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Top job! Chief Executive Officer

  • Full time
  • Circa £50,000
  • Hybrid: Edinburgh with flexible arrangements
  • Closing 5th March 2026


  • Advertised from 12th February 2026

Role

Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is a membership organisation representing a broad and diverse community across Scotland. Through engagement, consultation and influencing activity, DES ensures disabled people’s voices shape policy and practice at national level.

The organisation works collaboratively across sectors and is recognised as a constructive and influential voice within Scotland’s disability landscape.

The role

Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is entering an exciting new phase and is seeking an ambitious and strategic Chief Executive Officer to build on the organisation’s significant progress and national influence.

Over recent years, DES has strengthened its position as one of Scotland’s leading disability organisations, with a strong and engaged membership base, established partnerships and secure funding in place. The organisation is now looking for a confident and connected leader who can shape its next stage of development and further amplify its voice at a national level.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive will provide strategic leadership across the organisation, ensuring strong governance, financial stewardship and continued impact.

The Opportunity

This is a high-profile leadership role with responsibility for:

  • Providing clear strategic direction and delivering the organisation’s vision and business plans
  • Acting as principal ambassador and spokesperson for DES
  • Influencing policy and building constructive relationships with Scottish Government, partners, funders and stakeholders
  • Leading a senior management team and fostering a culture of professionalism, inclusion and accountability
  • Ensuring robust financial management across a circa £500k turnover organisation
  • Supporting a period of organisational development and structural refinement
  • Working closely with the Board to ensure strong governance, compliance and risk management

DES is in a stable financial position, with secured funding in place for the current and forthcoming year. This provides a strong platform from which the next CEO can focus on strategic growth, innovation and long-term sustainability.

The Person

The Board is seeking a credible and inspiring leader who can operate confidently at a national level.

You will bring:

  • Significant senior leadership experience within a charity, not-for-profit or aligned environment
  • A strong track record of working effectively with a Board
  • Strategic thinking combined with the ability to deliver operationally
  • Financial literacy and experience of organisational budget oversight
  • Experience influencing policy and engaging constructively with government and sector partners
  • Excellent public speaking and communication skills
  • A collaborative mindset – someone who sees partnership, not competition, as key to progress
  • A clear commitment to advancing disability equality in Scotland

Knowledge of Scottish policy development, equality and human rights legislation, accessibility principles and community engagement will be highly valuable.

Lived experience of disability is particularly welcomed (although not essential), as is experience within membership-based organisations.

Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion

DES is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and actively welcomes applications from disabled people and individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible. Adjustments are available at every stage, please advise us of any requirements.

We encourage applications from all sectors, reflecting our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Application notes

Closing date: Thursday 5th March

1st stage interview: Wednesday 18th March

2nd stage interview: Tuesday 24th March

Please visit Disability Equality Scotland - Aspen People to find out more and to apply.