West Highland Housing Association [WHHA] was formed in 2000 through the amalgamation of Lorn and the Isles and Oban Housing Associations. It is a Registered Social Landlord and a Scottish Charity. It joined the Link Group in 2015 and it is a regulated subsidiary of Link. Link and WHHA have one of the largest developments in Scotland at Dunbeg, near Oban, and this year will see 300 new houses in Argyll completed.

Development is an important part of what we do and we have over 800 existing properties from in and around Oban up to Port Appin in the North, to Kilmelford in the south, and Taynuilt in the east. There is ongoing housing development on the islands of Mull, Colonsay, Islay and Jura, and there is existing housing on Iona, Lismore, Luing and Tiree that we want to invest in, maintain and be part of wider community development.

The organisation provides much needed accommodation in an area that is experiencing economic growth. The strategic agencies – Argyll and Bute Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise – have ambitious plans for continued sustainable growth, but these plans rely on good quality housing and WHHA plays a critical role in the delivery of this. However, WHHA is much more than a delivery organisation; it is a well viewed and respected partner by the strategic agencies and other community delivery organisations.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an outstanding candidate to replace our existing exceptional Chief Executive. West Highland is in the process of upscaling its organisation and the new Chief Executive will have the opportunity to shape the organisation to meet the challenges and development opportunities of the next 10 to 20 years. This is an exciting time for the organisation and offers tremendous prospects to allow you to progress your career in a rewarding and supportive organisation.

You will have overall responsibility for WHHA, working with WHHA’s Board, in order to deliver high quality services benefiting tenants and service users.

You will have the opportunity to lead from the front, acting as the face of the organisation and driving key change initiatives, including the digitisation of our services and the introduction of new, innovative value – added services.

Candidate Requirements

You will be, or have the potential to be, an inspiring leader, with a track record of coaching, developing and improving multi-functional teams, with a strong degree of financial awareness and commercial acumen.

Whilst it is advantageous to understand social housing, we will consider candidates from a variety of third sector backgrounds who possess the right leadership and character attributes to operate in the social housing sector. You must be a housing enthusiast – understanding the difference housing makes for people.

You will have the ability to truly influence the organisation and develop both cultural and operating principles. All with the intention to develop and improve our customer service offering. In addition you will have an understanding of the impact financial and treasury issues have for our organisation.

In return, we offer the successful candidate an excellent working environment, good terms and conditions of employment, including a generous defined contribution pension scheme and relocation package.

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We offer more than just a career, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal development.

The head of people is a key role in ensuring that Mary’s Meals’ vision, mission and values are central to organisational decision making and people management. This people approach is vital in order to secure increased support for our Mary’s Meals school feeding programme, ensuring that the values of the organisation are upheld and promoted in all people activities.

Principle duties include:

• Leading the people function in Mary’s Meals UK, developing and implementing the people strategy.
• Reporting to our executive director, supporting the management of organisational development and change.
• Ensuring robust systems, processes and controls are in place and adhered to to ensure our people are recruited, inducted, supported and retained in line with Mary’s Meals' values.
• Acting as a key source of support to the leadership team regarding all people matters.
• Leading on HR compliance, legislation and risk management.
• Coaching and supporting line managers in team development and team building for all staff and volunteers.
• Identifying good practice to improve people engagement and to support a learning organisation ethos.

Fyne Homes is a Registered Social Landlord, Scottish Charity and Registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Operating in Argyll and Bute since 1936. (initial activity delivered by William Woodhouse Strain). In April 2002 the organisation was renamed Fyne Homes, a charitable affordable housing provider, taking in to account the wider geography of operation. Fyne Homes have an open membership and community based approach, governed by a Voluntary Management Committee. Over the years three subsidiary companies have been formed which together with Fyne Homes now form the “Fyne Group”.

We remain an active and aspirational developer and continue to enjoy an excellent reputation and strong record of development, innovation and wider regeneration in the local communities we serve. We remain fully committed to working in partnership with individuals, groups and other organisations to maximise the benefits we deliver to local people, and the improvement of the communities in which they live.

We aim to tailor our services to provide appropriate, reliable, accessible housing and support. We respect our customers, staff and committee and approach our business and activities with openness and integrity. By engaging with our tenants and stakeholders we are able to continuously improve our services to meet local needs. Through our best value approach we aim to ensure housing costs are affordable, managing resources effectively to maintain and improve homes to the highest standards.

Our current post holder is soon to retire and we are now looking for someone who possesses the right mix of skills, steady hand, imagination and drive that we need. You will be joining an ambitious and well governed organisation with an existing high performing Management Team.

The successful candidate will be both passionate about, and committed to, our vision and mission to remain an independent locally controlled social landlord which builds, manages and maintains our stock to the highest standards. We are a community centred organisation which believes in strong partnership working. We are also committed to delivering excellent services; and always in a fully transparent fashion underpinned by demonstrable integrity in all that we do. We need our next Chief Executive to fully support these values, and to have the ability to connect with, and understand, the challenges faced by people living within our many rural communities.

In return, we offer the successful candidate a beautiful working environment and excellent terms and conditions of employment, including a generous defined contribution pension scheme.