Top job! Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Full time
- £55,000 – £65,000
- On site: Edinburgh with some travel within the UK
- Closing 14th July 2026
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for delivering meaningful impact? We’re looking for an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to help lead Deaf Action through its next stage of growth, ensuring our services, people, and operations are positioned to deliver lasting change for Deaf communities. Could that be you?
Deaf Action is a Deaf-led charity, supporting and celebrating Deaf people since 1835. We work with Deaf people across Scotland and the South of England, empowering individuals to achieve their potential and fully participate in society with equality of rights, access and opportunity.
Through a range of charitable and commercial services, Deaf Action provides support, access, education, communication services and opportunities that improve the lives of Deaf people. We are committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering high-quality services that create lasting impact.
Role purpose
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across Deaf Action, ensuring the organisation delivers high-quality, integrated services in line with its mission, values, and business plan.
Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the COO will be responsible for translating strategy into effective operational delivery, driving organisational performance, commercial growth, and long-term sustainability. The COO provides leadership across service delivery, operational systems, performance management, and organisational development, ensuring Deaf Action operates efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with its strategic objectives.
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Deaf Action, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and sustainable service delivery.
- Contribute to the growth and development of Deaf Action’s commercial services, helping to maximise income and long-term sustainability.
- Work closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to translate organisational strategy into effective operational plans and outcomes.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure services and operations align with Deaf Action’s mission, values, and commitment to Deaf-led practice and accessibility.
- Lead major organisational projects and cross-functional initiatives, ensuring successful delivery and integration across services.
- Support financial sustainability through effective budgeting, resource management, and oversight of commercial activities.
- Establish robust reporting and accountability frameworks, ensuring clear performance information is available to the CEO and Board.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, funders, stakeholders, and external agencies, representing Deaf Action where required.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the organisation, ensuring that services remain responsive to the needs of Deaf communities.
Person specification
Essential:
- Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role, leading complex, multi-service or multi-department organisations.
- Demonstrable success in commercial income generation, organisational growth or change management.
- Strong strategic planning, operational management, and decision-making capability.
- Experience developing and managing high-performing teams.
- Experience implementing performance management systems and reporting frameworks.
- Strong understanding of core organisational functions, including operations, finance, HR, and service delivery.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
- Commitment to Deaf Action’s mission, values, accessibility, and inclusion.
Desirable:
- Experience working within the third sector, public service, or mission-led organisations,
- Understanding of Deaf communities and Deaf-led organisations.
- Experience working within the care or support service sector.
- Knowledge of accessible service delivery and inclusive practice.
- British Sign Language (BSL) skills or willingness to develop skills.
What’s on offer?
- Occupational pension scheme with employer contributions of 6%
- 32 days leave pro rata (inc bank holidays)
- 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured
- In-house Mental Health First Aiders
- Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and IT Voucher Scheme
- Ongoing support for learning and development through our PDR process
It doesn’t matter what your background is. If you care about the people we support and have the skills and experience to deliver operational excellence, this could be the next move for you.
Right There has spent 200 years making sure that fewer people in Scotland end up homeless and fewer families fall apart. Last year alone, almost 4,000 people got the support they needed to stay in their homes and stay close to the people they love. We are a charity with a clear, urgent mission. We need you to help us turn property into purpose.
This role exists to make sure the property, infrastructure and enterprise behind that mission are working as hard as they can and are growing. It is a brand-new seat on our Leadership Team, and it is a rare one.
It is complex, stretching, and the stakes are real. These are people’s homes. But it is also rewarding, challenging and, in the way that only work with meaning can be, genuinely good fun.
Your role
The first job is to make sure everyone – the Leadership Team, the Board, your colleagues across programmes and central functions – can see clearly what is going on with our properties. At the moment, that picture is not clear enough. Then you’ll look at how we commercialise our assets, which at the moment looks like our brilliant skilled tradespeople and the furniture we are donated. There will be more, and we need you to find opportunities.
