About us We’ve been in existence for 35 years, starting as a small community support organisation, and then the social care arm of Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association, and latterly Places for People Scotland Care & Support. In 2018, we became a separate legal entity, and in 2024 we re-branded to Care Support Scotland. We are nearing the end of a whole-scale transformation of the organisation, which has seen a significant investment in learning and practice development, technology and infrastructure, property and facilities, and ways of working across teams. We employ 300 staff, and we have ambitions to continue to expand our operations further. Our annual turnover is forecast to reach just under £10m in 2025/26. At present, we provide services across broad categories of social care: Learning Disability and Neurodiversity Older Age Care Homelessness, Prevention and Housing Support Mental Health Substance use. These services are delivered across Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian. We plan to expand into new local authorities over the next strategic plan cycle. We work with people 16. We operate core and cluster support services and supported living services for people with a learning disability or who are neurodivergent, or who have a physical disability or mental health need. We also deliver older age care services, including day opportunity provision. We deliver temporary and emergency accommodation services and tenancy support services. Our Corporate Services teams represent 4% of the workforce. It is a lean directorate, but highly efficient and effective, and is instrumental to our success. We are digitally modern, with highly capable team members who partner with Services colleagues to ensure we deliver high quality care and support, and that the organisation has the correct balance between charitable purpose and business sustainability and acumen. Role Description The Director of Corporate Services & Governance is a business-critical senior leadership role that oversees the delivery of high-quality and efficient services in the areas of Finance & Resources, People & Culture, Shared Services, Digital, Governance & Risk Management. The Director is responsible for ensuring that the culture across Corporate Services and the wider organisation is based on our values, that distributed leadership is embedded and championed, and that teams are supported to develop and thrive. The Director ensures the organisation has robust systems and processes in place to support its strategic objectives and to comply with its statutory obligations. They will also lead the development and implementation of strategic plans, policies, and procedures to support the organisation's vision and mission. Duties and Responsibilities Leadership and Management Actively participate in the Senior Leadership Team and support the organisation’s objectives and aims. Provide strategic leadership and direction to the teams, ensuring compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements. Be the executive lead for the formulation of the Corporate Strategy, Business Plan, and Performance Management Framework. Develop and drive a culture of continuous improvement and excellent service provision. Financial Management Ensure efficient financial operations in accordance with policies, regulations, and statutory requirements. Oversee the preparation of the organisation’s budget and ensure performance monitoring of management accounts and long-term financial planning. Oversee treasury management activities and ensure compliance with financial reporting requirements. Digital Ensure the organisation has robust processes to maintain the integrity and security of the ICT network and effective disaster recovery plans. Develop and coordinate an ongoing ICT strategy to meet business needs. Shared Services Ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulations and Freedom of Information requirements. Act as the Data Protection Officer for the organisation. Responsible for organisational procurement and ensure value for money and efficiency across the organisation. Take strategic responsibility for Health and Safety, ensuring outsourced contractors maintain high quality of provision and business operations are safe, risk assessed and adhere to legislation. Ensure the organisation has the appropriate business continuity plans in place and that these are reviewed regularly. People & Culture Responsible for the development and implementation of people strategies that enshrine our values and ensure compliance with employment law. Lead our talent identification and recruitment strategy, ensuring teams are supported, informed and confident in attracting and retaining the talent we need to deliver and grow. Ensure the satisfactory management of complex employee relations issues on behalf of the SLT and ensure accurate HR performance reporting from the People team. Use management information to understand and inform others about the internal working environment, engage proactively in addressing employee or culture challenges that may impact the organisation’s strategy and lead the team to develop timely plans to address. Partnership Working Proactively engage in partnership working to enhance the organisation's reputation. Represent the organisation within the wider community and sector. Lead our partnership approach to suppliers and outsourced providers, ensuring they are supported to provide and maintain high quality services. Governance & Assurance Act as the Company Secretary for the organisation. Lead the organisation’s approach to quality improvement and management. Ensuring we have an appropriate quality assurance framework in place. Ensure the organisation has the infrastructure for timely and accurate management information. Act as the SLT member accountable for large scale change initiatives, ensuring we have a change management framework in place and that change initiatives are disciplined and follow set rules. Strategic Planning & Organisational Leadership Make significant contributions to the strategic direction of the organisation by proactively engaging and taking ownership as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Lead horizon scanning activities, ensuring we use external evidence to support planning and strategic initiatives. Model exemplary values-based leadership behaviours aligned with our organisational values. Foster a culture of collaboration, compassion, respect and accountability. Lead a learning environment philosophy, ensuring CPD is a priority throughout the organisation, and that teams are supported to learn and reflect. Other Duties Model exemplary values-based leadership behaviours aligned with our organisational values. Foster a culture of collaboration, compassion, respect and accountability. Lead a learning environment philosophy, ensuring CPD is a priority throughout the organisation, and that teams are supported to learn and reflect. Promote equal opportunities and high service standards. Commit to continuous professional development. Carry out other duties as directed by the Chief Executive. Person Specification Essential qualifications A relevant degree (at least SCQF level 10 or above) or equivalent professional qualification in HR, Finance, ICT or Business Management. A recognised management qualification (SCQF level 10 or higher) or evidence of substantial management training and development that is in line with the learning outcomes of a management qualification. Desirable qualifications A postgraduate qualification (SCQF level 11 or above) in a relevant field A professional membership of a recognised body such as CIPD, CIMA, BCS, CMI, ICAS. A project management qualification. Who we are looking for The ideal person will have worked in a corporate services leadership role before, or in a programme management role, familiar in leading multiple specialisms. They will, at the very least, meet the qualification requirements outlined in this job pack. The ideal person will have experience of managing change, and be comfortable leading others through that journey We’re looking for someone who has experience of leading teams, as well as line-managing managers This is a senior role in our organisation. We’re looking for people who are familiar with, and comfortable with, working at a senior level. This means leading a management team and working with a range of senior stakeholders, including our Board. The person will significantly contribute to organisational strategy, analyse data and performance information, and develop responses that take advantage of opportunities, or that correct under performance. They therefore need to understand the ‘bigger picture’ and work at a strategic level, as well as having the knowledge of how corporate functions operate. We’re open to people who have not held a ‘Director’ level role before, but they should have held a ‘Head of’ role or similar. What’s important is that they have experience of senior leadership and management across multiple sites. They should be able to evidence previous experience of leading distributed teams.