Chief Executive Officer

We are seeking an ambitious, values-driven Chief Executive Officer with the vision and leadership to set the strategic direction for a well-known charity in Dumfries. Working closely with the Board, and a wide range of partners and stakeholders, the new CEO will play a central role in securing the charity’s long-term sustainability and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the charity, accountable to the Board of Trustees for its people and resources, ensuring effective delivery of operational, financial, legal and regulatory responsibilities, and inspiring the management team to embrace the challenges faced.
• Work with the Board to shape, grow, and deliver an innovative, sustainable strategy that secures long-term success—acting as custodian of the charity's place and story; protecting the charity’s ongoing wellbeing; safeguarding the site’s environmental, cultural, and heritage value; and driving the charity's evolution into a thriving hub for economic activity that supports the region’s economic development.
• Lead the development and delivery of the charity's strategic partnerships, maximising engagement with key partners and stakeholders to position the Trust as a vital infrastructure asset for the South of Scotland and nationally, and to drive sustainable growth through collaborative, whole-system approaches that realise shared ambition and opportunities.

Scope of Responsibility

• Responsible for taking all major executive decisions affecting the charity, operating under the authority delegated by the Board through the Scheme of Delegation.
• With the support and oversight of the Board, the CEO will drive strategic direction and ensure effective operational delivery.
• The CEO must exercise delegated authority appropriately, be able to evidence and justify decisions taken, and remain accountable for outcomes.
• Ensure the effective management and continued development of the charity's estate.
• Direction and management of direct reports, delegating responsibility where appropriate, and ensuring efficient delivery of all services.
• Operational responsibility of all governance, legal, financial and general management matters consistent with the role of CEO in any commercial or third sector organisation, but also ensuring that all relevant information is made available to the Board in a timely manner to allow proper decision-making.
• Development of new services or improvements to existing services as required, thereby generating additional resources for the enhancement and delivery of the charity’s overall aims.

Principle Duties

Leadership

• Provide inspiration and create a supportive environment with exceptional communication skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Understand and effectively deal with the charitable concerns of the charity to meet all the requirements of charity law and OSCR best practice.
• Assess major risks and opportunities, stimulating change to support and achieve the charity’s goals.
• Provide visibility and engagement with external stakeholders, working in a collaborative and open manner.
• Ensure the Senior Leadership Team perform to a high standard and are progressing the charity’s objectives as agreed by the Board.

General Management

• Act decisively and ensure evidence-based management decisions across multiple income streams and organisational strands.
• Inspire confidence and belief in the vision and values of the charity, acting as its principal ambassador.
• Nurture and lead high-performing teams with an entrepreneurial mindset, accountability and a culture of excellence.
• Secure and enhance the organisation’s financial sustainability. Drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Strategy and Business Development

• Lead on the implementation of the strategy and agreed outcomes.
• Be visible and supportive in business development activities, with particular emphasis on developing the wide range of relationships that this role demands.
• Understand the big picture and develop innovative ideas to leverage external investment ideas both in response to bid calls and proactively to secure support from others.
• Attract and find the right people to lead any new developments/initiatives and innovate and grow existing services and activities.
• Demonstrate significant commercial acumen and judgement in securing effective delivery of projects and plans.
• Promote and nurture an entrepreneurial culture and practice within the charity.

External responsibilities

• Represent the organisation and its values and aims at all times.
• Articulate and communicate the story of the charity as well as the future plans of the organisation, making the most of the charity as an extraordinary destination and place of innovation, learning and heritage with a long view 100 years forward and back.
• Build on the charity's strong reputation as a high-quality environment and strategic hub for economic development, leveraging the charity's role as an anchor organisation and trusted convener to strengthen partnerships, attract further investment, and secure long-term support.
• Be politically aware in assessing the impact of development at the charity on the social and community affairs of Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway, the South of Scotland and the wider Borderlands Region.