Chief Officer
£42,575 – £43,742
Galashiels, with hybrid working
Scottish Borders-wide, with some travel across the locality
The Borders Carers Centre is the only organisation in the Scottish Borders dedicated entirely to supporting unpaid adult carers. With a strong foundation, protected core funding and a compassionate, close-knit team, the Centre delivers vital support services across one of Scotland’s most rural and demographically challenging regions.
Now entering a new chapter in its journey, the organisation is seeking a sensitive, values-led leader to join as its next Chief Officer – someone who can guide the team with care, build on the current strengths, and raise the profile of carers’ voices both locally and nationally.
The Role
Accountable to the Board of Trustees, the Chief Officer will lead the organisation to deliver on its mission and strategy, ensuring that high-quality, person-centred support reaches unpaid carers across the Borders. Working closely with the Team Leader, Training and Development Officer, and Admin/Finance team, they will oversee service delivery, staffing, operations, and development, while providing calm and confident leadership.
This is a people-focused, community-rooted role – requiring emotional intelligence, strategic oversight, and the ability to balance the “family feel” of a small team with the external focus needed to grow the organisation’s visibility and influence.
The Centre is well-regarded in the carer landscape, and recently achieved the Excellence for Carers Award. With a turnover of just over £500k, stable contracts with NHS Borders and the Council, and a proactive fundraising group, the next Chief Officer will inherit a resilient organisation – and a chance to build something even stronger.
Key priorities will include:
* Leading and supporting a committed, values-driven team to deliver high-quality services
* Maintaining and developing external partnerships, including with NHS Borders, local authorities and funders
* Raising the public profile of the organisation and strengthening its voice in strategic spaces
* Providing confident, supportive leadership during a period of transition and growth
* Ensuring sound financial planning and operational sustainability
* Continuing to centre the voices and experiences of carers in all service and strategic decisions
The Person
The Borders Carers Centre is looking for an emotionally intelligent, inclusive leader with a people-first approach. You might come from a background in the third sector, health, social care or a related field – but what matters most is your ability to lead with kindness, clarity and a collaborative spirit.
You’ll bring experience in staff management and service delivery, alongside the confidence to represent the organisation externally. Financial acumen is essential, and you’ll also be someone who is comfortable with change – helping the team evolve in a way that honours their past and embraces the future.
This is a role for someone who is naturally warm, grounded and curious. You don’t need to be a carer yourself, but empathy and understanding of carers’ experiences – whether personal or professional – is highly valued. Familiarity with the Scottish Borders and its culture is a bonus, particularly given the geographical and social context of the role.
You’ll bring:
* Experience in a leadership or management role, ideally in a relevant sector
* Excellent people skills – able to build trust, listen well and lead with care
* Strong financial literacy and experience managing budgets and funder relationships
* A track record of developing partnerships, raising profile and influencing stakeholders
* A calm, steady approach with the confidence to support staff through change
* An interest in innovation and bringing a modern approach to communications and reach
If you’re a compassionate leader looking to make a meaningful difference – and excited by the opportunity to support unpaid carers in one of Scotland’s most unique communities – Borders Carers Centre, we would love to hear from you.
You can contact Lauryn Pringle or Debbie Shields at Aspen People for a confidential discussion about the role on 0141 212 7555.
More information can be found on our dedicated recruitment microsite at:https://www.aspenpeople.co.uk/borders-carers-centre/
Closing date for applications: Friday 6th June 2025
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter(as one document)via the apply button.
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