Deputy Head of Operations

We are looking for an experienced and people-focused operational leader to help shape and deliver high-quality services across Marie Curie Scotland based out of Edinburgh Hospice. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting teams, improving services and making a meaningful difference to the experiences of patients, families and carers.

Working collaboratively with colleagues and partners, you will provide operational leadership across a range of services, ensuring they are safe, effective, well-managed and responsive to local needs. You will play an important role in supporting and developing teams, driving continuous improvement and building strong relationships with stakeholders across the health and care system.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience gained in a variety of operational settings. Experience within health, social care, hospice, community care, third sector or public sector services would be particularly valuable and will help you to navigate the opportunities and challenges facing integrated health and care services today.

Success in this role will come from strong people management skills, a collaborative approach, sound operational judgement and a commitment to delivering compassionate, person-centred services that support Marie Curie's mission.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Experience leading and supporting teams within a complex operational environment.
• Strong people management skills, including coaching, performance management, workforce planning, employee relations and developing people to achieve their potential.
• Experience building positive team cultures and supporting colleagues through change and service improvement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise, problem solve and make informed decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience managing resources, budgets and operational performance.
• A collaborative leadership style with a commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and continuous improvement.
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience.

Desirable

• Experience working within health, social care, hospice, community care, third sector or public sector services.
• Understanding of the challenges and opportunities within health and social care services.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and partner organisations.
• Knowledge of governance, quality improvement and service development approaches.
• Understanding of palliative and end of life care services and the needs of patients, families and carers.
• A recognised management or leadership qualification.

Please see the full job description here

What’s in it for me?

Salary: Marie Curie Clinical Pay Scale Band 7 £52,845 to £61,466

Contract: Permanent 37.5 hours per week

Base: Onsite 5 Days a week at Marie Curie Edinburgh Hospice Frogston Road West EH10 7DR

Benefits You’ll Love

• Annual leave allowance 27 days plus 10 public holidays
• Competitive Policy for parental/sick Leave
• Continuous Professional development
• Industry leading training programmes
• Season ticket loan for travelling to and from work
• Defined contribution schemes for Pension
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and satellite navigation systems
• Introduce a friend scheme
• Help with eyecare cost
• Entitled to Marie Curie Blue Light Card
• Entitled to Benefit-Hub Discount Scheme
• 15% staff discount in all Marie Curie Shops
• Life assurance – for all employees

Application Process

• Close date for applications: 23rd October 2026
• Interview Date: A date to be confirmed in due course, interview will be in person
• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.

For an informal conversation about the role please reach out to either of the following:

• Irene Johnstone Head of Operations Scotland – Irene.Johnstone@mariecurie.org.uk
• Eileen McGinlay Head of Nursing and Quality Scotland – Eileen.Johnstone@mariecurie.org.uk
• Michelle Harkins Deputy Head of Operations Scotland – Michelle.Harkins@mariecurie.org.uk
• We reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.