Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Glasgow (Hybrid)
Responsible to: Board of Trustees
Contract: Full Time, Open Contract
Salary: £58,000-65,000 pa
Closing Date: Monday 2 February 2026
About Us
The Bridges Programmes is a third sector organisation dedicated to supportingrefugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and anyone for whom English is a second language, supporting their social, educational, and economic integration in Glasgow. We deliver employability programmes, English forSpeakers ofOtherLanguages (ESOL)courses, and accredited training, working in partnership with local communities, employers, and service providers.
We areseekinga dynamic, compassionate, and visionary leader to guide our organisation through its next chapter — sustaining our impact, strengthening our financial resilience, deepening our reach and partnership working, and evolving our services to meet changing needs.
Purpose of the Role
The CEO will lead, manage, and develop The Bridges Programme, ensuring its sustainability, growth, and relevance, while upholding our values and commitment to inclusion, equality and opportunity.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategic Development
* Provide inspirational leadership and clear vision in partnership with the Board, staff, and stakeholders.
* Champion our mission to support refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and ESOL learners in achieving integration and independence.
* Develop and deliver strategic actions, identifying new opportunities around external funding, growth and innovation.
* Lead the development of employability support programmes, ESOL provision, and other accredited training.
* Build and sustain strategic partnerships with external organisations, funders, and community groups.
* Act as the organisation’s primary spokesperson and media contact.
* Oversee project management for all new initiatives, working closely with the Board on development strategies.
Fundraising & Financial Management
* Oversee diverse income streams and proactively secure new funding opportunities.
* Lead financial planning to ensure sustainability.
* Ensure all funding reports and evaluations are completed accurately and on time.
Governance & Compliance
* Serve as Company Secretary, ensuring compliance with governance requirements.
* Provide regular financial and operational reports to the Board and funding partners.
Human Resources
* Ensure compliance with employment legislation and best practice.
* Recruit, develop, and inspire staff, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration.
* Oversee performance management, supervision, and annual reviews.
* Champion equality, diversity, and fairness in all aspects of staff management.
Service Quality & Development
* Lead evaluation and quality assurance to evidence impact and maintain high standards.
* Ensure effective systems for service delivery, including data management, referrals, and safeguarding.
* Identify gaps in provision and develop new services in response to community needs.
Other Duties
* Undertake additional responsibilities as required to sustain and develop the organisation.
Person Specification
Experience & Skills
* At least 5 years’ relevant professional leadership experience.
* Demonstrable success in organisational management, project delivery, and team leadership.
* Strong influencing skills, ideally including experience engaging with government or policy stakeholders.
* Proven ability to adapt to changing contexts and lead through periods of change.
* Excellent networking, negotiating, and relationship-building skills.
* Understanding of employability challenges for people far from the labour market.
* Experience in public procurement and securing funding.
* Strong financial management skills with experience in budgeting, reporting, and compliance.
* Excellent communication skills — able to convey ideas clearly in writing and verbally.
* Strategic thinker with strong planning, organisational, and risk management abilities.
Sector Knowledge
* Significant experience in the third, public, or private sector.
* Clear understanding of the refugee, asylum, and migrant support sector.
* Clear understanding of employability issuesfor migrant andethnic minoritycommunitiesin Scotland/UK.
* Knowledge of challenges facing the third sector and strategies for sustainability.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
We thrive through embracing differences — whether they be social backgrounds, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We know that diversity opens rich potential for new ways of thinking and strengthens our work.
We want you to perform at your best at every stage of our recruitment process. If you require adjustments or support, please contact Kathleen Caskie.
What It’s Like to Work Here
At The Bridges Programme, you’ll join a passionate, committed team who believe in making a real difference. We value collaboration, creativity, and compassion. Every day brings opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute to life-changing outcomes for the people we support.
Applications by CV and covering letter
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