Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire & East Renfrewshire (WASLER) is a voluntary organisation providing refuge accommodation, support, information and advice to women, children and young people across South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire who are currently experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse.

We are looking for a Senior Operations Manager to play a key leadership role in the safe, effective and consistent delivery of WASLER’s frontline services. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, this role will provide strategic and operational oversight across all core service areas.

This is an important, new, senior role for someone who can support managers, strengthen accountability, monitor quality and risk, and contribute to continuous service improvement while keeping women, children and young people at the centre of service delivery.

About the role

• Provide strategic and operational oversight across WASLER’s frontline service areas.
• Support the CEO and senior leadership team to deliver agreed priorities, policies and service developments.
• Lead, coach and support Team Managers through supervision, appraisal, performance management and workforce planning.
• Monitor service performance, outcomes, quality standards and operational risks.
• Support compliance with safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, Care Inspectorate, SSSC, health and safety, data protection and organisational requirements.
• Build effective relationships with partners, funders and stakeholders, and provide clear reporting to the CEO, Board and others as required.

About you

You will bring experience of managing or supervising staff within a support, care, social welfare or related service, together with the ability to coordinate safe and consistent service delivery. Experience of managing managers, leading across more than one service area, supporting change, quality assurance, audit activity, partnership working or budget monitoring would be particularly valuable.

You will have strong communication, organisational and decision-making skills, and a clear commitment to woman-centred, trauma-informed, inclusive and reflective practice. A good understanding of domestic abuse, safeguarding and the needs of women, children and young people is essential.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a thriving national charity, as part of a high-performing, ambitious Business Development team. You will use a wide range of commercial and interpersonal skills to develop the way our services support children, young people and families.

The core area of your work will be working with teams of Barnardo's colleagues to produce compelling proposals to commissioners and partners in Scotland and Northern Ireland. As such, you'll be able to demonstrate:

• Strong organisational skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• The ability to elicit and articulate great ideas
• Strong written and spoken communication

You will need to be a good writer, communicating ideas effectively on paper with an ability to analyse large volumes of information to develop clear and compelling responses to tenders. It is critical that you can build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the development of proposals and service design.

You will manage all aspects of proposals and tenders, leading the development and delivery of bids, working to deadlines, ensuring that we present strong business cases and bids that underpin successful outcomes. In addition, there will be the opportunity to help us develop new services and innovations in priority growth areas, monitor market intelligence, assess commercial and contract risks and work alongside operational colleagues in Children's Services.

Your project management skills may have been developed in any sector, and may need further development, but your commitment to the work we do will be demonstrated by your enthusiasm and ability to learn. In Business Development we are a supportive team, with stimulating and challenging work and extensive opportunities to learn and to help Barnardo's transform the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children.

These roles will operate on a 'Work from Anywhere' basis, meaning that you can work both from home and/or from an office 'hub' that's nearest to where you live. Some travel across Scotland and Northern Ireland may be required.

Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.

Pay & Reward Framework

We appreciate our colleagues' dedication and their commitment to delivering excellence in the vital work we do, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.

We are committed to a rounded colleague experience with an approach to both pay and rewards that are fair, attractive, and progressive. This is in support of our strategic ambition to ensure Barnardo's is a place everyone can belong, grow and thrive.

The salary range advertised is in line with our pay principles, for consistency and fairness while recognising the skills and experience applicants bring to the role. Appointing salaries can be discussed further at appointment stage; we do seek to appoint within this range always exercising responsible stewardship.

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

Barnardo's require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo's services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland)

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Our basis and values

Are you a compassionate, strategic leader with a strong head for finance, a steady hand for organisational management, and a genuine commitment to improving mental health in our communities? We are seeking a part time CEO to guide our charity into its next chapter.

For over 40 years, our organisation has supported people across our community with high quality mental health services. With around 50 dedicated staff, we are small enough to be personal and values driven, yet large enough to deliver meaningful, life changing impact every day.

