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.