- Advertised from 2nd December 2025
Role
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is Scotland’s leading health charity working to help people with chest, heart and stroke conditions live life to the full. People with these conditions need and want to know how to manage them day to day and live as well as they can.
Experiencing a life-changing event like a heart attack or stroke or being diagnosed with a chest or heart condition or Long Covid, can mean that people are scared and alone. Many people do not know where to turn. Nobody in Scotland should have to face their health journey on their own. CHSS will deliver a community where people with its conditions can support each other, secure the expert help they need and advocate for the care that matters to them. Central to delivering the No Life Half Lived strategy, the Strategic Communications Manager plays a key role in helping CHSS reach 175,000 people annually by 2028, ensuring all design and content reflects the charity’s mission and values.
The Strategic Communications Manager will lead and align all external and internal communications to build and protect the reputation of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS). This strategic role covers brand campaigns, media, partnerships, services marketing, crisis communications and internal communications.
Working closely with the Head of Communications & Marketing, the post-holder will position communications as a strategic enabler of CHSS’ ambition that there should be No Life Half Lived in Scotland. A key focus is to establish CHSS as a trusted source of health information and thought leadership, particularly in relation to Chest, Heart and Stroke conditions.
The role will provide expert media advice, supports senior spokespeople and leads a team of specialists to deliver integrated, impactful communications. It will oversee strategic media partnerships, evidence-led content and proactive relationship building to enhance CHSS’s visibility and credibility.
The Strategic Communications Manager will collaborate across departments to develop tailored marketing plans and strengthen internal communications.
Duties & Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Line manage a team of four
- Oversee team workflow, development and performance reviews
- Provide coaching and strategic oversight to ensure media activities align with CHSS goals
Strategic Communications
- Develop and deliver integrated communications plans across media, brand, services, crisis comms and internal channels
- Lead brand campaigns including FAST and Advice Line, ensuring alignment with CHSS values
- Manage proactive and reactive media strategies, including crisis response protocols
- Use audience insight to inform planning and improve engagement metrics
Internal Collaboration
- Work with departments across CHSS to co-develop communications plans that support strategic priorities
- Provide media advice to senior leaders including the Chief Executive
- Collaborate with Evaluation & Impact, Data and Service Delivery teams to ensure evidence-led messaging
- Support Income Generation teams with marketing initiatives for fundraising and retail
External Relationships
- Build and manage relationships with media, creative agencies and public/private sector partners (e.g., NHS, Network Rail)
- Manage contracts with media monitoring and distribution services
- Represent CHSS externally with professionalism and credibility
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure all communications comply with GDPR, NLA and CLA regulations
- Maintain oversight of media monitoring tools and ensure supplier compliance
- Provide training and guidance on legal standards to internal teams
External Engagement
- Lead communications for high-profile campaigns and joint initiatives with external stakeholders
- Use the External Engagement Toolkit to enhance CHSS’ reach and reputation
- Promote CHSS’ mission and services to increase stakeholder awareness and referrals
Volunteer Engagement
- Highlight volunteer impact through strategic communications and storytelling
- Collaborate with the Volunteering Team to develop case studies and recruitment campaigns
- Promote volunteer opportunities to stakeholders and ensure positive volunteer experiences
Preferred Candidate Background
The ideal candidate for the Strategic Communications Manager role will be a seasoned communications professional with a strong track record in strategic media relations, brand leadership, and cross-channel campaign delivery. They will bring a blend of creativity, technical proficiency and strategic insight, coupled with a collaborative mindset and the ability to lead and inspire teams. With at least five years’ experience in communications within the charity or public affairs sector, they will be confident advising senior stakeholders, managing complex projects and driving impactful, evidence-led communications that align with organisational goals.
Required Skills:
- Supportive and effective line management style; able to motivate teams to deliver challenging projects
- Skilled at translating complex information into engaging, audience-appropriate content
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills across varied audiences
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Creative and solutions-focused approach to problem-solving
- Strong relationship-building skills and ability to grow internal and external networks
- Ability to manage competing priorities and complex issues in a fast-paced environment
- Confident advising senior stakeholders on sensitive or strategic communications
- Strong project management skills for own and team workload
- Skilled in maintaining message discipline across large projects or organisations
- Effective working relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders
Required Experience:
- Proficiency in media monitoring and distribution tools (Onclusive, Meltwater, Vuelio)
- Experience with project management and collaboration platforms (Trello, Asana, Slack)
- Familiarity with digital content creation tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Strong understanding of social media platforms and digital PR strategies
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in strategic communications, media relations or public affairs
- Proven track record of securing national and regional media coverage across broadcast, print and digital platforms
- Experience integrating communications across digital and traditional channels
- Experience in the charity sector and understanding of its diverse business functions
- Experience coordinating colleagues and external partners to deliver impactful content
- Proven ability to develop and execute strategies for high-quality publicity
- Experience planning and delivering external communications projects across teams
- Experience improving systems and processes to increase communications efectiveness
- Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work within tight timescales
- Experience developing and working within brand guidelines
- Proven line management experience
- Experience managing and reviewing contracts with external suppliers to ensure value for money
Application notes
Many thanks for your interest in joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS). If this is a position that suits your skillset and career ambitions, we would be delighted to hear from you.
More information available here.
To apply, please send your CV to our retained advisor Rachel Sim at:
CHSS Community Stroke Nurse –Lothian
- Full time
- £35,205
- Hybrid: Astley Ainslie Hospital / Home Based
- Closing 17th December 2025
Everyday people with chest, heart and stroke conditions leave hospital scared and alone. You can be part of our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland.
By joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS)as a Stroke Nurse you can be the difference between people just surviving and really living.