We are now looking for a CEO who can bring clarity, confidence, and care to the role.

About the Role

Working 21 hours over 3 days per week, the CEO will provide strategic leadership, ensure financial sustainability, and support a positive, inclusive culture where staff and volunteers can thrive. You will work closely with the Board of Trustees and senior team to ensure our services remain safe, effective, and aligned with our mission.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly organised, financially astute, and passionate about people.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the charity’s strategic direction and organisational development
• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and reporting
• Ensure strong governance, compliance, and risk management
• Support and develop the senior leadership team
• Maintain a positive, values driven culture across the organisation
• Build strong relationships with partners, funders, and commissioners
• Represent the charity with credibility and compassion

Who We’re Looking For

• Experienced charity or health sector leader with a track record of delivering results
• Financially confident—able to interpret accounts, manage budgets, and ensure sustainability
• Organised and strategic—able to prioritise effectively within a part time role
• People centred—skilled at building trust, supporting teams, and fostering wellbeing
• Values driven with a commitment to mental health inclusion and dignity

Terms

• Hours: 21 hours over 3 days
• Salary: Competitive, aligned with experience
• Contract : Fixed term 6 months – with possibility of extension
• Location: Hybrid, with presence across services
• Reports to: Board of Trustees

About Us:

The Scottish Food Commission was established as a new independent statutory body within the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. The Commission’s purpose: to provide stewardship and oversight of Scotland’s Good Food Nation ambition, and to support progress towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system for all.

The Commission are now recruiting our first senior staff team. These initial roles will shape how the Commission operates, how it scrutinises evidence and policy, how it engages with relevant authorities and communities, and how it communicates its work with clarity, independence and impact.

We should at the outset make you aware that there is a Programme for Government (PfG) commitment for the Commission to be integrated into Food Standards Scotland, and with this planned integration is the possibility that organisational structures, policies and processes, as well as aspects of the roles may change over time. Whilst we do not expect these changes to be forthcoming imminently, if there are any changes before the appointment start date, these will be communicated with the successful candidate. We do not however expect there to be any changes to the role itself.

Equalities:

The Scottish Food Commission is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class.

We want this recruitment process to be inclusive. Candidates will be invited to tell us about any reasonable adjustments needed in relation to the application process, assessment exercise or interview.

The Role:

The Head of Policy and Research is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the Commission’s policy scrutiny, research, evidence, data, analysis, expert advice and formal recommendations in relation to Scotland’s Good Food Nation, meaning that you’ll have the opportunity to lead in shaping how the Commission provides independent, evidence-led advice from the outset and as the organisation develops.

As the Head of Policy and Research, you will lead the Commission’s policy and research approach to scrutinising the national Good Food Nation Plan and relevant authority plans, ensuring that advice and recommendations are credible, independent, evidence-informed and practical. This means that you’ll be trusted to use your policy insight and judgement to influence work that is ambitious, practical and focused on real progress for people and communities across Scotland.

You will develop and maintain the Commission’s evidence and analytical frameworks, commission or support research where appropriate, and translate evidence into constructive policy advice for Scottish Ministers and relevant authorities, meaning that you will build strong foundations for the Commission’s evidence base, bringing research and analysis together in ways that support fair, constructive and informed decision-making at a national level.

You will work closely with the Head of Engagement and Communications to ensure policy and research are informed by diverse perspectives and communicated clearly, accessibly and impactfully, and with Corporate Services to ensure programmes are planned, governed and resourced effectively, giving you the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues in ensuring that policy work is inclusive, well communicated and supported by effective planning and resources.

The role requires strategic judgement, political awareness, strong analytical capability, an understanding of public policy, legislation and research methods, and the ability to translate complexity into practical, actionable advice. This means that you’ll bring your skills and sound judgement to a role where complex issues need to be translated clearly and constructively to decision-makers.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will also have an organisational leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and other Heads of Function to ensure the Commission is effective, independent, collaborative and influential. This gives you the opportunity to be in a visible leadership role in a new organisation, working with supportive senior colleagues to help shape a collaborative, independent and influential Commission.

