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- Tasks: Lead the Stroke Association's impact in Scotland, supporting stroke survivors and their families.
- Company: Join the UK's leading charity dedicated to stroke support and advocacy.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping health policy in Scotland.
- Qualifications: Senior-level experience in advocacy, policy change, and relationship management.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Home-based, Scotland (However, travel and overnight stays within the UK will be required as part of this role)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: Circa £66,000 per annum
The Stroke Association is the UK’s leading charity providing lifelong support for all stroke survivors and their families. We provide tailored support to tens of thousands of stroke survivors each year. This support includes one-to-one and group support, funding vital scientific research into stroke prevention, acute treatment, recovery and long-term care, and campaigning to secure the best care for everyone affected by stroke.
We’re here for stroke survivors and their loved ones, from the moment they enter the new and frightening post-stroke world, supporting them every step of the way as they find their strength and their way back to life. It’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors that we can provide vital support.
Stroke Association is driven by our ambition to improve the lives of everyone affected by stroke. This means we’re determined to create an equitable and inclusive workplace that benefits from the difference, and thrives on the diversity, of our people. Guided by our approach to solving inequity in stroke, we are prioritising listening to, and learning from, lived experience across our charity.
We are working to improve the representation of this lived experience at all levels within the Stroke Association, and we are eager to recruit applicants from a variety of communities and backgrounds. We are keen to receive applications from people affected by stroke, people of colour, members of LGBT+ communities, and disabled people because these identities and experiences are underrepresented and would add enormous value to how we work.
We are a Disability Confident employer, and we are making great progress focusing on flexible working, reasonable adjustments and access to work. Our charity has a variety of staff network groups, and we’re committed to continuously improving our diversity and inclusion efforts. If you have questions, or access needs, we’re happy to discuss any support and adjustments we can make throughout the recruitment process so that you’re able to contribute your best in a way that meets your needs.
About You and The Role
We’re looking for an exceptional systems leader to drive our work across Scotland and ensure people affected by stroke have the support they need to rebuild their lives. You’ll shape and deliver our vision for Scotland, focusing on what matters most to stroke survivors and ensuring our work has real, measurable impact.
In this influential role, you’ll build strong relationships across health and social care, Scottish Parliament and Government, and the wider stroke community. You’ll bring deep understanding of the Scottish context and ensure our work is grounded in the lived experience of stroke survivors and their families.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Lead the Stroke Association’s strategic direction and impact in Scotland, ensuring people affected by stroke receive high quality support.
- Build and manage relationships with key health, social care and political stakeholders, acting as a credible and respected systems leader.
- Adapt organisational priorities for Scotland and ensure effective delivery through strong planning and performance oversight.
- Lead and develop the Scotland team, addressing capacity needs and building volunteer capability to meet local priorities.
- Strengthen partnerships across the stroke community to improve access to support and tackle health inequalities.
- Lead engagement in local policy and pathway development, influencing improvements at health board level.
You will have:
- Significant senior-level experience in advocacy and influencing, including shaping policy change in values-driven, social-impact contexts within Scotland’s health and social care sector.
- Substantial experience developing and managing senior-level relationships across partner organisations, using strong negotiation skills and sound political judgement.
- Experience leading complex organisational change and transformation, ensuring people-centred and sustainable outcomes.
- Strong understanding of the Scottish health and social care landscape, including Parliament, Government, influencing systems, and awareness of UK-wide legislative procedures.
- Ability to balance local, national and UK-wide organisational priorities.
To fulfil the role, you must live in Scotland and have the right to work in the UK. This role requires travel and overnight stays across the UK. Candidates must be able to demonstrate how they can meet this requirement of the role.
Closing Date: 5 April
First Interview (online) Date: Monday 20 April or Tuesday 21 April
Second interview and Roundtable Discussion (face to face): week commencing 27 April
Please state any preferences for flexible options in your application. Applications from individuals who are seeking flexible working options, including reduced hours or job shares are welcomed.
If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
No agencies please.
Associate Director, Scotland employer: Stroke Association
Contact Detail:
Stroke Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the Stroke Association. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a difference in the lives of stroke survivors.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience in advocacy and influencing, as these are key for the Associate Director role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Stroke Association and making a real impact in Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Scotland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Associate Director role. Highlight your experience in advocacy and influencing, especially within Scotland's health and social care sector, to show us you’re the right fit.
Showcase Your Relationships: We want to see how you've built and managed relationships with key stakeholders in your previous roles. Share examples that demonstrate your negotiation skills and political judgement, as these are crucial for this position.
Emphasise Your Leadership Skills: As a systems leader, it’s important to showcase your experience in leading teams and managing organisational change. Tell us about your approach to developing capacity and building volunteer capability to meet local priorities.
Be Open About Flexibility: If you're looking for flexible working options, don’t hesitate to mention this in your application. We’re keen to accommodate different needs, so let us know how we can support you in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Stroke Association
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Stroke Association's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their work in Scotland, especially how they support stroke survivors. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your senior-level experience in advocacy and influencing. Think about times when you've shaped policy or led organisational change. Be ready to discuss how these experiences can translate into leading the Scotland team effectively.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves managing relationships with key stakeholders, come prepared with strategies on how you would approach building these connections. Discuss your negotiation skills and provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with health and social care partners in the past.
✨Be Ready for Travel Talk
As travel is a requirement for this role, be prepared to discuss your flexibility and willingness to travel across the UK. Highlight any previous experiences where travel was part of your job and how you managed it effectively.