- Getting the data right. You will build the systems, KPIs and reporting so we have a proper picture of the portfolio – every property, its status, and a clear RAG rating. You will know the numbers: how many properties, what state they are in, what maintenance is outstanding, and what things are actually costing us.
- Getting a handle on costs. You will bring real clarity on where we are financially exposed – what an empty property actually costs, what our turnaround times are, where reactive spend is leaking. Then you will do something about it.
- Being our point of knowledge on property. You will be the person everyone turns to on acquisition, maintenance and compliance. You will combine the theory of procurement with the practical reality of getting things done – turning decisions into delivered outcomes.
- Connecting property to the people we support. You will map what we have against what our services need across our local authority areas, so the right spaces support the right programmes.
- Growing what we have. Once the foundations are right, you will develop Furnish Forward – our furniture reuse shop – and build a longer-term case for trading our skills and services commercially. But that comes after visibility and control, not instead of them.
What you bring
Maybe this is the pinnacle of a career spent in property, estates, facilities or operations, and you want it to count for something. Or maybe it’s your change of direction: you might be searching for a more meaningful path after years in commerce. Either way, you’ll recognise yourself here.
- You’re commercial and creative – you spot opportunities and you make them pay.
- You love detail and data, and you turn a concept into a delivered result.
- You take responsibility, solve problems, and bring people with you.
- You’ve led change – perhaps you did a lot of it through the Covid years.
- And you genuinely care about social change – about homelessness, and about people getting a fair chance at a safe home.
Our offer
Salary up to £79,665 per annum. Based in Glasgow with agile working (around three days a week in the office). Full time and permanent, on our Leadership Team, reporting to the Chief Executive. You’ll get 30 days’ leave rising to 40 days in year two, the People’s Pension, and a wide range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.
If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been waiting for, we’d love to hear from you.
About Us
We are a charity that recently celebrated 200 years of standing alongside people in Scotland. Last year we supported almost 4,000 people to stay in their homes and stay connected to the people they love. This role exists to make sure the homes, buildings and enterprise behind that work are safe, sustainable and ready for the future – and to grow new income that lets us do even more.
Are you looking for a rewarding career and to work within an epic team that will help you grow and thrive, then you have come to the right place. Working as a key member of Penumbra’s Leadership Team you can start your day knowing what you do really does make a difference!
The Director of Services is a member of the Leadership Team, sharing corporate responsibility for the strategic direction of the Organisation and the delivery of its’ vision and objectives. The post holder will have the opportunity to shape operational excellence, strengthen organisational impact and influence the future of mental health support across Scotland.
As Director of Services you will report to the Chief Executive and will hold full accountability for operational performance for contract delivery and the service quality delivered to our supported people across our services in Scotland.
The post-holder will play an integral role in shaping and delivering the services agenda across the whole organisation. As the most senior lead for the Services the post-holder will role model our behaviours, values.
As a key member of the Leadership Team, the role will be focused on ensuring our strategic aims are delivered in practice, and in accordance with our values. You will support the development and management of our services nationwide and ensure we deliver high quality services that meet all relevant legislative requirements, standards, and promote recovery and wellbeing. The Director of Services will bring a clarity of vision to our services and will ensure the threads of rights and recovery for supported people eare embedded in all.
You will play a lead role in service design and will work to ensure all objectives and milestones are met. You will also be pro-active in outcome mapping and sharing learning and impact from all services so that future strategy and development is informed by pilot services and tests of change.
You will also play a key role in working with our Partners which include people with lived experience, 3rd Sector Colleagues, Health and Social Care Partnerships, NHS, Primary Care and Scottish Government.
As a mental health charity, we really value the wellbeing of our staff. That’s why we want you to know that you’ll be joining a friendly team, who will give you a supportive environment to help you thrive in your role, including all the training you need to feel confident and equipped.
