Top job! DYW Programme Director: Maternity Cover
- Full time
- £61,500
- On site: Edinburgh
- Closing 18th May 2026
- Advertised from 29th April 2026
Role
Developing the Young Workforce, Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian are hiring!
Contract: 35 Hours per week, one year maternity cover contract to start August 2026.
'Young people are key to our future economic success so it is crucial we do as much as we can to prepare them for the world of work and open up job opportunities for all’
We are looking for a dynamic leader to support our employer-led team and programme of work to deliver impact for all involved.
If you would thrive in a role where:
- You are translating national policy into local action to have impact on the ground
- Partnership and collaboration sits at the heart of planning
- Change is constant and you can lead a team successfully through this
- Your team are making great things happen for young people in education
- Innovation is harnessed
- You are presenting and communicating with senior leaders in education and business
- Internal and external communication are critical
And some of the day-to-day expectations that comes with this...
- Leading the geographically dispersed team across Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian
- Reporting on activities and progress to the Board and grant funders
- Managing a communications strategy
- Being part of a solution-focused community of partners, employers and educators
- Budget planning and management
If you are:
- Strategically, economically and politically aware
- Passionate about leading change so young people are Informed, Inspired and Hired
- Organised, a planner, creative and innovative problem solver
- A strong communicator, networker and influencer
We would love to hear from you!
The role is classed as ‘Regulated Work’ so a Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) membership is required (application to the scheme will be made by us upon conditional offer of the post).
Application notes
Download the full Job Description or view this at dyw.scot/eme.html.
Application by email to recruitment@edinburghchamber.co.uk with CV and Cover Letter by Monday 18th May at 12 noon.
The anticipated start date for this role will be Monday 3rdAugust, with first stage interviews planned to take place w/c 1stJune 2026.
Applications are encouraged from all and applicants will not be excluded on the grounds of sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race, marital status, disability, age, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
Candidates who consider themselves to be disabled in terms of the Equality Act 2010, and who meet the essential minimum criteria for the post, will be guaranteed an interview. Please make us aware in the email application. We will also ensure that we consider and implement any reasonable adjustments a candidate may require to attend for interview or during the course of employment, should they be successful in securing a post.
In the current circumstances working from home may be required.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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This is a newly created role, with responsibility for financial management owned previously by the Executive Director, supported by the Head of Finance & Operations. In the refreshed structure operational and finance functions are separated.
The purpose of this role is to ensure the organisation is financially sustainable, well-governed, and able to deliver its mission effectively. You will lead the financial management of the organisation, ensuring robust financial control, high-quality reporting, and effective financial planning to support strategic decision-making and long-term sustainability. This is a hands-on, collaborative role in a busy team, spanning both strategic and operational finance.
Top job! Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Full time
- £55,000 – £65,000
- On site: Edinburgh with some travel within the UK
- Closing 14th July 2026
Are you a strategic leader with a passion for delivering meaningful impact? We’re looking for an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to help lead Deaf Action through its next stage of growth, ensuring our services, people, and operations are positioned to deliver lasting change for Deaf communities. Could that be you?
Deaf Action is a Deaf-led charity, supporting and celebrating Deaf people since 1835. We work with Deaf people across Scotland and the South of England, empowering individuals to achieve their potential and fully participate in society with equality of rights, access and opportunity.
Through a range of charitable and commercial services, Deaf Action provides support, access, education, communication services and opportunities that improve the lives of Deaf people. We are committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering high-quality services that create lasting impact.
Role purpose
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic and operational leadership across Deaf Action, ensuring the organisation delivers high-quality, integrated services in line with its mission, values, and business plan.
Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the COO will be responsible for translating strategy into effective operational delivery, driving organisational performance, commercial growth, and long-term sustainability. The COO provides leadership across service delivery, operational systems, performance management, and organisational development, ensuring Deaf Action operates efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with its strategic objectives.
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across Deaf Action, ensuring high-quality, efficient, and sustainable service delivery.
