Chief executive office jobs in scotland, edinburgh

UK-based/ Colchester or Home-based with monthly travel to Colchester office. Overseas travel with trips lasting from 10-14 days. 

This post requires the candidates to have independent rights to live and work in the UK

Background

Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. Last year we finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.

Job Context

Our Global Strategy marks a significant evolution in our organisational direction, introducing innovative approaches and renewed priorities. This includes our first-ever global Theory of Change (ToC), our most comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to date, a Research and Innovation strategy, and a dedicated Advocacy sub-strategy to guide our influencing efforts.

With the Lepra Advocacy Strategy, we will be working over the next 6 years to strengthen our approaches to our advocacy efforts. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the roll out of the Advocacy strategy working closely with the Director of Programmes and Advocacy, the Head of Research, the Senior Programme Manager, the Programme Officer and the teams where we work.

Job Purpose

This role is an exciting role within the programmes team in response to evolving needs. The incoming post holder will work within the 5 person UK’s Programme and Advocacy team and will drive, advise and support the team in relation to Lepra’s advocacy profile. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, strategic and creative person who has outstanding skills to engage and work with a diverse team. We are looking for someone to work with a clear strategy and then develop, grow and successfully shape the future of Lepra’s advocacy efforts.

Working Relationships

Reports to Lepra UK’s Director of Programmes and Advocacy (DPA)

Works closely with the Programmes and Advocacy Team

Close working links with colleagues in India and in Bangladesh and the UK’s communications team

International travel as needed for programmes oversight and support, and external representation.

Key responsibilities

Advocacy Delivery (50%)

Under the supervision of the DPA implement Lepra’s global Advocacy strategy and coordinate advocacy initiatives.

Serve as the driver of advocacy efforts, facilitating the transitional year of implementation including coordinating the Advocacy Steering Group; advocacy toolkit development; action planning.

Represent Lepra in specific fora and advocacy networks and within the broader leprosy and NTD community in close coordination with the DPA.

Produce quarterly advocacy newsletters

Maintain quarterly reports on flagging areas of concern and actioning steering committee advice.

Assist in the preparation of policy documents and the presentation of papers for publication, conferences, or specific institutions and/or individuals - identifying and targeting the most appropriate audiences.

Support and contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives that foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment across organisational programmes, policies, and advocacy efforts.

Support and contribute to initiatives that promote inclusion and equity, with a strong focus on developing the leadership and advocacy capacity of people with lived experience of leprosy, ensuring their voices are central in decision-making and programme design.

Knowledge management / Learning and Development (20%)

Support the preparation of Lepra advocacy and policy documents.

Disseminate knowledge so that it is integrated into Lepra’s portfolio to amplify the impact for target audiences and improve their outcomes.

Facilitate the new knowledge and learning hub and forge a clear path for its evolution.

Facilitate knowledge sharing through updating the communications team with relevant materials for the new programme folder on the website.

Organise and develop advocacy training.

Develop and take ownership of the new programme’ s team knowledge sharing approaches.

Develop a workplan of knowledge sharing events. 

Support annual review meetings.

Communications (10%)

Assist the programmes team with the documentation of Lepra examples and models of best practice, at the same time identifying and developing mechanisms and avenues for the effective dissemination of this knowledge – internally and externally.

Assist the programmes team, DPO, Chief Executive and Country Programme staff in the synthesis of complex technical/scientific information adapting it to language and formats easily used by target audiences.

Contribute to content development of community engagement materials (public information, brochures, leaflets) that help explain the operations and impact of Lepra’s work to LF and/or leprosy affected communities.

Maintain good working links with Lepra’s UK Fundraising and Communications Team, contributing towards UK facing communications materials as and when required.

Prepare updates, papers, and reports for trustee meetings, funding partners, and wherever else applicable.

External representation (10%)

Support the Chief Executive, DPA and programmes team to maintain and expand existing strategic relationships with key international stakeholders to further Lepra’s advocacy strategy and advance Lepra’s agenda.