You will be part of Scotland’s leading charity providing support to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions to live life to the full again. Our community health support services form a nationwide network of local support groups, nurses, volunteers and one-to-one support teams helping families adjust to life with a heart or lung condition or after a stroke.
The role of Stroke Nurse is to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital back into the community, for people who have had a stroke and their families. The Stroke Nurse helps them adjust to the changes associated with the stroke, through the provision of information, advice and support.
We are seeking an enthusiastic individual who is organised and motivated, with good communication skills. Candidates must have a first level general nursing qualification and have a minimum of 3 years post-registration experience in either a hospital or community setting. Experience working with people affected by stroke is desirable.
For an informal discussion please contact Audrey Bruce, CHSS Lead Stroke Nurse, Lothian on07391911439 or email: audrey.bruce@chss.org.uk
CHSS also supports flexible recruitment through Working Families and we are “Happy to Talk Flexible Working”.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a PVG check. CHSS is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
Aphasia Self Management Facilitator
- Full time
- £24,798
- On site: Lothian and Grampian
- Closing 9th December 2025
Every day people with chest, heart and stroke conditions are leaving hospital scared and alone. You can be part of our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland.
By joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) as an Aphasia Self- Management Facilitator you can be the difference between people just surviving and really living.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Aphasia Self-Management Facilitator to lead and develop our community-based self-management support services for people living with poststroke aphasia or communication difficulties.
In this role, you will:
- Deliver and develop our accessible 12-week aphasia self-management programme.
- Lead and support a team of volunteers to ensure high-quality, engaging sessions.
- Empower participants to take control of their health and lifestyle, building confidence and promoting positive changes.
- Ensure engagement and retention, supporting participants throughout their journey to achieve the best possible outcomes.
You will be passionate about making a difference, with excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others in a group setting.
You will be part of Scotland’s leading health charity providing support to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full again. Our Community Healthcare Support Service provides access to a range of supported self management and community recovery services to support people across Scotland to manage their health as well as possible and adjust to life after a diagnosis of a chest or heart condition or after a stroke.
CHSS also supports flexible recruitment through Working Families and we are “Happy to Talk Flexible Working”.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a PVG check. CHSS is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
Supported Self Management Training Facilitator, Lothian
- Full time
- £24,798
- Remote: Home Based, with travel across Lothian
- Closing 5th December 2025
Every day people with chest, heart and stroke conditions are leaving hospital scared and alone. You can be part of our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland.
By joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) as a Supported Self- Management Training Facilitator, you can be the difference between people just surviving and really living.
You will be part of Scotland’s leading charity providing support to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions to live life to the full again. Our Community Healthcare Support Services form a nationwide network of local services, including our Supported Self Management programme, community support groups, nurses, volunteers and one-to-one support teams helping families adjust to life with a heart or lung condition or after a stroke.
We are looking for a Supported Self Management Training Facilitator to join our amazing team in the Lothian area. This role is focused on making sure that people affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions have access to our evidence-based Chronic Disease Supported Self Management programme, enabling people with our conditions to live with, and beyond, their new reality.
Through delivering our Supported Self Management programme, you will support people to develop the skills, knowledge and tools to confidently self manage their health condition and live as independently as possible. You’ll also
help people to get back to doing the things that are important to them – from simple things like walking to their local shop following a stroke, to returning to a sky-high hobby of gliding!
You will co-facilitate the delivery of our 6-week Chronic Disease Self Management workshops with another trained facilitator and line manage any volunteers who support the delivery of these sessions. You will lead and motivate participants within a group setting to take control of their lives in a positive way, raising their confidence and empowering them to develop the skills to set and achieve goals, make strong and supportive connections with their
workshop peers and make meaningful changes to their lifestyle to support their ongoing self management journey.
Candidates don’t need to have medical knowledge, or previous experience as a Chronic Disease Supported Self Management Facilitator, as full training is provided. We are looking for someone with a positive attitude towards people with disabilities and long-term conditions and an understanding of the challenges faced by people with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid. You should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to engage with others confidently and deliver key information, clearly.
At Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, our mission is to ensure there’s No Life Half Lived in Scotland – and you can be a vital part of that. We are Scotland’s leading organisation for person-centred, user-led community support for people
with our health conditions.
Applicants must have a car and a current valid driving licence (expenses are paid at mileage rate).
CHSS also supports flexible recruitment through Working Families and we are “Happy to Talk Flexible Working”.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a PVG check. CHSS is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
Every day people with chest, heart and stroke conditions are leaving hospital scared and alone. You can be part of our mission to make sure that there is no life half lived in Scotland.
By joining Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) as eLearning Officer you can help to be the difference between people just surviving and really living.
You will be part of Scotland’s leading health charity providing support to people with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid to live life to the full again. Working as part of the Professional Engagement team, the CHSS eLearning service exists to ensure that people affected by, and those caring for, people with these conditions are supported with information they want, when they need it, and in a way that is appropriate for them.
As the CHSS eLearning Officer, within the professional engagement team, you will be responsible for supporting the processes involved in reviewing, developing and maintaining CHSS’s portfolio of eLearning resources.
The post holder will collaborate with the appropriate internal and external professionals, service users and advisory groups to ensure the content of all preexisting and new eLearning resources remain current, and evidence based.
For further information about the role, please contact Mairi Whiston, Health Information and eLearning Clinical Lead, Email: mairi.whiston@chss.org.uk.
CHSS employees enjoy a variety of organisational benefits including: company pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, company sick pay, employee welfare support and life assurance.
CHSS also supports flexible recruitment through Working Families and we are “Happy to Talk Flexible Working”.
In line with our commitment to safeguarding, this role is subject to a Basic Disclosure check. CHSS is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing a service which is free from unfair and unlawful discrimination.
We therefore aim to ensure that no applicant, volunteer or member of staff is unfairly treated on the grounds of offending background.
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