So, if you are keen to be our Head of Policy and Research and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for.

Further information regarding the role can be found in the recruitment pack and job description.

Scottish Food Commission Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public Holidays
• Flexible working
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:
• member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector
• tax relief on your contributions
• generous employer contributions
• a secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertainty
• the option of tax-free lump sum on retirement
• potential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to work
• life assurance cover
• benefits for loved ones and dependants
• keeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere

About You:

Some of the skills you will need to be considered as our Head of Policy and Research (please refer to job description for full list of criteria):

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience
• Experience of working in a public policy, legislative, scrutiny, regulatory, research, evidence, data or analytical environment
• Strong awareness of food systems policy context
• Ability to lead policy review and influence and inform public policy
• Understanding of how policy, evidence, legislation, delivery and accountability interact
• Exemplary communication skills
• Proven ability to design, lead or commission research and evidence programmes
• Experience of managing research projects, external suppliers or expert input
• Proven ability to manage sensitive relationships and communicate complex messages clearly
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in a politically aware but independent manner
• Strong management skills and the ability to lead and empower staff
• Ability to provide organisational leadership
• Experience of business planning and budget management
• Current UK Driving Licence and willingness to travel
• Permission to work in the UK

Could you help us shape what's next?

OutLET is a Lanarkshire-based charity and social enterprise using nature to support emotional wellbeing, confidence and resilience. We deliver therapeutic forest school projects, community play and wellbeing programmes, and training for practitioners up to Forest School Leader level.

We've built a strong reputation for doing things differently, developed innovative programmes and training, built trusted relationships with partners and funders and, perhaps most importantly, assembled an experienced, committed and stable team who genuinely care about what they do.

Now we're ready for the next chapter.

We're looking for an innovative, strategic and big-picture thinker to become our new CEO and help us explore just how far OutLET could go.

This isn't a role for someone who simply wants to maintain the status quo. We're looking for someone who sees possibilities where others see barriers; who can spot opportunities, bring people with them and turn good ideas into practical action.

The Role

As CEO, you'll work closely with our Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Team to lead OutLET's strategic direction, organisational development and long-term sustainability.

You'll help us identify opportunities for growth, innovation and expansion — whether that's through new partnerships, income streams, areas of work or ways of working.

We already have people who know how to deliver. We need someone who can help us think about where we go next.

You'll provide strategic oversight without being expected to do everything yourself. Our experienced Senior Leadership Team and established staff teams bring considerable knowledge and expertise. Your role will be to bring those strengths together, create space for good ideas and turn ambition into action.

You'll also lead on governance, organisational sustainability, people and culture, marketing and communications, and representing OutLET with partners, funders and stakeholders.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for someone who is:

• Innovative - curious, creative and willing to challenge conventional thinking.
• Strategic - able to see the bigger picture and turn vision into action.
• Entrepreneurial - able to spot opportunities and explore new approaches.
• Collaborative - able to bring people together and get the best from a team.
• Authentic - leads with honesty, openness and integrity.
• People-focused - understands that great organisations are built around people who feel valued and supported.

You don't need to be an outdoor learning expert - our team already has that expertise. What we need is the leadership, curiosity and imagination to help us make the most of it.

*This post is subject to membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and satisfactory PVG Scheme Record/Update. The successful candidate will be required to undergo the appropriate Disclosure Scotland vetting checks prior to appointment.*

Why OutLET?

You'll be joining an organisation with:

• A strong reputation - established, trusted and known for doing things differently.
• An experienced and stable team - people with deep knowledge, expertise and commitment.
• Real potential for growth - exciting opportunities to develop our work, reach more people and explore new possibilities.
• Space to innovate - we're open to new ideas and different ways of working.
• A family-first approach - we recognise that people have lives outside work.
• Flexible working - we're open to discussing hours and working patterns with the right person.