This is a rare opportunity for a dynamic, compassionate and person-centred nurse leader to deliver real impact for children and families.

In Scotland, three children die from a life-shortening condition every week. CHAS provides unwavering care for children who may die young, and their families. Our team includes nurses, doctors, AHPs, social workers and family support specialists. They work across two children’s hospices, in community settings and in hospitals in deep partnership with NHS staff.

We are seeking a Chief Nurse to lead the delivery of our nursing services across all these settings. Reporting to the Director of Nursing and Family Support, you will lead a team of approximately 180 nursing staff working in all parts of Scotland.

You will inspire nurses to deliver exceptional care every day. You will work closely and collaboratively with NHS Boards, HSCP’s and other organisations to plan seamless wrap-around care, which helps some of the most vulnerable families in Scotland.

Following a planned retirement and organisational restructure, this is a new role in a new structure. It offers a chance to join CHAS in a senior nursing role, set to shape the future of paediatric palliative care across Scotland.

About You

You will be an experienced nurse leader with a track record of delivering positive change across health care systems. Your experience will include:

• having significant experience leading nursing teams
• strong knowledge of Clinical Governance and Regulation, workforce planning, safe staffing and quality improvement
• proven ability to deliver on organisational targets
• excellent communication, influencing, and partnership skills
• commitment to staff wellbeing, compassionate leadership, and clinical supervision
• the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams with courage and compassion

We are particularly interested in hearing from children’s nurse leaders, but this role is open to nurse leaders from all backgrounds.

Why CHAS?

For families we support time is precious. This is an opportunity to lead a team that makes extraordinary things happen every day.

In 2024, CHAS launched our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, setting out our vision to provide unwavering care to children who may die young, and to their families, at every step of their journey. Our work is grounded in three core fields of care:

• learning that your child is seriously ill and may die young
• living well
• dying well and bereavement

As Chief Nurse, you will play a pivotal leadership role in bringing this strategy to life - shaping practice, developing people, and ensuring the highest standards of safe, compassionate and effective care.

• Broad and impactful role: Representing CHAS nationally as an expert nurse leader, building strategic partnerships to influence policy, promote best practice, and enhance CHAS’s impact
• Flexibility: Your primary base will be either Rachel House in Kinross or Robin House in Balloch, with regular travel between both hospices. CHAS provides care and support to children and families across Scotland with staff bases in Aberdeen and Inverness. This role will require travel to all CHAS sites, including clinical settings and office locations, as well as attendance at external events. Flexibility is essential, and business mileage expenses will be reimbursed. As a family friendly organisation, we recognise that flexibility works both ways, and we will support a balanced and adaptable approach to working hours and locations wherever possible.
• Professional Growth: You will work with healthcare leaders in a visible role where you will be encouraged and supported to excel and develop your skills.
• Holidays: 35 days annual leave, increasing progressively to 40 days after five years’ service. For applicants coming from an existing NHS post, your current service-based enhanced annual leave entitlement will be honoured, up to 40 days (CHAS maximum entitlement).
• Pension: Continued membership of the NHS Scotland Pension Scheme or the opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme for Scotland, administered by Lothian Pension Fund.
• Comprehensive benefits: Including generous annual leave and pension, incremental salary progression, life assurance, employee assistance programme, access to Blue Light and Perkbox discount schemes, health and wellbeing support.

Are you ready to shape the people experience at CHAS, ensuring our teams are supported, inspired and equipped to make a meaningful impact for children and families during the most challenging moments of their lives?

Join CHAS as our Head of People and play a pivotal leadership role in supporting our teams across Scotland. If you are driven by purpose, energised by organisational development, and passionate about creating an exceptional workplace culture, this is your opportunity to make a profound impact.

Reporting to the Director of People and Strategy, you will provide strategic leadership, vision and direction for the People function (HR and Learning & Organisational Development) across CHAS. You will ensure our People Strategy, policies and practices enable delivery of the CHAS Plan and support our people to thrive

You will act as a key influencer and professional lead, advising senior leaders and managers on workforce planning, employment law, organisational change, employee engagement, governance and best practice in people management, while promoting a positive, inclusive and values-led culture.

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the People function, ensuring effective delivery of HR, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, employee relations, learning and organisational development.
• Lead development and evaluation of the CHAS People Strategy to ensure it remains fit for purpose and aligned to organisational objectives.
• Act as a senior business partner to the Senior Leadership Team, influencing and coaching leaders to deliver excellent people management practice.
• Lead organisational change initiatives, workforce modernisation and culture development to enhance employee experience and service delivery.
• Ensure robust governance across HR policy, employment legislation, data protection, job evaluation, pay and reward, and employee wellbeing.
• Oversee effective people data, systems and reporting to support decision making, planning and performance.
• Manage and develop the People team, including HR Business Partnering, Learning and Organisational Development and Talent Acquisition, fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement.

About You

• You will bring extensive senior-level HR leadership experience, ideally within a multi-site or complex organisation, alongside the credibility and confidence to influence at the highest level.
• You will be a CIPD Chartered Fellow with deep expertise in employment law, HR strategy, organisational development and employee relations.
• You will demonstrate strong analytical, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to handle complex and sensitive situations with professionalism, compassion and integrity.
• You will share CHAS values and bring a collaborative, inclusive leadership style with a commitment to supporting staff and volunteers.

People Team Structure

Reporting to the Director of People and Strategy, you will lead a function that includes HR, Learning and Organisational Development, Talent Acquisition and People Systems.

Why CHAS?

At CHAS, we support families when they need us most – offering care, comfort and compassion during the hardest moments of their lives. We are driven by a bold ambition: to reach every family in Scotland whose child is dying and provide the support they deserve.

We Offer

• Flexible Working: our teams work flexibly and in a hybrid manner with time split between home and onsite in Edinburgh, Balloch, Glasgow or Kinross
• Development Opportunities: Lead and shape the People Strategy during a period of organisational growth and transformation.
• Professional Growth: Work with industry leaders in a high-performing team where you will be encouraged and supported to excel and develop your skills.
• Supportive Leadership: you’ll have the backing of a collaborative leadership team that empowers you to drive progress, innovate, and lead with creativity
• Comprehensive Benefits: Including generous annual leave and pension, incremental salary progression, access to Blue Light discounts, a health cash plan and health and wellbeing support.