Ensure Lepra’s external profile is raised and become the go-to organisation for the leprosy community in terms of advocacy and policy briefings.

Support the preparation of documents for presentation, publication or dissemination at international fora.

Develop/support the development of country specific briefing notes/press kits with the communications team.

Represent Lepra at key events, conferences, and meetings to enhance our visibility and opportunity for impact.

Safeguarding (5%)

Promote a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability within Lepra’s implemented projects.

Ensuring that safeguarding mechanisms are in place and remain at the heart of all activities.

Support the integration of strong safeguarding and PSEA practices into project design and delivery.

Monitoring, evaluation, and impact (5%)

Ensure that all advocacy and knowledge transfer efforts are captured and embedded in appropriate results frameworks, objectives, outputs, indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Provide inputs to Lepra’s reports, according to Lepra’s needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant degree level of education in Public Health, Social Sciences, Global Health, Human Rights, Political Sciences or equivalent experience.

Desirable

Relevant post-graduate qualification

Relevant professional health-related qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Minimum of 2 yrs experience of advocacy/campaigning/policy work with an overseas development organisation

Experience of working to advance the rights of excluded populations

Extensive knowledge of global health issues and an up-to-date familiarity with issues and practice in the international development sector

Experience in planning and implementing successful strategies/campaigns/advocacy in Asia.

Experience in programme/project planning, budgeting, M&E and reporting, within a non-governmental organisation, including the preparation of reports for institutional donors.

Ability to analyse and act on data.

Experience of working on issues in relation to disability, mental health, gender, human rights and social inclusion.

Experience in project coordination and management.

Desirable

At least two years’ experience as an advocacy manager, preferably gained with an overseas development organisation or in academia, in a similar health focused role.

Familiarity with data visualisation tools and packages.

Proficiency in one or more Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, etc.) is an asset.

Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities

Highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal to build strong relationships, negotiate and persuade a wide range of audiences, with confidence at presenting and representing.

Proven strength in both written and verbal communication

Able to reach, network with and communicate to a wide range of stakeholders and potential stakeholders.

Excellent attention to detail, and organisational and time management skills

Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery.

Ability to use databases, Word, excel, PowerPoint and other Office packages

Ability to work independently, be flexible and prioritise workload.

Ability to travel within the UK and overseas.

The right to work in the UK.

We operate a non-bias recruitment process and run our job advertisements through anonymous recruitment methods.

We offer a lot of flexibility in working practices and there is free reserved parking available at our Colchester office. We also offer 26 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rated), pension, Employee Assistance Programme and support from an in-house well-being team.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk mail folder for any email correspondence for this vacancy.

If you require any reasonable considerations such as access or information in an alternative format, please inform us soon as you are able so that we can make the appropriate adjustments.

Please do not use AI to help you write cover letters, CVs and responses to any screening questions.  We want to hear your original voice.

Location: Home or Office based (offices located in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Cardiff) Flexibility required to visit UK offices and teams as needed.
Department: The Big Issue Group
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: 35
Salary: £60,000 per annum

Play a strategic and leading role in the development and delivery of support programmes across Big Issue Changing Live CIC.

Big Issue Changing Lives CIC is looking for a Director for Programmes and Partnerships to lead the development and delivery of national programmes of support across Big Issue Recruit and Street Sales, test new ways of working and develop key partnerships to improve outcomes for people experiencing poverty across the UK.

You will also identify fundraising priorities, build national strategic partnerships, deliver a volunteer programme to improve engagement across local communities and lead on safeguarding across the CIC.

As an individual you will have experience of delivering services to achieve agreed targets, and of generating income to develop and grow these services, have excellent networking skills, possess a good understanding of third-party organizations relating to homelessness, universal credit, mental health, substance abuse and employment, and knowledge of poverty and homelessness issues and the difficulties vulnerably housed people face.

You will enjoy autonomy and working on your initiative, but will also enjoy working as part of a team and be able to create a collaborative and focussed working environment, both within your own department and as a member of the senior management team of the Big Issue Group. Therefore you will be someone who leads by example, demonstrates strong leadership and can be a role model showing the organization’s values through your own behaviour.