We can offer you a tonne of employee benefits, and we can promise you’ll be inspired by some pretty amazing humans every single day. We will support you on your own career path; developing new skills, accessing formal and informal learning experiences and providing opportunities to put your continual progress into practice.
If you believe you have the vision, expertise and drive to excel in this role and really want to make a difference to the people we support, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Could you help shape the future of an award-winning Scottish charity?
Simba is recruiting a new Chair of Trustees to provide strategic leadership and governance as we continue supporting thousands of bereaved families across Scotland every year.
We're looking for an experienced trustee and values-led leader who brings compassion, strategic thinking, and a commitment to supporting families affected by baby loss.
This is a unique opportunity within a respected national charity and help ensure every baby is honoured and remembered.
People Support Coordinator
- Full time
- £29,784
- Hybrid: Edinburgh, with flexible working
- Closing 27th July 2026
Our People Support Coordinator plays a central role in helping LGBT Health and Wellbeing be a great place to work and volunteer.
About LGBT Health and Wellbeing
LGBT Health and Wellbeing was established in 2003 to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people across Scotland.
Today, we are Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQ+ adults, working every day to make sure people have somewhere to turn, somewhere to belong, and somewhere they can be themselves.
We create spaces where LGBTQ+ people can find connection, support and a sense of belonging. We provide services that help people through difficult moments, build confidence and feel less alone. We also use what we learn from our communities to influence the systems, services and decisions that shape our lives.
Our impact is only possible because of our people. From staff and volunteers delivering frontline services, to trustees providing strategic leadership, every person plays an important role in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people across Scotland.
We are recognised as a trusted and credible voice on LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing, particularly in mental health, trans wellbeing and the experiences of LGBTQ+ elders.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple aim: a Scotland where LGBTQ+ people thrive, no matter who we are.
You can read more about our work and impact in our latest Impact Report.
Help shape the future of dementia support in Scotland
Town Break Dementia Support is seeking an inspiring and committed individual to become the next Chair of our Board of Trustees.
For almost three and a half decades, Town Break has supported people living with dementia and their unpaid carers to remain connected, active and engaged in their communities. As we approach our 34th year, we continue to build on that legacy through relationship-based support, community activities, carer support and meaningful opportunities for connection. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a respected and ambitious charity at a pivotal point in its development, helping shape how dementia support evolves for the future.
Demand for dementia support continues to grow, and Town Break is well placed to build on its strong foundations, deepen its impact and reach more people who need support. As Chair, you will help guide the organisation through its next chapter, ensuring it remains financially sustainable, strategically focused and true to its values.
As Chair, you will lead the Board of Trustees, work closely with the Chief Executive and play a key role in shaping the future direction of the organisation. You will help ensure Town Break continues to deliver high-quality services, maintain strong governance and respond confidently to the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and support the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its governance, legal and strategic responsibilities.
- Ensure the charity operates in line with its charitable purposes and Scottish charity law.
- Provide oversight of the organisation's long-term priorities and future development.
- Chair Board meetings and promote effective decision-making.
- Support and challenge the Chief Executive in delivering the charity's objectives.
- Ensure appropriate oversight of finance, risk, safeguarding and organisational performance.
- Promote high standards of integrity, accountability and transparency.
- Act as an ambassador for Town Break with partners, stakeholders and supporters.
We are looking for someone who can bring:
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Strategic thinking and sound judgement.
- Experience of governance, leadership or organisational oversight.
- An understanding of financial stewardship and risk management.
- A commitment to inclusion, dignity and person-centred values.
- A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for people living with dementia and those who support them.
Why Join Us
This is a chance to make a lasting difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their families, while helping guide the future of an organisation with a proud 34-year history and an ambitious vision for the years ahead.
The role is voluntary, with reasonable expenses reimbursed.
