Head of Client Services

  • Full time
  • £39,000
  • Hybrid: Home-based with travel to each Area Office for a minimum of one day per month (Area Offices located in: Aberdeen, Glasgow, Leith and Perth)
  • Closing 24th August 2026


  • Advertised from 4th August 2026
  • 35 hours per week (occasional evenings and weekends)

Role

Help shape bereavement support across Scotland

Every day, Cruse Scotland supports people all across Scotland who are grieving the death of someone important to them. Through the compassion and commitment of our highly trained volunteers and staff, we provide bereavement support that helps people navigate one of the most difficult times in their lives.

We're looking for an experienced, compassionate and confident leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as our Head of Client Services.

This is a unique opportunity to lead our national bereavement services, ensuring they remain safe, effective, accessible and responsive while helping shape how we continue to develop and improve support for people across Scotland.

"The support group more than exceeded my expectations. I felt heard, felt safe, felt understood and felt less alone." – Cruse Scotland client May 2026

About the role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you'll provide strategic and operational leadership for Cruse Scotland's client services. You'll lead a team of Area Managers, our Helpline Development Manager and Client Services Co-ordinator, to ensure our core services and projects are delivered consistently and continue to meet the changing needs of the people who rely on us.

This is a busy and varied leadership role. Alongside supporting and developing your managers, you'll oversee service quality, safeguarding, clinical governance, service performance and continuous improvement. You'll contribute to organisational strategy, work closely with the Board and senior colleagues, and use data, feedback and lived experience to help shape future services.

About you

We're looking for someone who combines strategic thinking with practical operational leadership.

You will have experience of leading services, developing managers and driving continuous improvement within psychologically informed, counselling, therapeutic, health, social care or similar environments. You'll be comfortable leading through complexity, making sound decisions, managing safeguarding responsibilities and using data and insight to improve services.

“Cruse Scotland got me to the place in my life I need to be and not blaming myself about my mum’s death”

- Cruse Scotland client March 2026

Most importantly, you'll be someone who leads with compassion, integrity and confidence, building positive relationships and creating an environment where staff and volunteers can thrive.

Why join Cruse Scotland?

This is a role where you'll make a genuine difference - not only to the people who access our services, but to the volunteers and staff who make those services possible.

Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Their commitment, compassion and generosity are truly inspiring, and you'll have the privilege of supporting services that enable them to make such a positive impact across Scotland.

“Volunteering with Cruse Scotland has given me a real sense of connection—both with the clients I support and with my fellow volunteer counsellors, who are incredibly supportive. It’s also strengthened my connection to my local community by allowing me to support people during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Seeing clients feel heard, understood and accepted as they process their grief is incredibly meaningful” – Cruse Scotland volunteer June 2026

You'll also become part of a small but mighty staff team of 18. Although we're based across Scotland with many working remotely much of the time, we make a real effort to stay connected. We meet online every fortnight to share ideas, support one another and celebrate successes, and we come together in person at set times across the year because we know that strong relationships help us do our best work.

“It's been an absolute pleasure working with such a genuinely lovely and dedicated group of people, I'll really miss working with everyone” – employee quote July 2026

If you're looking for a leadership role where you'll have the opportunity to shape services, inspire others and improve the experience of bereaved people across Scotland, we'd love to hear from you.

Application notes

A recruitment pack is available to download below.

Closing Date for Applications: 12noon, Monday 24th August 2026

Interview Dates: Monday 31st August or Tuesday 1st September 2026 in Leith

Any prospective applicant wishing an informal conversation ahead of applying for the role, can request this by emailing CEO, Fiona Arnott-Barron at: fab@crusescotland.org.uk


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