Communications and Membership Lead

  • Full time
  • £31,500
  • Hybrid: Homeworking with some travel, including to DES Edinburgh office
  • Closing 14th September 2026


  • Advertised from 24th August 2026
  • 35 Hours per week

Role

Disability Equality Scotland (DES) is a national charity and membership organisation for disabled people, Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPOs), Access Panels, and disability groups/organisations. It is our mission to work towards achieving inclusion and accessibility for all disabled people.

DES promotes access in its widest sense. We do this to promote a life of dignity, respect, choice, and independence. This includes access to our built and natural environment and access to the same opportunities as enjoyed by others in our communities. And it extends beyond physical access to include access to:

• information,

• inclusive communication, and

• decision-making in policy making and community activities.

DES staff are passionate about disability equality, and their expertise and knowledge support our work across Scotland, and beyond.

The Communications and Membership Lead is a senior role responsible for developing and delivering DES’ communications, marketing and membership strategies to raise the organisation’s profile, strengthen engagement with our members and stakeholders, and support the growth and sustainability of the organisation.

Reporting directly to the CEO, and working with colleagues across the organisation, the postholder will lead all internal and external communications, oversee marketing of the organisation’s services, develop meaningful engagement with DES members, and provide strategic oversight of our Easy Read service.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the postholder will contribute to organisational planning, performance, business development and continuous improvement, ensuring that accessibility, inclusion and the voices of disabled people underpin all communications and engagement activities.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to being disability confident and an employer of choice irrespective of race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, or pregnancy and maternity. The ethical and business case of ensuring that our workforce is representative of wider society is at the heart of what we do. When we are recruiting, disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment.

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: Communications and Membership Officer

Application notes

How to Apply

Visit our website to find out more and apply

Closing date 12pm, Monday 14 September 2026

To apply, complete the Application Form, the Disclosure Form, and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form and return all three by email to recruitment@disabilityequality.scot, or you can post them to:

Recruitment

Disability Equality Scotland

Norton Park

57 Albion Road

Edinburgh

EH7 5QY

If you would like to discuss accessibility requirements or need information in an alternative format, please contact our Recruitment Team by email at recruitment@disabilityequality.scot

Please clearly indicate whether you wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme (guaranteed interview for disabled people who meet the essential criteria).

Use the Job Description and Person Specification to highlight your experience. Please note, no candidate will meet every single essential and/or desired requirement. If your experience looks a little different from what we’ve identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you. We welcome applications from candidates who are passionate about disability equality.

Shortlisting and Interviews

The closing date for applications is 12pm, Monday 14 September 2026. We will review all applications and create a shortlist of suitable candidates that week.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview during the week of 21 September 2026.

Please let us know any times that you are not available during this week and if you have any support requirements to participate in virtual calls.