Transition Manager
- Part time
- £38,000 – £40,000 pro-rata
- Remote: with some requirement to attend meetings and events in person
- Closing 10th July 2026
Overview
Scottish Mountain Rescue (SMR) is the community of 28-member Mountain Rescue Teams. The teams deliver a world class Search and Rescue (SAR) Service and respond to requests from Police Scotland. Our 850 volunteers respond in a moment’s notice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide assistance to people in the outdoors. They give up their time, their beds, abandon their work, and are often called away from their families to assist total strangers. Scottish Mountain Rescue is the representative and coordinating body for mountain rescue teams in Scotland. We support our 25-member teams in a number of areas including raising awareness of the teams through press and social media. This helps the public to know what teams do and supports many aspects of their work from recruitment of new team members to making links to new organisations that can potentially provide vital equipment.
The charity is undergoing a period of change, as it responds to the recommendations of an independent review by the Cranfield Trust. This will change the governance arrangements in the charity, introduce a single point of leadership in the organisation for the first time, and will ensure the charity is fit for the next decades. We also look forward to a new strategy, a refresh of our service offer, and a shift in key relationships as we move to a new governance model. This post is to support the Interim Director to bring energy and resource to the transformation that is required.
Job Role
To support the Board and Interim Director to plan and implement a programme of work to manage a significant strategic and operational shift in the charity, informed by a recent independent review.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the development of a plan of work to support transition, including key milestones, deliverables and reporting arrangements
- Lead on the creation, delivery and monitoring of key strategic and operational projects and priorities, working in collaboration with the Board, wider members and other key stakeholders, overcoming obstacles and barriers to progress
- Lead a new and emerging governance arrangement, supporting the Board to strengthen its governance, improve its role in compliance and oversight of charity activities
- Develop a systematic approach to the management and implementation of the appropriate policies and procedures that comply with the law, and good practice
- Identify and maintain a record of the learning and development requirements for staff and Trustees during the period of change, tracking what is required and what has been provided to support effective transition
- Be the point of contact for contracts with third parties, including providers of HR services, ICT services, and financial support
- Manage the introduction of new governance arrangements including working groups and other committees, evolving a new network of working spaces and networks
- Where required, deputise for the Interim Director in meetings and events, including attendance and contribution to Board meetings
Benefits
- 28 days (FTE) annual leave
- 10 days (FTE) public holidays
- Access to our pension scheme- we offer a 5% pension contribution
- Remote working from home
Forth Valley Sensory Centre (FVSC) is a unique, award-winning Charity based in Camelon. We cover the whole of Forth Valley providing a wide range of high-quality activities, groups, and services for people of all ages with Sensory Loss.
We are looking for new volunteer Trustees to join our Board at a significant time for both FVSC and the wider sensory sector in Scotland. New Trustees will have the opportunity to support the development and transformation of services, so they further extend our reach.
As a Trustee, you will work collaboratively with fellow Board members and the Centre’s leadership team to support FVSC’s long-term sustainability, governance, and strategic direction. You will be encouraged to contribute your independent insight to ensure robust decision-making processes are in place.
Our Board meets quarterly, in person, at the Sensory Centre. In addition, Trustees usually meet for an annual development day.
We are particularly interested in applicants with one or more of the following:
- An interest in, and empathy with, the needs of people living with hearing loss, deafness, sight loss
- Finance and Commercial Strategy experience
- Governance and Compliance experience
- Building Management and Maintenance experience
- The ability to become an ambassador and help raise the profile of the Charity
As well as relevant experience, FVSC is looking for people with integrity, good judgement, emotional resilience, the confidence to share their views and a willingness to contribute to discussions. You don’t need previous Trustee experience — we welcome people from a range of ages and backgrounds.
Lead a respected charity - Change lives - Create a Legacy
Advocacy North East (ANE) is an independent charity dedicated to ensuring that individuals who may be disadvantaged or at risk of exclusion have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
For over 25 years we have supported people (and their carers) affected by mental illness, learning disability and problematic substance use to understand their rights, make informed choices and have their views heard in matters relating to their health and care.