For a full list of key responsibilities and tasks, cores skills and experiences required as well as a background to the Big Issue Group and a full list of Staff Benefits - please see the Job Pack below.

Salary and Benefits offered

• Salary - £60,000 per annum.
• Incremental holiday entitlement starting at 25 days per year plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time staff) plus paid leave to care for a sick child or grandchild and a sick or elderly relation
• Company Sick Pay
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Training and development opportunities including an open learning library and management training schemes
• Health benefits include life cover, a health cash plan scheme which provides access to counselling and a range of therapies
• Access to Blue Light Card benefits scheme.
• Please note that we reserve the right to review and amend our staff benefits and they do not form part of any contract of employment

Workplace details

The role can be home or office based (offices located in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Bristol, Cardiff) but will involve nationwide travel visiting teams and offices across the UK.

Closing date - 05th October 2025 (23:59pm) - Interviews will be held in person at our London Head office in the week beginning 13th October and will involve a presentation and question and answer discussion session.

Big Issue Group is striving towards Equal Opportunities. We particularly welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our sector, such as women in senior roles, and people with disabilities and from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

Since 1991, the Big Issue has fought poverty by creating opportunities and supporting people to take control of their lives. Over time our organisation has grown and now the Big Issue Group consists of the Big Issue Media Ltd, Big Issue Invest Ltd, our social investment arm, and Big Issue Impact Ltd.

Benefits: As well as a salary commensurate with our sector, we are proud of our family-friendly staff benefits. We offer 3 days paid leave in a rolling year to care for a sick child or grandchild, 3 days paid leave in a rolling year to care for a sick or elderly relative, an incremental holiday scheme, life cover, a healthcare cash plan, access to an open learning library and other learning & development opportunities, an enhanced contribution into our workplace pension and a generous maternity package. We particularly welcome applicants from those who are underrepresented, such as women in senior roles such as this, disabled people and people from Black and Minority Ethnic communities.

REF-224 049

National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) is looking for a new Director to lead our national network and champion rural arts across the UK. We’re seeking an inspiring leader with a collaborative approach to advocate for our members and sector, to strengthen partnerships and support a vibrant network that ensures creativity and culture thrive in every community.

About NRTF

NRTF is an Investment Principles Support Organisation (IPSO) within Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio. As a national membership and strategic organisation, we unite and champion the diverse parts of the rural touring sector. We advocate on behalf of our members, offering up-to-date information, advice, guidance, professional development and networking opportunities. By sharing news, stories and opportunities, supporting rural touring-focused projects and initiatives, and through our Annual National Rural Touring Conference, we raise the profile of rural touring, embedding its value in the wider cultural landscape. We celebrate the work and achievements of the volunteer promoters, professional artists and organisations who make culture accessible for rural communities. This is an exciting moment to join NRTF as we enter our third decade as an organisation and continue building the profile and impact of rural touring across the UK, while supporting the passionate and committed members at the heart of our network.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Director is the strategic and operational lead of NRTF, responsible for the organisation’s vision, management, performance, and long-term sustainability. They ensure delivery against NRTF’s mission and business plan, champion rural touring at a national level, and act as the primary liaison with Arts Council England, stakeholders, and the wider sector. Working closely with a proactive Board of Trustees, the Director provides leadership on governance and compliance in line with UK Charity Law and NRTF’s Articles of Association, ensuring the organisation operates with transparency, accountability and good practice. The Director is a visible ambassador for rural touring, building strong relationships across the cultural sector, advocating for members, and promoting the role of rural touring in ensuring that creativity and culture thrive in every community.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

● Lead and implement NRTF’s Business Plan and strategic objectives.

● Oversee the delivery and evaluation of all funded programmes and initiatives.

● Develop and sustain relationships with our members, including the rural touring schemes, national and regional stakeholders, funders, and policy-makers.

● Ensure alignment with ACE’s Investment Principles and “Let’s Create” strategy.

