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- Tasks: Lead the development of a new family service in Scotland, supporting bereaved families.
- Company: Gambling with Lives, a charity focused on preventing gambling harm and saving lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 25 days leave, and a 7% pension contribution.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team dedicated to systemic change and support for families.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping a vital service for families affected by gambling-related suicide.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health, social work, or service development; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 48000 £ per year.
Home-based within Scotland, within reasonable travel of a major population centre (e.g. Edinburgh, Glasgow or Stirling), with regular travel across Scotland and occasional travel to Leeds/Sheffield and wider UK locations.
Salary: £45,000 - £48,000 (dependent on experience)
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
7% employer pension contribution
Flexible working arrangements
Home-based role with autonomy
Opportunity to shape a new national service
Meaningful work within a lived experience-led charity driving systemic change
About Gambling with Lives
Gambling with Lives is a charity established by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide. We exist to prevent gambling harm and save lives through support, advocacy and systemic change. We work alongside families to navigate complex post-death processes, access support, and advocate for change. We are fundamentally led by lived experience. Families are central to everything we do—shaping services, influencing strategy, and driving the organisation forward.
This is a newly created role in Scotland, based on an established family service model operating across England and Wales. You will translate this model into the Scottish landscape—building relationships, understanding systems, creating referral pathways, and ensuring families receive consistent support and advocacy. This is not purely a service delivery role. Initially, the focus will be on service development, stakeholder engagement, system mapping and establishing the service. Over time, the role will evolve into a more strategic leadership and management position.
Key Responsibilities
- Service Development & Implementation
- Establish and embed the family service model across Scotland
- Map post-death systems, including fiscal processes and stakeholder pathways
- Translate the England & Wales model into a Scottish framework
- Build referral pathways with key agencies and professionals
- Develop relationships with fiscal services, NHS, local authorities and stakeholders
- Identify gaps and opportunities for service improvement
- Contribute to long-term strategy and sustainability
- Support families bereaved by gambling-related suicide
- Conduct holistic needs assessments
- Guide families through inquests, investigations and system navigation
- Manage safeguarding and risk
- Work alongside families as partners
- Advocate within complex systems
- Represent the organisation across Scotland
- Deliver presentations, training and awareness sessions
- Build trust within communities and referral networks
- Support public affairs and systems change work
- Collaborate with Public Affairs and leadership teams
- Work with the Head of Family Services and wider team
- Contribute to organisational learning
- Engage with the Family Council and lived experience groups
- Ensure alignment with lived experience-led values
- Maintain accurate records and reporting
Who this role may suit
This role may suit individuals working as a Service Manager, Project/Programme Manager, Safeguarding Lead, Senior Social Worker, Mental Health Practitioner, or within bereavement, postvention or family support services. We also welcome those with experience in service development or stakeholder engagement seeking a purpose-driven role.
Person Specification
- Essential Experience
- Background in mental health, psychotherapy, counselling, social work, nursing, psychology, bereavement or safeguarding
- Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience
- Experience managing complex cases and risk
- Ability to work independently with strong judgement
- Experience building stakeholder relationships
- Experience delivering services or projects
- Understanding of trauma-informed practice
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to represent an organisation externally
- Warm, empathetic and emotionally intelligent
- Calm, resilient and professional
- Organised and self-motivated
- Confident in complex, sensitive environments
- Credible with stakeholders and compassionate with families
- Collaborative and values-led
- Comfortable with ambiguity and building new systems
- Motivated by purpose and impact
This role requires someone who can take the brief and run with it.
Recruitment Process
- Stage 1: Screening and interview with Charity Recruit
- Stage 2: Teams interview with panel and trustee
- Stage 3: Final face-to-face interview (Leeds or Sheffield)
If you're looking for a role where your work will directly improve lives, shape systems, and build something impactful, we'd love to hear from you. This recruitment is managed by Charity Recruit. We work with charities across the UK to connect them with people who care deeply about their work. Our approach is hands-on, thoughtful and focused on finding the right fit—not just the right experience.
Program/Service Manager in Bonnyrigg employer: Charity Recruit
Contact Detail:
Charity Recruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Program/Service Manager in Bonnyrigg
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share your experiences in a way that highlights your skills and how they relate to the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Program/Service Manager in Bonnyrigg
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Family Service Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in mental health, social work, or service development, and show us how you can bring that expertise to Gambling with Lives.
Show Your Passion: We want to see your genuine interest in preventing gambling harm and supporting families. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive you to apply for this meaningful role, as it really helps us understand your connection to our mission.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, and make sure to address how you can contribute to building the new service in Scotland.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape a new national service.
How to prepare for a job interview at Charity Recruit
✨Know the Organisation Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Gambling with Lives. Familiarise yourself with their mission, values, and the specific challenges they face in Scotland. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Given the nature of the role, expect questions that assess your ability to handle complex situations. Think about past experiences where you've managed difficult cases or built stakeholder relationships. Prepare specific examples that highlight your skills in service development and advocacy.
✨Showcase Your Emotional Intelligence
This role requires a balance of compassion and professionalism. Be ready to discuss how you approach sensitive topics and support families in distress. Highlight your empathetic communication style and how it has positively impacted your previous work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions prepared. Inquire about the future direction of the family service in Scotland or how they envision the role evolving. This demonstrates your strategic thinking and genuine interest in contributing to their mission.