Head of Community

Do you have a proven track record of leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams and a strong commitment to tackling housing injustice in Scotland? Then join Shelter Scotland as our new Head of Community and you could soon be at the forefront of driving transformational change across our Community and Training Teams. Our new strategic plan offers a unique opportunity to shape and deliver strategic initiatives that empower local communities, improve service delivery, and ensure that the voices of those impacted by the housing emergency are heard and acted upon.

About the role

This post is responsible for the management and development of the Community Function, comprising of three Community Teams (North, East and West) and the Training Team. The post shares joint responsibility with the Head of Services for the wider leadership and development of all functions and teams across Community & Services. Flexibility is vital to effectively support the continuous development of our activities, aligned to the delivery of the Shelter Scotland Strategic Plan. This may necessitate changes to the teams or activities the role will manage.

Role specifics

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to help drive the development and delivery of Shelter Scotland’s annual operational plan. This role plays a key part in managing internal projects, ensuring quality and compliance, and contributing to income generation through donor engagement and insight sharing. The successful candidate will manage teams and budgets, uphold high standards in service delivery, and support our campaigns by leveraging evidence and lived experience. A strong commitment to safeguarding, equality, and Shelter’s values is essential, as is the ability to lead by example.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme. We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

Shelter Scotland is one of six Directorates of Shelter. Led by the Director of Shelter Scotland, the Directorate comprises two departments: Community & Services and Communications & Advocacy. Both of these departments are led by an Assistant Director (AD). The services and community work we deliver responds to individuals and households directly affected by the housing emergency. We deliver these activities in pursuit of the changes we seek to practice, culture and policy.

About Shelter Scotland

Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses. Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency. We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything. We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.