Chief Operations Officer

Midlothian (services across Midlothian, the Borders and Edinburgh). Hybrid working – regular on-site presence is required. Salary: £90,000 + benefits.

The McSence Group is an award-winning, community-owned social enterprise with deep roots in Midlothian. Established in 1988 in response to significant economic change, McSence has grown into a diverse organisation delivering care, property, training and economic development services, with all profits reinvested into local communities.

McSence’s care services are central to its mission, supporting older people and adults to live independently and with dignity in their own homes. The organisation currently delivers around 6,000 hours of domiciliary care per week and has ambitious plans to expand significantly as part of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.

To support this next phase of growth, McSence is seeking a Chief Operations Officer to provide strategic leadership for the continued development, performance and expansion of its care services.

The Role

This is a senior strategic leadership position focused on the growth, development and commercial performance of McSence’s domiciliary care services. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive and working as part of the Executive Leadership Team, the Chief Operations Officer will lead the strategic direction of the care division, ensuring services continue to deliver high-quality, person-centred support while expanding sustainably across the region.

The role will work through an established operational structure, providing leadership to senior managers and Registered Managers while focusing on service development, contract delivery, financial performance and long-term growth. While the role operates primarily at a strategic level, the successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to step into operational detail when required, supporting services through periods of change, growth or challenge while maintaining a strong strategic focus.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced senior leader to shape the future of a well-established, values-led organisation with a strong reputation across the sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic development and growth of McSence’s domiciliary care services in line with the organisation’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan as a member of the Executive Leadership team.
• Provide senior leadership across the care division, leading through senior managers and Registered Managers to ensure consistent operational performance.
• Lead the growth and development of McSence’s domiciliary care services, identifying and securing new opportunities, expanding service provision and ensuring successful delivery of contracts at scale.
• Ensure strong financial oversight and commercial performance across the division, including responsibility for budgets, forecasting and performance management.
• Maintain high standards of governance, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement across all registered services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, regulators, partners and key stakeholders across the sector.
• Provide visible and supportive leadership across services, demonstrating the ability to operate both strategically and pragmatically - stepping into operational detail when required while maintaining focus on long-term development and growth.

About You

• You will demonstrate significant senior leadership experience within domiciliary / care-at-home services, operating at regional, divisional or director level.
• A proven track record of leading through senior managers, managing multi-site services and driving organisational performance.
• Strong experience in service development, growth and contract delivery, including working with local authority commissioners.
• Demonstrable commercial and financial acumen, including responsibility for budgets, financial performance and operational metrics.
• A clear understanding of regulatory frameworks, including experience working with the Care Inspectorate and SSSC.
• The ability to balance strategic leadership with practical operational insight, demonstrating when to step up into organisational leadership and when to step into service-level detail to support teams and drive improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the credibility to operate effectively at a senior level.

Location

The role is based in Midlothian, with services across the Edinburgh region and the Scottish Borders. Hybrid working is supported; however, the role requires regular on-site presence and candidates should ideally live within reasonable commuting distance.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal appointment for McSence as the organisation enters an ambitious period of growth and development. The Chief Operations Officer will play a key role in shaping the future of domiciliary care services across the region while contributing to the long-term success of a respected, community-owned social enterprise.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Lauryn Pringle or Debbie Shields at Aspen People on 0141 212 7571. For any administrative enquiries, please contact Hannah Farman on 0141 212 7555. To apply, please upload your CV and cover letter (as one document).

Recruitment Timetable:

• Applications Close: Wednesday 13th May
• Longlist Interviews: Tuesday 26th May
• Shortlist Interviews: Tuesday 2nd June