● Ensure long-term sustainability through innovation, partnerships, and appropriate diversification, ensuring the organisation remains relevant and forward-thinking.

Finance and Fundraising

● Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting in collaboration with the Finance Officer and Treasurer.

● Ensure ACE and funder reporting is accurate and timely.

● Lead on developing new funding opportunities, working with colleagues and freelance support to secure income from trusts, foundations and diversification streams.

Membership and Sector Support

● Foster strong relationships with membership, particularly scheme members.

● Understand and respond to member needs, ensuring services and benefits are relevant.

● Foster a strong member community through events, forums, and networking opportunities.

● Together with the NRTF team, design and deliver initiatives to grow, engage, and retain members.

● Represent NRTF and advocate for member interests at national and international events, conferences, and sector forums.

Project and Event Delivery

● Provide strategic oversight of all NRTF projects, ensuring they are well-managed, impactful and aligned with the business plan.

● Lead and represent NRTF at the Annual National Rural Touring Conference and other national events, with project managers and freelance teams responsible for delivery.

● Foster partnerships with schemes and sector organisations to co-create and deliver events and projects that serve members and raise the profile of rural touring.

Communications and Advocacy

● Provide strategic leadership for NRTF’s communications and advocacy, ensuring consistency of voice and alignment with the business plan.

● Lead sector advocacy and act as spokesperson and ambassador for rural touring.

● Maintain and develop national visibility for rural touring through partnerships, media opportunities and press engagement (with support from NRTF’s freelance press agency).

● Oversee delivery of marketing and communications, working with the Marketing & Digital Coordinator to manage campaigns, content and social media.

● Build strategic partnerships with other organisations, funders, and influencers.

HR and Operations

● Lead on recruitment, contracting, staff management, and HR policy implementation.

● Line-manage employed staff, ensuring fair and effective working conditions.

● Manage Contracts for Services for freelance teams and contractors

● Maintain organisational infrastructure, including IT, office resources.

Governance and Legal

● Support and develop the Board of Trustees, ensuring sound governance practices.

● Organise and service Board meetings, the AGM, and working groups.

● Act as Company Secretary: ensure compliance with charity and company law, maintain registers, and submit returns.

Person Specification

Essential

● Proven senior leadership within arts or cultural organisations.

● Commitment to rural/community engagement.

● Strong understanding of the UK arts funding landscape, especially ACE.

● Demonstrable experience in finance, HR, governance, and fundraising.

● Experience in project delivery.

● Strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills.

● Experience of working and engaging with key stakeholders.

● Experience working with or supporting a Board of Trustees.

● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

● Evidence of original thinking, idea making and bold ambition.

● Caring and positive leadership style.

Desirable

● Awareness of the ethos, principles and practice of rural touring.

● Knowledge of community arts and engagement, and/or cultural networks.

● Experience in legal compliance and company secretary responsibilities.

● Understanding of contemporary cultural policy and advocacy.

● Experience in digital communications, social media, and PR.

● Experience in event management and programming.

If you are excited by this role but are not sure if you fully meet the person specification, we encourage you to reach out to our Interim Head of Operations, Jo Purseglove to discuss further.

About the role

Kids Cancer Charity have been supporting children affected by cancer from all over the UK since 1989.  Life changes when a child is diagnosed with cancer, every aspect of their life and that of their family is thrown into turmoil.  We offer support through our care breaks and Play Therapy during treatment and beyond.

We are looking for a passionate, talented Trusts and Foundations Manager to join our ambitious, successful Fundraising team that has been growing year-on-year since 1989 as we approach our new fundraising strategy.

Role summary and purpose

This role is responsible for managing and developing the charity’s portfolio of Trusts and Foundations, securing significant gifts and growing the long-term potential of this portfolio.  There are no direct reports, however the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the General Manager, to build and develop cases for support to help fund our much-needed work.

The successful candidate will utilise their expert writing skills to shape those cases for support into compelling, high-quality proposals and reports.

Building relationships with a wide range of audiences including funders is key. Inspiring them to support families affected by cancer across the UK.

