Associate Director, Scotland

Stroke Association

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Stroke Association is the UK’s leading charity providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke. 

We’re here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life. It’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors that we can provide vital support.

Stroke Association is driven by our ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means we’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the differences and thrives on the diversity of our people. Guided by our approach to solving inequity in stroke, we are prioritising listening to and learning from lived experience across our charity.

About the role

We’re looking for an exceptional systems leader to drive our work across Scotland and ensure people affected by stroke have the support they need to rebuild their lives. You’ll shape and deliver our vision for Scotland, focusing on what matters most to stroke survivors and ensuring our work has real, measurable impact.

In this influential role, you’ll build strong relationships across health and social care, Scottish Parliament and Government, and the wider stroke community. You'll bring a deep understanding of the Scottish context and ensure our work is grounded in the lived experience of stroke survivors and their families.

Responsibilities

• Act as a credible and respected systems leader locally, by building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, as well as supporting UK wide systems leadership.
• Develop plans to adapt the organisational priorities for the Scottish context and ensure that these are delivered.
• Ensure capacity for delivery of Scotland plans by building and supporting the Scotland team, and collaboration with other colleagues, identifying and addressing resource and capability gaps and building volunteer capacity where required.
• Ensure effective stakeholder management across the areas of work, including leading our engagement with devolved politicians, civil servants, researchers and health system leaders, as well as central teams in the charity. 
• Ensure effective marketing of our support offers in the locality with the aim of increasing reach and take-up
• Engage in local policy and pathway discussions, supporting improvements and spreading of best practice at health board level
• Ensure effective engagement with people affected by stroke in the locality, so that our activity is effective in meeting their needs and that stroke survivors are supported to engage meaningfully in creating change locally and nationally. 
• Work with the Communications Team to ensure that charity messaging and channels are tailored to the local situation, and support the charity’s objectives in Scotland
• Support local income generation opportunities through effective working with colleagues in other teams. 
• Actively collaborate with colleagues in other directorates, including providing locality insights to inform the development of products and services, and providing support to design and delivery excellent customer journeys that include both giving and getting support. 
• Deputise for Executive Directors and lead on UK-wide improvement projects as required.
• Build high-performing and collaborative teams and culture. Champion and embed our values and agile ways of working. Role model organisational competencies and behaviours. Ensure effective financial management, including, budgeting, forecasting and financial control. 

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience:

• Significant senior-level experience in advocacy and influencing, including shaping policy change in values-driven, social-impact contexts within Scotland’s health and social care sector.
• Substantial experience developing and managing senior-level relationships across partner organisations, using strong negotiation skills and sound political judgement.
• Proven experience leading high-performing and geographically dispersed teams of paid staff and volunteers, with a strong track record of developing people and teams.
• Strong background in strategic development, business planning, operational delivery, and budget management.
• Experience leading complex organisational change and transformation, ensuring people-centred and sustainable outcomes.
• Experience in delivering community-focused and co-produced services, with a strong understanding of community development and engagement.
• Significant senior-level experience in advocacy and influencing, including shaping policy change in values-driven, social-impact contexts within Scotland’s health and social care sector.

Abilities & Competencies:

• Inspiring leadership, balancing strategic and operational demands with sound judgement, and strong knowledge of influencing and systems leadership
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, stroke survivors, communities and the media. Alongside an understanding of marketing, public engagement and fundraising within the charity sector.
• Strong understanding of the Scottish health and social care landscape, including Parliament,
• Government, influencing systems, and awareness of UK-wide legislative procedures.
• Ability to balance local, national and UK-wide organisational priorities.
• Inspiring leadership, balancing strategic and operational demands with sound judgement, and strong knowledge of influencing and systems leadership
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders, stroke survivors, communities and the media. Alongside an understanding of
• marketing, public engagement and fundraising within the charity sector.
• Strong understanding of the Scottish health and social care landscape, including Parliament,
• Government, influencing systems, and awareness of UK-wide legislative procedures.
• Ability to balance local, national and UK-wide organisational priorities.

Other Requirements:

• Commitment to the charity’s mission and values, with a demonstrable track record of addressing health inequalities and championing diversity and inclusion.
• Approachable and effective when working with diverse groups, demonstrating strong listening skills, tact, diplomacy, and appropriate assertiveness.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including travel within the UK and overnight stays.
• Experience using industry-standard IT and the ability to adapt to digital systems and new technology as the organisation evolves and explores new ways of working

Compensation & Benefits

• Home working allowance
• Pension
• Critical illness cover
• Life Assurance
• Flexible working

Conditions of employment

• You must live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK.

Working locations

• Home-based, Scotland (However, travel and overnight stays within the UK will be required as part of this role)

How to apply

• Please, apply via our website. You will be asked to submit answers to three application questions and upload a CV of no more than two pages. 

Interviews

• Online interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams. Please let us know if this will present any challenges by emailing [email protected]
• First Interview (online) Date: Monday 20th April or Tuesday 21st April.
• Second interview and Roundtable Discussion (face to face): Week commencing 27th April.

Policies

We are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Stroke Association, and we are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how we work.

We are a Disability Confident employer, and we are making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments, and access to work. Our charity has a variety of staff network groups, and we're committed to continuously improving our diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.

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