- Contribute to the growth and development of Deaf Action’s commercial services, helping to maximise income and long-term sustainability.
- Work closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team to translate organisational strategy into effective operational plans and outcomes.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure services and operations align with Deaf Action’s mission, values, and commitment to Deaf-led practice and accessibility.
- Lead major organisational projects and cross-functional initiatives, ensuring successful delivery and integration across services.
- Support financial sustainability through effective budgeting, resource management, and oversight of commercial activities.
- Establish robust reporting and accountability frameworks, ensuring clear performance information is available to the CEO and Board.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, funders, stakeholders, and external agencies, representing Deaf Action where required.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement across the organisation, ensuring that services remain responsive to the needs of Deaf communities.
Person specification
Essential:
- Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role, leading complex, multi-service or multi-department organisations.
- Demonstrable success in commercial income generation, organisational growth or change management.
- Strong strategic planning, operational management, and decision-making capability.
- Experience developing and managing high-performing teams.
- Experience implementing performance management systems and reporting frameworks.
- Strong understanding of core organisational functions, including operations, finance, HR, and service delivery.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
- Commitment to Deaf Action’s mission, values, accessibility, and inclusion.
Desirable:
- Experience working within the third sector, public service, or mission-led organisations,
- Understanding of Deaf communities and Deaf-led organisations.
- Experience working within the care or support service sector.
- Knowledge of accessible service delivery and inclusive practice.
- British Sign Language (BSL) skills or willingness to develop skills.
What’s on offer?
- Occupational pension scheme with employer contributions of 6%
- 32 days leave pro rata (inc bank holidays)
- 24/7 access to an Employee Assistance Programme provided by Health Assured
- In-house Mental Health First Aiders
- Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and IT Voucher Scheme
- Ongoing support for learning and development through our PDR process
Newbattle Abbey College is Scotland’s life-changing adult education college, offering extensive support to adults and young people at points of transition.
The College is set within an historic 16th century building and 125 acres of woodland and parkland in Midlothian, on the site of the original Abbey which dates back to the 12th century. The estate was placed in trust by the 11th Marquis of Lothian in 1937 to become an adult residential college – and the Newbattle Abbey College story began.
As one of Scotland’s smallest colleges, Newbattle offers access to further and higher education, primarily in social sciences, rural skills and outdoor education. The College is also the national accreditation centre for two innovative awards: Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards and Adult Achievement Awards.
Background
The post of Business Development Manager is crucial to drive further growth in the College’s commercial activity.
The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing income from a range of activities and identifying and successfully implementing new income streams. You will embrace the College’s purpose and values and will thrive in a dynamic and unique environment. You will have demonstrable experience of setting and achieving growth income targets, developing successful marketing strategies, fundraising and maintaining effective external relationships. You will be highly adaptable and enjoy working as part of a small team to find creative solutions and achieve goals. You will work with a team of committed staff in unrivalled surroundings.
Reporting directly to the Director of Operations, and working closely with the Principal and Depute Principal, you will play a full part in the strategic leadership and direction of the college. You will also have an outward-facing role, supporting our commercial and other strategic partnerships. You will line-manage the newly introduced role of Marketing and Events Officer and work collaboratively across the whole College team.
The Director of Operations for Edinburgh International Book Festival [EIBF] sits at the intersection of programme delivery, organisational management and operational leadership. The role combines events delivery with charity-wide management. This ensures that EIBF runs smoothly, festivals and events happen effectively, and all activity aligns with our charitable objectives and purpose.
The Director of Operations will lead all operational and logistical aspects of the annual Book Festival and year-round programmes. They will ensure effective governance, efficient systems, safe and compliant event delivery, and ensure resources are allocated appropriately to support the charity’s mission to promote engagement with, and enjoyment of, books, writing and ideas. They will manage relationships and contracts with site and production teams, and a range of other key stakeholders and partners. They will own and actively manage policy and systems management in the organisation, including oversight of digital infrastructure, as well as lead the HR function in a busy organisation.
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