An unexpected and exciting opportunity has arisen at Scottish Mediation for the key role of Executive Director to lead the organisation. This is a great time to be joining, with mediation playing a more central role in Scottish public life and Scottish Mediation continuing its work supporting excellence in mediation. This unique opportunity is one of the most interesting senior roles in the sector.

Whether in the courts, schools, workplaces and in our communities, mediation has a significant role to play. Scottish Mediation has both led and collaborated with others to drive the uptake of mediation and helping to build a coalition of the willing, is a key part of the Executive Director’s role.

Overview

We now seek an experienced and capable individual with a track record in leadership, strategic engagement and management. You will work with the Board, Staff and Membership of SM to promote mediation in Scotland. SM is also responsible for delivering key projects including the Scottish Mediation Helpline and Mediation in the Complaints Handling Service.

Scottish Mediation (SM) is the umbrella body for Scotland’s network of members and organisations involved in delivering mediation services to the public and private sector in Scotland. It is funded by the Scottish Government’s Justice and Health Directorates.

(SM) is a charity which, promotes the use of mediation and other related forms of conflict resolution. Supports and promotes education, training and research in skills and best practice whilst creating and encouraging links between mediators and Scottish public, private, voluntary and community organisations. Responsible for promoting standards of professional conduct and training.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director will report to the Board of SM and will be responsible for working collaboratively with all other colleagues. The successful candidate will be expected to forge key relationships with SM Office Bearers, SM co-workers, SM Board members, Scottish Government (specifically Justice and Health Directorates), SM Initiative Groups, the Scottish Mediation community whether members or not, other relevant organisations, intermediary organisation in the public and private sector and statutory bodies in Scotland.

The key areas of work are:

• To champion mediation and alternative approaches to conflict in Scotland
• To develop SM’s strategic direction and appropriate business strategies
• To deliver the outcomes agreed by the Board and with funders
• To obtain further funding and make SM financially sustainable
• To ensure that SM’s governance is appropriate
• To manage SM resources, the budget, the staff & the premises

Key Skills for this role:

Strategic

• To provide leadership to SM and be responsible for the management and administration of SM within the strategic and accountability frameworks laid down by the Board.
• Together with the Chair, enable the Board to fulfil its proper governance duties and responsibilities and ensure that the Board receives timely advice and appropriate information on all relevant matters.

Leadership and Management

• Act in partnership with the Board to ensure that SM has a clear vision and a resolute strategic direction in line with its core values and principles.
• Contribute actively to the Board’s role in setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Help to promote the values and ethos of SM.
• Provide leadership, management and professional direction to SM staff and volunteers to deliver services designed around mediation in all its spheres.
• Foster a culture in the SM office, at all its events and in all its activities consistent with the values of the SM; and ensure that that everyone works effectively to promote and maintain a user-friendly and accessible organisation.
• Ensure that open and fair systems are in place for staff recruitment and management.
• Ensure that the SM is compliant with equality and diversity anti-discrimination and disability legislation.
• Ensure that appropriate accommodation and resources are available to SMN staff, Board, members and volunteers for their work to be effective.

Delivery

• Ensure that regular and timely reports on progress on funded tasks are delivered to funders.
• Ensure that promised activity and outcomes are delivered within agreed timescales and if they are not, appropriate timely explanations are given.
• Develop and foster good relationships with government, statutory, voluntary and private bodies.
• Represent SM and mediation at events and in the media.
• Review the external environment for changes that may affect SM and mediation across its various spheres in Scotland; to advise the Board accordingly to take necessary action.

Funding

• Ensure SM’s financial sustainability; which will include working with the Board to produce, review and update:
  • forward & operational plans
  • income generation strategy
  • annual budgets
  • financial management information reports
  • activity and outcome reports
• Meet agreed targets and outcomes of initiatives carried out for the Scottish Government.
• Generate fee income through presentations, workshops and consultancy about mediation.

Governance

• Act as Company Secretary for the Scottish Mediation.
• Together with the Chair, support the Board to fulfil its proper governance duties and responsibilities including:
  • Supporting the Board to ensure that SM has an effective corporate governance structure, appropriate to its size, complexity, stage of development, and its charitable objects.
  • Ensuring that all relevant issues requiring the attention of Board members are brought to the Board.
  • Ensuring that any conflicts of interest of Board members are known and managed.
  • Overseeing the efficient administration of the Board and its business.
  • Helping the Board recruit, train and retain Board members with the skills and knowledge required to govern the SM effectively.
  • Support the Board in achieving the aims of SM; and act as a channel of communication between the Board and staff.
• Report regularly to the Board on progress towards the strategic objectives, forward and operational plans and annual targets.
• Support SM’s compliance with relevant charity and company law as well as any other statutory and regulatory requirements; in addition to internal governance policies.
• Ensure that SM financial dealings are systematically accounted for, audited and publicly available.
• Ensure that SM takes a proportionate approach to risk management.
• Ensure that mediation is considered and offered as an option when disputes, conflicts and differences in any of the activities of the SM.

If you are looking for an interesting new senior role and believe you are ready for a new challenge, then Scottish Mediation would like to hear from you !

About The Neuro Therapy Place

The Neuro Therapy Place provides a therapeutic community hub where people living with neurological conditions can access a wide range of therapies, rehabilitation, wellbeing services, advice and support in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Our services include physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, rehabilitation and wellbeing programmes, complementary therapies, alongside referrals and partnership working with other organisations. We are committed to delivering high quality, person centred services while ensuring the long term sustainability and growth of the charity.

Purpose of the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead our organisation at a pivotal stage in its development. Following a period of significant organisational development and transformation, The Neuro Therapy Place is entering its next phase of growth, focused on sustainability, external partnership development and excellence in service delivery.

We welcome applications from both experienced Chief Executive Officers seeking a new challenge and ambitious senior leaders who are ready to take the next step into executive leadership.

The appointment made will reflect the successful candidate's experience, skills and readiness for the role:

• Experienced CEOs: or candidates with demonstrable CEO-level capability, may be appointed directly as Chief Executive Officer.
• Aspiring CEOs: will be appointed as Chief Executive Officer and supported through a structured succession and development programme.

Experience of working at senior management, Head of Service, Director, CEO or Deputy CEO level would be advantageous.

Transition

As part of the Board's planned succession arrangements, the current Chief Executive Officer will provide a comprehensive leadership transition and organisational handover and will be available for up to three months following the appointment of the successful candidate, providing mentoring, knowledge transfer and strategic support. The duration and level of support will be tailored to the needs of the successful candidate and the organisation.

The salary range of £35,000–£46,500 reflects the breadth of experience, skills and capability we are seeking for this role. The starting salary will be determined based on the successful candidate’s experience, expertise and the level at which they are appointed. Following the successful transition of the outgoing CEO, the Board will undertake a review of your salary. This review will provide an opportunity to discuss your contribution, responsibilities and future role with the organisation, and may result in a salary increase beyond the advertised range. Any changes would be discussed and agreed between you and the Board.

Responsibility for the full range of CEO duties and accountabilities will progressively increase throughout the handover period, with full responsibility for the role transferring upon the departure of the current CEO.

This is a fully onsite leadership role, reflecting the nature of The Neuro Therapy Place’s services, the importance of visible and accessible leadership, and the need to work closely with clients, staff, volunteers and partners. The successful candidate should be comfortable working primarily from our centre as part of the planned leadership transition.

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including enhanced occupational sick pay, enhanced parental leave, life insurance, and access to Edinburgh Leisure gyms at a heavily subsidised rate. These benefits are designed to support the wellbeing, security, and work-life balance of our employees.