St John Scotland
Head of Operations
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About the role
Lead operational services that save lives across Scotland. St John Scotland is looking for an experienced Head of Operations to lead national operational delivery, service performance, operational staff and volunteer frameworks. This full-time senior leadership role is ideal for a confident operational leader who combines people skills with decisiveness, structure and calm judgement.
As Head of Operations, you will be accountable for the effective, safe and consistent delivery of St John Scotland’s operational services across Scotland. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (Senior Executive), you will provide clear operational leadership, performance management and decision-making authority.
What you’ll do
- Lead planning and delivery across Patient Transport, Public Access Defibrillators, CPR awareness and volunteering.
- Manage performance, budgets and resources within delegated authority.
- Resolve service delivery issues and escalations at the right level.
- Line manage Service Delivery Officers and future operational managers.
- Strengthen volunteer frameworks, safeguarding, risk management and assurance reporting.
- Build relationships with NHS Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service and local stakeholders.
- Support continuous improvement across operational services
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What we’re looking for
- Significant operational leadership experience in a complex charity, public, health or similar setting.
- Proven ability to manage staff and volunteers within clear accountability frameworks.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management and compliance.
- Experience turning strategy into disciplined delivery.
- Excellent communication skills, including confidence handling difficult conversations.
- Strong Microsoft 365 skills.
- A clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Scotland.
Key details
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- Full time, 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening and weekend work.
- Edinburgh Head Office, with regular travel across Scotland and flexible working considered.
How to apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter to recruitment@stjohnscotland.org.uk. A role description is available on our website - https://www.stjohnscotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-07/Head%20of%20Operations%20-%20Role%20Description%20July%202026.pdf
Closing date: 9 August, 5pm
Salary: £55,000 depending on experience
What you’ll gain
- An opportunity to lead and strengthen services that make a difference across Scotland.
- The opportunity to shape and strengthen services that save lives across Scotland.
- Supportive leadership, professional development and scope to build strong, modern operational systems.
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