Lead operational services that save lives across Scotland.

St John Scotland is looking for an experienced Head of Operations to lead national operational delivery, service performance, operational staff and volunteer frameworks. This full-time senior leadership role is ideal for a confident operational leader who combines people skills with decisiveness, structure and calm judgement.

About the role

As Head of Operations, you will be accountable for the effective, safe and consistent delivery of St John Scotland’s operational services across Scotland. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (Senior Executive), you will provide clear operational leadership, performance management and decision-making authority.

What you’ll do

• Lead planning and delivery across Patient Transport, Public Access Defibrillators, CPR awareness and volunteering.
• Manage performance, budgets and resources within delegated authority.
• Resolve service delivery issues and escalations at the right level.
• Line manage Service Delivery Officers and future operational managers.
• Strengthen volunteer frameworks, safeguarding, risk management and assurance reporting.
• Build relationships with NHS Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and local stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement across operational services

What we’re looking for

• Significant operational leadership experience in a complex charity, public, health or similar setting.
• Proven ability to manage staff and volunteers within clear accountability frameworks.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and compliance.
• Experience turning strategy into disciplined delivery.
• Excellent communication skills, including confidence handling difficult conversations.
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills.
• A clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Scotland.

Key details

Full time, 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend work. Edinburgh Head Office, with regular travel across Scotland and flexible working considered.

Braeburn Home is looking to appoint a Chair to its Board of Trustees.

This is a Self-Employed Role.

It is a key role, providing leadership and oversight to ensure the Home delivers its Strategic Aims & Ambitions, remains financially sustainable and in collaboration with the Home Manager, continues to meet the needs of the residents. The Chair leads the Board and provides challenge, support and clear strategic direction.

Job Description

Strategy, Vision & Purpose

• Shape how Braeburn Home develops and implements its vision and objectives in a way that meets the diverse needs of its residents, staff, community, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain a well-informed view of Braeburn Home and the wider landscape to support forward-looking decision-making.

Relationship with the Home Manager

• Develop a strong, constructive partnership with the Home Manager, providing challenge and support while maintaining governance and operational boundaries.
• Support the Home Manager in delivering the Operational Plan and leading the organisation effectively.
• Lead Board involvement in the appointment, appraisal, and where necessary, succession planning of the Home Manager.

Leading the Board

• Chair Board meetings effectively, ensuring focused, well-informed and timely decision-making.
• Ensure the Board has the right balance of skills, experience and independence.
• Lead Board development, evaluation and succession planning to maintain high standards of governance and performance.

Good Governance and Financial Management

• Ensure Braeburn Home meets all statutory, regulatory and reporting requirements and operations in line with best practice of OSCR, Care Inspectorate, SSSC and Company Limited by Guarantee.
• Oversee robust financial management, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable and resilient.
• Lead the Board’s approach to risk management, ensuring risks to the delivery of the Aims and Objectives are identified, monitored and mitigated.

Relationship Building and Advocacy

• Act as an ambassador or Braeburn Home, promoting its mission, vision, aims and objectives.
• Lead relationships at board level with key partners.
• Enhance the Home’s profile and influence across the sector and local community.

Role Specification

Knowledge & Experience

• Has held a senior or influential position, such as Chairperson or Chief Executive
• Deep Understanding of Charity Governance and Trustee Responsibilities
• Experience in overseeing risk, audit, finance, and performance frameworks
• A sound understanding of Care Homes & Adult Care Services
• Experienced in maintaining productive relationships

Skills

• Can confidently lead and manage meetings, building consensus and taking key and difficult decisions when required.
• A willingness to challenge constructively.
• Ability to set and monitor long-term direction and strategy.
• Comfortable with interpreting budgets, risk registers, and performance reports to make sound judgments.
• Strong communication, influencing and diplomacy skills
• Capacity to represent the Home publicly.

Remuneration

£25 per hour. Approx 5 hours per week. For a 12-month period from September 2026.

Board meetings are currently held at Braeburn Home on a monthly basis, of around 3 hours per meeting. With the remaining hours worked either at your own base or at the Home, depending on business needs.

You will be required to enter into a Service Agreement and provide a breakdown of the services and work delivered on your invoice.

This is not an employment contract, and you are responsible for your tax.

Use your financial expertise to support Scotland’s trees and native woodlands

Future Woodlands Scotland is looking for a Finance Trustee to join our Board and help guide the organisation through its next phase of growth.

This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in tackling the climate crisis and restoring Scotland’s landscapes, supporting work that spans from urban forestry to the recovery of native woodlands.

About the role

Maintaining robust finances and the astute management of our funding is an essential part of our charitable impact in the field. As Finance Trustee, you’ll help ensure the charity remains financially strong, well-governed and sustainable, bringing your expertise to support strategic decision-making and long-term impact.

What you’ll bring

• Professional experience in finance (e.g. accountancy, audit, financial management)
• A strategic mindset and sound judgement
• The ability to contribute effectively at Board level

You don’t need previous Trustee experience, and an environmental background is welcome but not essential.

What you’ll gain

• The chance to shape a growing, ambitious environmental charity
• Experience of operating at Board level
• The opportunity to make a tangible difference for nature and communities across Scotland

Time commitment

• Two online meetings per year (approx. two hours)
• Two in-person meetings per year
• Finance and Audit Committee (approx. two hours four times a year)