recognition through the Carers Trust ‘Excellence for Carers’ Award and have recently secured the contract to deliver adult carer services across East Lothian for an initial two-year period and a total period of up to six years, to 2031. We are a Carer Positive Exemplary employer, as well as being Disability Confident Committed and a Living Wage employer.
Key Responsibilities:
• Act as the first point of contact for carers and professionals, handling enquiries and referrals with sensitivity and confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate client records, manage referrals, and arrange clinic appointments (e.g. Legal Advice, Power of Attorney).
• Provide admin support for carer events and workshops, process small grants, and update financial records.
• Support reception area upkeep, office supplies, and general admin tasks including mailings, info packs, and Board support.
• Assist the wider team and volunteers while ensuring compliance with data protection and health & safety policies.
What We’re Looking For:
• Experience in reception or office admin
• Great communication and interpersonal skills
• Good IT skills and attention to detail
• A team player with a commitment to supporting unpaid carers
Help us support communities in East Lothian with quality advice.
Who we are
East Lothian Advice Consortium Ltd (ELAC) is a company limited by guarantee without share capital which has contracted with East Lothian Council (ELC) for the provision of advice services in East Lothian. These advice services are delivered by way of sub-contracts between ELAC and Haddington Citizens Advice Bureau (HCAB) and Musselburgh Citizens Advice Bureau (MCAB). They are both independent charities that provide free, impartial, and confidential information and advice services in East Lothian. We offer support on issues ranging from debt, benefits, and welfare rights to consumer rights, finances, and budgeting support.
Our services are available to everyone in our local communities. We aim to make them as accessible as possible by promoting equality and diversity and by challenging discrimination.
Who are we looking for?
We currently have a small but strong Board of Directors with diverse professional expertise. We are seeking a new Chair who can lead ELAC through a period of new contract delivery and support the Bureaux with quarterly meetings with ELC, ensuring we provide the most relevant and accessible advice services possible in terms of the contract.
The role offers the opportunity to a make a central and strategic contribution to supporting the people of East Lothian with a range of pressing advice issues. Our work at HCAB and MCAB also makes a fundamental contribution to the campaigns and advocacy work of Citizens Advice Scotland on behalf of the full network of CABs.
To support these outcomes, we plan for a minimum 3-month induction period during which the successful candidate will shadow the current Chair and get to know our organisation in detail as a Director. Once fully in post as Chair from August 2025, you will be further supported by our experienced members.
We welcome applications from candidates with experience of organisational leadership who feel passionate about our work, regardless of professional background. We are looking for candidates with a sound understanding of (third sector) governance, financial acumen, and experience contributing to or leading boards.
The Chair will:
Time committment
The expected commitment for the Chair is approximately 30 hours per quarter, incorporating flexibility to work around a full-time working schedule. Board and ELC meetings are each held 4 times a year, normally two weeks apart.
Meetings are held online.