A dynamic, self-motivated, ambitious and pro-active fundraiser is required for this role, demonstrating enthusiasm for the projects and services we are seeking funds to support.

About you

The ideal candidate for this role will have experience and a proven track record of successful income generation and delivering against targets.

You will have demonstratable experience in researching potential Trust funders, submitting compelling proposals, securing funding and project managing successful bids through to completion of the grant award.

You will also have a background in report writing and demonstrating grant impact whilst being able to build relationships with funders, individual/major donors and senior stakeholders.

Experience of providing excellent supporter care, building mutually beneficial long-term relationships with funders is a must for this role.

Key responsibilities

Research and process management

· Work closely with our General Manager and fundraising team to fully understand our work, and the costs of delivering our work.

· Build strong cases for support, ensuring that you have all the information needed to create compelling proposals and reports for high and mid-value funders.

· Research and identify prospective trusts and foundations and other grant giving bodies.

· Grow and maintain a strong trust funding pipeline, creating new trust prospects for our priority funding areas.

· Develop our long-term trusts and foundations strategy and agree ongoing budgets and targets for this income stream.

· Maintain accurate records including tracking and analysing opportunities, results, and outcomes.

Fundraising 

· Identify and manage a pipeline of high-value prospects and opportunities which have the potential to deliver five- and six-figure grants.

.         Oversee the Trusts Team in delivering to develop and deliver persuasive and timely funding applications.

· Develop relationships with staff members and other key stakeholders across the charity maximising every opportunity for cultivation and development.

· Plan and organise opportunities for funders to view Kids Cancers Charity’s work first-hand, ensuring all safeguarding procedures are followed and met.

Reporting

· Compile comprehensive and compelling progress reports to feed back to grant makers in a timely fashion and incentivise continued support.

· Alongside the General Manager prepare accurate budgets detailing spending of specific grants.

· Draw down on any multi-year grants as outlined in our annual budget.

· Provide briefing notes and income pipeline on donor activities and potential funding opportunities.

As our Relationship Fundraiser you'll work with colleagues, Trustees, and supporters to explore the relationships they hold, and how they can add value to our mission.You’ll undertake prospect identification, research, and plan approaches to develop relationships with, and income from, corporate and individual supporters.You’ll play a key role in creating and managing relationships within the engineering community, raising funds for, and awareness of, the vital support we provide for people when life becomes challenging.We find creative ways of working as a team and look to showcase the individual talents and personalities that people bring to their role.

Urban Saints (formally known as Crusaders) equips youth leaders to disciple young people in today's changing world. Our vision is to see every young person given the opportunity to explore faith, wherever they are.

About the role

As our Support Care Coordinator, you will be the friendly and professional first point of contact for our valued Crusaders Associates, those who have been on the journey with Urban Saints since we were known as Crusaders. You’ll play a key role in delivering exceptional supporter experiences. Your work will help continue and build lasting relationships that inspire ongoing support for our mission from those who have journeyed with us over many years.

You'll be responsible for:

• Responding to associate enquiries via phone, email, and post in a timely, warm, and professional manner, with empathy and attention to detail throughout.
• Listening and responding to the needs of each supporter, understanding their motivations and experiences to foster long-term relationships.
• Developing a programme to regularly thank donors for their support.
• Ensuring supporters feel valued and appreciated.
• Maintaining accurate supporter records on our CRM system, ensuring compliance with GDPR.
• Working closely with the Head of Development to ensure consistent messaging and supporter journeys.

Location

The role is home-based with regular travel required to visit supporters and to supporter events across the UK.

Please note, it's a requirement of the role that you have a UK driving licence and access to a car.

About You

We’re looking for a compassionate and highly organised individual who excels in building meaningful relationships and delivering exceptional supporter care. You will have experience of working with supporters, or in a donor relations role, and be an excellent communicator. 

This post is subject to an Occupational Requirement that the post holder is a committed Christian under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

How to Apply

Please fill out our application form which you can find on our website. The closing date for applications is Friday the 24th of October at Midday.