Lead a small organisation making a big difference across Ayrshire

The opportunity

Are you an experienced, values-led leader who wants to help people have greater choice and control over their lives?

The Community Brokerage Network is looking for a new Operations Manager to lead our small, committed team and help shape the next stage of our development. Working across Ayrshire, we provide free, independent brokerage support to people navigating Self-directed Support and an increasingly challenging social care system.

This is a varied and influential role for someone who can combine strategic thinking with practical, hands-on leadership. You will work closely with our Board, lead and support our staff team, oversee funded services and organisational systems, build strong partnerships and ensure the voices and experiences of the people we support remain at the heart of everything we do.

About us

For 12 years, CBN has helped disabled people, unpaid carers and others who need social care to understand their rights, explore their options and plan support that works for them. We believe in independent living, inclusion and finding creative solutions that build on people’s strengths, relationships and communities.

We are entering an important period of development. Demand for our support is growing, the social care environment is changing rapidly and a new funding cycle is approaching. We are looking for someone who can provide confident leadership now while helping CBN develop new opportunities and build a sustainable future.

What you’ll do

• Lead the day-to-day management and development of CBN.
• Work with the Board to turn strategy into practical plans and effective delivery.
• Lead, support and develop our staff team and promote a positive organisational culture.
• Oversee service quality, referrals, complex practice issues and organisational systems.
• Manage budgets, funding agreements, monitoring and impact reporting.
• Develop strong funding applications and identify new income and partnership opportunities.
• Maintain effective governance, compliance, risk and health and safety arrangements.
• Represent CBN and build strong relationships with Health and Social Care Partnerships, funders and third-sector partners.
• Use evidence and lived experience to contribute to wider discussions about Self-directed Support and social care.

About you

You do not need to have done this exact job before. You will, however, need experience of leading people and services, sound organisational judgement and the confidence to manage a broad remit within a small organisation.

You will be comfortable moving between Board reports, staff support, funding applications, budgets, partnership meetings and practical operational issues. You will share our commitment to human rights, inclusion and person-led support, and you will understand the importance of combining challenge with constructive relationships.

Knowledge of Self-directed Support and Scotland’s social care landscape would be valuable. We would also welcome applicants who bring strong transferable leadership experience and are ready to learn.

What we offer

• A home-based role with flexibility in how your working week is organised.
• 35 days’ annual leave, inclusive of public holidays.
• A 5% employer pension contribution, subject to scheme rules.
• The opportunity to lead a respected, values-driven organisation and influence its future direction.
• A planned handover with the current Operations Manager, subject to the successful candidate’s start date.

Contract and funding

The post is currently funded to 31 March 2027. CBN has maintained continuous funding since it was established 12 years ago, and applications for the next funding period and other income sources will form an important part of the role. While continued funding cannot be guaranteed, the Board is committed to pursuing a sustainable future for the organisation.

Travel and other requirements

Regular travel across North, South and East Ayrshire is required, including to some rural locations that are not well served by public transport. A driving licence and access to a vehicle are therefore normally required, although we will consider reasonable alternatives that allow the full requirements of the role to be met.

Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events, meetings or conferences. The successful applicant will also be required to join the appropriate PVG Scheme and complete a three-month probationary period.

Purpose: You’ll play a key role in supporting Laura’s work across numerous areas in South Scotland, including rural areas. By researching local and national issues, spotting what matters most, and communicating effectively,you’ll help engage constituents and stakeholders. You willalso build practical experience in research, communications, campaigning, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Producing materials that effectively convey Laura’s work to constituents and local media.
• Keeping up to date with current media developments.
• Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups.
• Assisting with high-quality press briefings, speeches, presentations and written materials.
• Creating compelling narratives that tell the story of Laura’s work and empower constituents to engage with the work of Parliament.
• Identifying potential media opportunities.
• Identifying key regional events and activities, in turn promoting my work.
• Maintaining information systems to support communications.
• Contributing towards the management of Laura’s social media accounts, including posting high quality, accessible content on a regular basis
• Drafting and posting social media content to update constituents on my parliamentary activities.
• Reviewing social media trends and briefing me on issues of relevance to my parliamentary role.
• Gathering and distributing valuable data that supports my activities.
• Keeping your knowledge of local issues up to date.
• Carrying out strategic research projects.
• Obtaining and compiling relevant research documents from external stakeholders.
• Preparing and delivering regular briefings and updates.
• Analysing, evaluating and interpreting data and statistics.
• Implementing strategic goals and developing campaign priorities.
• Confirming deliverables are met.
• Supporting wider team administrative work.
• Supporting the wider administration of the office, including diary management and correspondence with stakeholders in the region and areas of policy interest to Laura.
• Accompanying the MSP on meetings and visits in the region, taking notes, photographs and videos as needed.
• Organisation of regional visits, events and in-person meetings across South Scotland.

Essential Requirements

• Have an interest in politics with the confidence to represent Laura and her work in a compelling way.
• Be capable in monitoring media developments and sourcing information from a range of channels.
• Have flexibility using relevant IT skills and writing styles, covering both press and social media.
• Be creative in communicating over a range of formats on different media platforms.
• Have the creativity and expertise to produce accurate and influential work.
• Have analytical skills with the ability to identify and investigate trends while interpreting data.
• Be a quick learner with the ability to multitask and work within tight timescales.
• Be able to respond flexibly and creatively to range of requests, such as media enquiries and press releases.
• Be a proactive problem solver with the motivation and resilience to adapt and deal with challenges.
• Have excellent organisational skills and an ability to multi-task in a fast-paced working environment.
• Have an understanding of South Scotland and the challenges and opportunities offered in representing this region.
• We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose backgrounds and career trajectories may be under-represented in politics.

Purpose of the role: You’ll be a key link between Laura Moodie MSP and the people of South Scotland, helping constituents find support with a range of issues, from housing and health to local services. By managing casework, handling sensitive information responsibly, and spotting common concerns, you’ll help ensure local voices are heard and acted on.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the management of regional casework and responding to enquiries from constituents.
• Tracking and logging issues raised by constituents using the online caseworker system.
• Responding to constituents’ enquiries on a wide range of issues, including those of a sensitive nature and escalating accordingly.
• Advocating on constituents’ behalf with relevant bodies to resolve matters.
• Keeping constituent records and documentation in line with casework GDPR requirements.
• Supporting the wider administration of the office, including diary management and correspondence with stakeholders in the region and areas of policy interest to the MSP.
• Coordination of meetings and visits, accompanying the MSP to take a note of meetings as required.
• Provide administrative support on research projects and policy work.

Essential Requirements

• Excellent organisational skills while being flexible in prioritising workloads during busy times.
• Strong communication skills, responding with empathy to people who may be in distress.
• The ability to work effectively with colleagues to deliver on the priorities of the team.
• Being comfortable in a front-facing role, sometimes explaining legal rules, processes and systems to members of the general public.
• Awareness of the responsibilities entailed when representing those unable to advocate for themselves in certain situations.
• An interest in helping people and a curiosity to probe for further information where required.
• Respect for confidentiality and discretion in dealing with sensitive issues.
• An understanding of the specific challenges and issues facing constituents in the South Scotland region.
• We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates whose backgrounds and career trajectories may be under-represented in politics.

For any questions about the role please contact: cameron.garrett@Parliament.scot