Walking Scotland is Scotland’s walking and wheeling charity. Walking and wheeling are the most affordable and practical ways to help solve some of Scotland’s biggest challenges, from health inequalities to the climate-nature emergencies.

We promote the benefits of walking and wheeling on our physical, social, and mental health. Our programmes connect communities and inspire positive behaviour change. We also improve places and spaces to walk and wheel.

A key element of this work involves the delivery of our walking programmes, and we are seeking a senior leader who can inspire and develop our approach to this work. Our programme settings are based on national and international evidence of what works best to support people to become more active with walking and wheeling being one of the best ways to achieve this

So, as a potential candidate for this new post:

• Are you able to take a leading role by managing our walking programme teams to deliver on our commitments?
• Are you able to build, manage and nurture highly effective relationships, influencing key stakeholders, partner organisations and funders to increase walking opportunities in Scotland?
• Can you demonstrate competency as a senior leader and contribute meaningfully to a Senior Leadership Team?.
• Are you adaptable and resilient and able to anticipate challenges and developing plans to solve them?

You will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team to champion and deliver Walking Scotland’s Mission, Strategy, and Plans. You will also lead a multidisciplinary team to drive forward Walking Scotland’s key objectives within the programme settings.

We offer the opportunity to be part of an organisation that recognises staff as our most valued asset. Attractive employment conditions include a contributory pension scheme and flexi-time policy.

About The Enchanted Forest:

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust (EFCT) is the charity behind Scotland’s longest-running and most successful sound and light show—an award-winning immersive experience that draws approximately 85,000 visitors each year and contributes around £10 million annually to the Highland Perthshire economy. The Trust’s purpose is to transport and delight audiences while celebrating the remarkable natural beauty of Faskally Woods and ensuring the event remains welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all.

Now approaching its 25th anniversary, The Enchanted Forest has grown from a pioneering creative idea into one of Scotland’s most iconic cultural events. Supported by over 100 seasonal staff, local suppliers and businesses, and a strong community ethos, the event has welcomed nearly one million visitors since its inception. Importantly, proceeds from the show are reinvested back into Highland Perthshire, with the Trust awarding grants to local charities and community groups every year.

Values:

EFCT’s values underpin everything they do. They are the motivators and they determine the way they make emotional connections with their audience.

Community - From the team that pulls the event together and the dedicated partners, to the volunteers and visitors – it is one big community. Everyone is important, and everyone is appreciated.

Respect - Caring about customers, the environment, their team and the local community – treating each group with the respect they deserve.

Quality - When customers buy The Enchanted Forest tickets, they are guaranteed excellence. They know their experience is going to be the best. And with each event, they are striving to enhance that further.

Creativity - Innovation, art, spectacle, wonder – The Enchanted Forest is breathtaking. They don’t just want to get it right; they want their customers to be in awe and leave inspired.

The Role of CEO:

In 2026, as EFCT celebrates its milestone 25th event and welcomes its 1,000,000th visitor, the organisation is looking to the future and seeking a visionary Chief Executive to lead its next chapter.

The new CEO will work in close partnership with the Board of Trustees to steer the long-term strategic direction of the charity, ensuring the continued success, sustainability and creative evolution of its flagship event. They will safeguard the Trust’s financial health, uphold best-practice governance, and provide strong, values-led leadership to the operations, creative, and production teams. As the public ambassador for EFCT, the CEO will build and nurture key relationships with partners, funders, local authorities, media, and the wider community—protecting the reputation of the event and amplifying its impact.

The CEO will also oversee the Trust’s community grant-giving programme, ensuring that the surplus generated by the event continues to benefit organisations across Highland Perthshire in meaningful and impactful ways. With responsibility for strategic planning, financial management, operational delivery, risk oversight and compliance, they will ensure that the Trust continues to operate transparently, ethically, and sustainably.

Candidates will bring proven senior leadership experience, ideally gained in a creative, cultural, events, charity or tourism environment. They will have successfully led organisations through development and change, managed complex operational programmes, and implemented financially sound, future-focused strategies. A strong communicator and relationship-builder, they will demonstrate high emotional intelligence, commercial acumen, and an ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams. Importantly, they will share a genuine passion for the mission, community benefit, and unique magic that The Enchanted Forest brings to Highland Perthshire every year.

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Scotland’s most celebrated cultural experiences at a pivotal moment in its history. The next Chief Executive will inherit a thriving, values-driven organisation and play a defining role in shaping its next decade—ensuring the event continues to evolve creatively while delivering real and lasting benefit to the local community.