Chief Executive Officer
St. Andrew's Children's Society Location: Edinburgh Contract: Full-time
Salary: £66,541 - £76,494
Closing Date: 28.04.26
About Us
St. Andrew's Children's Society is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through high‑quality adoption and fostering services. We are committed to delivering compassionate, professional, and child‑centred support across all aspects of our work.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the organisation's strategic direction, operational excellence, and long‑term sustainability. The CEO will drive innovation in family placement services, strengthen our financial position, and champion a positive, inclusive organisational culture.
Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the CEO will represent the Society externally, ensure outstanding service delivery, and position the organisation as a forward‑thinking leader in children’s social care.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
* Lead the development and execution of the Society's long‑term vision and strategy.
* Identify opportunities and respond proactively to developments in children’s social care, particularly in adoption and fostering.
* Demonstrate a strong record of delivering professional, child‑focused services.
Financial Performance
* Oversee profit and loss, cash flow, and capital allocation.
* Drive sustainable income growth while maintaining integrity and transparency.
* Ensure financial resilience in a changing external environment.
Stakeholder & Market Engagement
* Serve as the organisation's ambassador to service users, partners, and the media.
* Build strong, trusted relationships through clear and credible communication.
People & Culture Leadership
* Develop and support a high‑performing leadership team with effective succession planning.
* Foster a culture of accountability, openness, inclusion, and innovation.
* Promote staff development and engagement across the organisation.
Operational & Digital Excellence
* Ensure consistently high‑quality service delivery across all teams.
* Strengthen governance, quality assurance, and operational systems.
* Lead digital transformation, including the use of AI‑enabled tools to enhance service efficiency and insight.
Required Experience & Qualifications
* Proven senior leadership experience within the adoption or fostering sector.
* Strong understanding of financial management and realistic budget setting.
* Recognised social work qualification.
* Management training to at least SVQ Level 5.
Key Competencies
* Visionary leadership with the ability to inspire and influence.
* High emotional intelligence and cultural awareness.
* Decisive, solutions‑focused, and adaptable under pressure.
* Exceptional communication and mediation skills.
* Innovative mindset with openness to new technologies and approaches.
Success Measures
* Year‑on‑year revenue and margin growth.
* High service‑user satisfaction.
* Low staff turnover.
* Consistently positive Care Inspectorate reports.
Benefits
* Competitive salary.
* Membership of Lothian Pension Fund
* Opportunity to lead a progressive, impactful children's charity.
* 32 days' annual leave (plus six public holidays).
* Professional development support.
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