Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy – Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS)

Help shape the future of children’s palliative care in Scotland

Are you ready to lead transformative growth at Scotland’s only provider of children’s palliative care? As Head of Partnership and Philanthropy at CHAS, you will be at the heart of our ambition to make sure that no family in Scotland has to face the death of their child alone. Joining at a pivotal time in our organisation’s history, you’ll guide talented teams to secure the vital resources that will help us be there for more children who need our help, and their families. This role offers a rare opportunity to champion creative, high-impact partnerships and inspire a dedicated team working to bring comfort and hope to children and families when they need it most.

In this senior role, you’ll oversee our Partnerships and Philanthropy team during this period of transformational growth, leading efforts to secure major donations, develop corporate relationships, and design unforgettable, high-profile events. Working closely with our Appeal Director, you’ll help drive the “It’s Not Just a Hospice” appeal and lead efforts to secure £16.3 million to transform one of our two children’s hospices, Rachel House. With creativity, determination, and compassion, you’ll play a critical role in CHAS’s mission to provide unwavering care to children who may die young and their families.

Your Role at CHAS

As part of our award-winning Income Generation and Engagement Directorate, you’ll report to the Director of Income Generation and Engagement and lead a department of 13 talented professionals, including two senior managers. This role is central to CHAS’s strategic vision, which includes a fundraising goal of £75 million (including £16.3 million from the major appeal) over the next five years to sustain CHAS’s life-changing work and fund key projects like the Rachel House redevelopment.

About You

To excel in this role, you’ll bring:

• Proven strategic leadership: Success in developing and executing high-value strategies that inspire teams and maximise revenue.

• Fundraising expertise: Significant experience in major donor or partnership fundraising, with a strong track record of meeting ambitious goals.

• High-impact relationship-building skills: Ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships with corporate sponsors, major donors, and stakeholders.

• Team development skills: Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams, nurturing talent, and driving efficiency.

• Innovative, commercially minded approach: Talent for identifying new opportunities and refining operations to support growth.

• Passion for CHAS’ mission: A commitment to making a tangible difference for families facing a child’s life-limiting condition.

Why Join CHAS?

At CHAS, we’re committed to making sure that no one has to face the death of their child alone. We provide unwavering care through a unique model that spans hospices, hospitals, and homes, providing comfort, choice, and dignity to children who may die young and their families.

Working with CHAS means making an extraordinary impact every day in a supportive, collaborative environment. Here’s what we offer:

• Flexible Working: Embrace hybrid options with time split between home and onsite in any of our sites in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Kinross or Balloch, with family-friendly working arrangements.

• Professional Development: Exposure to a range of fundraising activities and continuous learning opportunities.

• Supportive Culture: Work alongside a high-performing, award-winning team dedicated to achieving ambitious goals through innovation and partnership.

• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, a competitive pension, incremental salary progression, Blue Light discounts, and extensive health and wellbeing support.

What if you don’t meet all the job requirements?

At CHAS we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity, recognising that everyone’s journey is unique. We believe in the power of transferable skills, so if you don’t have the exact qualifications or background listed but believe your experience and skills are a great fit, we encourage you to apply. Feel free to reach out to Iain or our team for a chat to explore how you could be a great addition to our team.

At Thistle Foundation we believe in a world of inclusion, free of isolation and loneliness, where a health crisis doesn’t mean a life crisis. Our organisation supports people living with disabilities and long-term health conditions to lead good lives and achieve what matters most to them. Every year, our health and wellbeing team supports 1000s of people across Scotland, and our Supported Living teams work alongside just under 100 people in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. They promote citizenship and inclusion and support people to live in their own homes, in their local community.

This new post will form part of the management team and work closely with the Chief Executive and Director of Resources to plan and deliver the Thistle Strategy.

Key responsibilities will include:

- Providing leadership, strategic direction and overall accountability for person-centred activities and a strength-based approach, ensuring continuous improvement and delivery against quality standards.

- Ensuring managers are accountable for their own and their teams’ objectives

- Representing Thistle with a range of stakeholders internally and externally and key contact for contracting organisations.

- Overseeing operational management targets particularly in relation to statutory compliance

You should have both operational and strategic management experience within the health and/or social care sector and professionally qualified to SCQF level 10 or above in a relevant health/ social care qualification and hold appropriate leadership and management qualifications or demonstrate equivalent learning.