As our leader prepares to retire, we are seeking an exceptional individual to become our Executive Manager and lead the organisation into its next chapter.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a highly respected advocacy organisation with a strong reputation for independence, professionalism and person-centred support.
About the Role
This post is deemed to be a Regulated Role with Vulnerable Adults and Children and therefore recruitment is subject to satisfactory PVG Scheme Membership and references.
Reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the Executive Manager will provide strategic and operational leadership across the organisation.
You will be responsible for:
- Delivering the organisation's strategic vision and objectives
- Leading and developing a skilled and committed staff team
- Ensuring the highest standards of advocacy practice, service quality and safeguarding
- Maintaining strong governance, risk management and regulatory compliance
- Managing budgets, contracts and organisational resources effectively
- Developing sustainable funding and income opportunities
- Building productive relationships with commissioners, partners, funders and stakeholders
- Acting as an ambassador for Advocacy North East locally and nationally
- Promoting a positive culture based on inclusion, collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement
You will work closely with the Board to ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable, strategically focused and responsive to the changing needs of the communities we serve.
About You
We are looking for a values-driven leader who combines strategic vision with practical management experience. You will be:
- An effective strategic thinker who can balance operational delivery with long-term organisational sustainability.
- A collaborative leader who can build strong relationships with staff, volunteers, the Board, commissioners, stakeholders and the community we serve.
- A confident decision-maker who demonstrates integrity, accountability and sound judgement.
- An individual with a genuine passion for empowering people to have their voices heard.
You should have a strong track record in organisational management, strategic development, financial management and people leadership.
Experience within the advocacy, third sector, health, social care or community sectors would be advantageous but is not essential.
Why Join Advocacy North East?
This is far more than a management role. It is an opportunity to:
- Lead an organisation that changes lives every day
- Influence the future development of independent advocacy services across Scotland
- Build meaningful partnerships that improve outcomes for marginalised people
- Create a lasting legacy within a respected and trusted charity
If you are an inspiring leader who shares our commitment to independence, empowerment, inclusion and respect, we would love to hear from you.
About Us
Borders Independent Advocacy Service (BIAS) has established itself as one of Scotland’s leading providers of independent advocacy, delivering exceptional services since 1995. At the heart of our work are the rights of advocacy partners and the power of their voices to bring about positive change.
We provide individual, issue-based independent advocacy for people across the Scottish Borders. We work alongside corporate parents and communities to broaden understanding, and with policymakers, leaders and elected representatives locally and nationally to shape law, policy and practice based on the lived experience of advocacy partners in Scottish Borders.
About the Role
BIAS is seeking passionate, values-driven individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help shape the future of our organisation. If you have experience in finance, HR, law, or advocacy, and a passion for supporting others, we would love to hear from you. We are looking to strengthen our Board to help guide the charity forward.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a dedicated and experienced team.
- Make a real impact in your community.
- Flexible meeting options (in person and online).
- Help us continue our important work and make a difference.
What does the role involve?
Board Members support the strategic direction, governance, and sustainability of Borders Independent Advocacy Service. Responsibilities include:
- Attending quarterly Board meetings (held both online and in person).
- Attending occasional additional meetings, particularly during key development periods.
- Meetings usually lasting less than 2 hours
- Reviewing Board papers in advance, which are circulated by email (hard copies available on request)
- Supporting good governance and effective decision-making.
- Acting as an ambassador for BIAS.
- Contributing skills, expertise, and insight.
- Supporting the organisation to achieve its strategic objectives.
This is a voluntary role, offering the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of advocacy partners across the Scottish Borders and contribute to the organisation’s continued growth.
What we offer
- The opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.
- A supportive, inclusive and values-led Board.
- Induction, training, and ongoing development.
- Opportunities to contribute strategically to a growing organisation.
- Experience of charity governance and strategic leadership.