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- Tasks: Lead and oversee strategic operations to improve care for children and young people.
- Company: Join Rossie, a mission-driven organisation dedicated to trauma-informed care and education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, relocation support, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey, championing children's rights and enhancing their life chances.
- Qualifications: Significant leadership experience in complex settings; strong interpersonal and project management skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with the new CEO and shape the future of the organisation.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 80000 £ per year.
£80,607- £88,312 Montrose. Candidates should be located within a reasonable distance to commute to Montrose or be willing to relocate. Reasonable relocation expenses can be provided, if applicable.
Rossie is seeking an exceptional strategic leader to take on the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) at a critical moment in its organisational journey. With the incoming CEO taking up post in July 2025, the DCEO will play a key role in supporting the delivery of Rossie’s mission to improve the life chances of children and young people through trauma-informed, rights-based care, education and secure services.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO and forming part of the Senior Leadership and Management Team (SLMT), the DCEO will provide strategic and operational oversight across all internal services, including secure care, residential care and education. This is a senior leadership role that requires an individual capable of managing complexity, bringing cohesion to multi-disciplinary teams, and sustaining a strong internal culture grounded in values and outcomes. Working closely with the Heads of Care, Education, and Specialist Intervention Services, the DCEO will focus on aligning operational delivery and ensuring that young people experience joined-up, high-quality support throughout their journey with Rossie. The DCEO will focus on internal leadership, service performance, staff development, and delivery of the strategic plan. The successful candidate must be confident deputising for the CEO when required and able to hold accountability for internal consistency, cohesion, and quality.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and strategic oversight across Rossie’s core operational services, ensuring alignment and shared responsibility for outcomes across care, secure and education.
- Lead, coach and support senior managers, setting clear expectations and building a collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Act as a key internal driver for reducing restrictive practices and embedding trauma-informed, rights-based approaches.
- Deliver effective project and change management across services; experience with innovation, bids, or service development would be advantageous.
- Support strategic development and business planning, with a particular focus on secure care as a growing and evolving part of the organisation.
- Lead on service-level governance, ensuring standards align with inspection requirements and national care frameworks.
- Serve as a trusted deputy to the CEO, stepping in to lead the organisation when required and contributing to long-term succession planning.
The person
Rossie is seeking a capable and compassionate leader who brings a balance of operational rigour, emotional intelligence, and strategic insight. Secure care experience – particularly in the Scottish or English context – is welcomed but not essential. Essential attributes include:
- Significant senior leadership experience in a complex setting such as care, education, justice, health or local government.
- Experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing operational delivery at scale.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence, align and motivate teams with diverse professional backgrounds.
- A proven ability to deliver projects or service developments, ideally with an understanding of funding, commissioning or bid processes.
- A values-driven approach, with a clear commitment to rights-based, trauma-informed practice.
- Sound understanding of governance, risk, inspection and safeguarding requirements.
- Ability to work on-site full-time, with a willingness to relocate if required (accommodation support available).
This role requires someone who can balance authority with empathy, provide strong leadership while enabling others, and who is comfortable operating at executive level in a dynamic, fast-moving environment. The ideal candidate will be capable of building a strong working relationship with the CEO, complementing their direct leadership style with a thoughtful, collaborative approach.
This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established, mission-led organisation at a time of positive change and ambition. The DCEO will play a key role in strengthening Rossie’s impact, driving forward its commitment to excellence, and championing the rights and voices of children and young people.
If this sounds like 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: www.aspenpeople.co.uk/rossie
Closing date for applications: Monday 21st July 2025. To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter (as one combined document) via the apply button. If you are unable to combine your documents, then please email your cover letter to applications@aspenpeople.co.uk. Offers of appointment are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer employer: Aspen People
Contact Detail:
Aspen People Recruiting Team
applications@aspenpeople.co.uk
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Chief Executive Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Rossie's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to trauma-informed, rights-based care will help you align your leadership style with their organisational culture, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the care and education sectors, especially those with experience in secure care. Engaging with these individuals can provide insights into the challenges and opportunities within the field, which you can leverage during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed complexity and fostered collaboration, as this is crucial for the DCEO role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research current trends and best practices in governance, risk management, and safeguarding within the care sector. Being well-versed in these areas will demonstrate your readiness to take on the responsibilities of the DCEO position.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take the time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer position. Familiarise yourself with Rossie's mission and values to ensure your application reflects a strong alignment.
Craft a Tailored CV: Your CV should highlight relevant senior leadership experience, particularly in complex settings like care or education. Emphasise your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage operational delivery effectively.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, articulate your vision for the role and how your skills align with Rossie's goals. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your capability in strategic oversight and project management.
Proofread and Combine Documents: Ensure that both your CV and cover letter are free from errors and formatted professionally. Remember to combine them into one document before submission, as specified in the application instructions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspen People
✨Understand the Organisation's Mission
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Rossie's mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your leadership style aligns with their commitment to trauma-informed, rights-based care and how you can contribute to improving the life chances of children and young people.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Leadership Experience
Highlight your previous experience in senior leadership roles, particularly in complex settings. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed multi-disciplinary teams and delivered operational excellence, as this will be crucial for the DCEO role.
✨Showcase Your Change Management Skills
Discuss any relevant experience you have with project and change management. Prepare to share examples of how you've led service developments or innovations, especially in contexts similar to secure care, as this will demonstrate your capability to drive forward Rossie's strategic goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle complex situations. Think about how you would approach reducing restrictive practices or embedding a collaborative culture within diverse teams, as these are key responsibilities of the DCEO.
