We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join Humanist Society Scotland as our Head of Ceremonies.

This is an exciting and unique opportunity to be involved in far-reaching wedding, funeral and naming services across the entire country. Over one million people in Scotland attend a humanist ceremony every year and this role holder has a unique opportunity to shape how these services are delivered across a wide range of communities the length and breadth of Scotland.

As the Head of Ceremonies, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing all aspects of our ceremonies department, ensuring seamless operations, maintaining high standards, and fostering relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

We are especially interested in hearing from someone who has experience in strategic development of marketing and promoting services.

As a highly motivated self-directed individual you will manage a network of over 140 celebrants and line manage two support staff. We are seeking someone with considerable people management skills and a strong knowledge of marketing and promotion to direct and ensure delivery of growing the current demand and market share for our services.

In order to avoid conflict of interest and as this role has key management responsibilities in overseeing the delivery of all of our ceremony services this role holder cannot also hold a position as a celebrant. Individuals who are interested in becoming a celebrant can register their interest here instead.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee Day-to-Day Operations:

• Provide guidance and support to the ceremonies support team, including line management of two staff.
• Maintaining strong relationships with key contractors such as our celebrant trainers, emergency out of hours support and celebrant area officers.

• Budget Management:

• Ensure good oversight and planning of related budgets including delegating responsibilities to members of team where appropriate

• Promotional Plan:

• Developing and implementing business plans for sustainable growth, based on sound research and analysis of the competitive markets and future opportunities and then creating and implementing strategies to grow the business.
• Utilise various marketing channels and techniques to reach target audiences effectively.

New Celebrant Recruitment:

• Oversee recruitment and training provision for new celebrants working closely with our trainers.
• Working with our celebrant network to develop meaningful mentoring relationships for new celebrants.
• Ensure feedback from trainees helps further develop and improve our training.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Coordination:

• Coordinate ongoing CPD opportunities for celebrants, including organising gatherings and training sessions to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Reviews Oversight:

• Oversee and coordinate professional reviews of ceremonies.

Complaints Management:

• Address and resolve complaints from clients in a timely and professional manner.

Relationships with External Stakeholders:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including funeral directors, wedding venues and other relevant partners.
• Collaborate with external partners to expand our celebrant network and reach new audiences.
• Sharing best practices and learning from professional networks of other humanist leaders and groups.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience in a leadership role, preferably within service delivery. This could be in the public, private or third sector.
• Previous professional success in creating a meaningful promotional and marketing strategy to help increase market share.
• Ability to proactively anticipate emerging trends and threats and apply business intelligence to react in response.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritise effectively.
• Sound people management skills including the ability to handle delicate issues such as bereavement, complaints and conflict resolution.
• Strong customer service experience both internal stakeholder facing and external public facing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated proficiency in budget management.
• Independent work ethic with ability to self motivate and direct including ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and an understanding of GDPR principles.
• Has strong experience of ensuring that decisions are data-driven and evidence led.
• Is a committed team player and is used to collaborative working throughout the organisation.
• Good knowledge of humanist principles and practices.
• Professional experience of the wedding or funeral industries would be desirable but not essential.

Join our team and contribute to creating meaningful and memorable ceremonies that celebrate life and humanist values. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a dynamic environment, we want to hear from you!

Do you have a passion for developing funding opportunities to make a difference? Are you a natural leader who is skilled in managing a team who play an important part in organisational success? If so, we have a great opportunity for you to join Quarriers as Head of Business Development & Grants.

Your new opportunity

Quarriers have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Head of Business Development & Grants to work in partnership with our Associate Directors and Operational Managers to identify opportunities and develop new and existing services. You will manage and work closely with the Business Development & Grants team leading and implementing development strategies to support growth and funding for the overall organisation. You will play a key part in liaising with internal and external stakeholders and overseeing tender and funding opportunities including submissions.

As the Head of Business Development & Grants you will closely monitor and track potential tender opportunities including managing a portfolio of grants and funding aligned with department income and expenditure against budget and set targeted income.

This is a full-time permanent role working 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday) in line with our agile working policy, which blends home-working with office time and service visits.

What you will need to bring to the role

• Proven experience and understanding of implementing and managing business development strategies ideally within the social care/healthcare sector.
• An understanding of social care/healthcare service design.
• Skills in managing risk and business development with an understanding of the Grant funding landscape and innovative practice.
• Excellent IT knowledge and experience in using database systems.
• Extensive knowledge and experience at a senior level in a complex organisation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organisational skills to support strict deadlines and work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.
• Previous experience of managing a team and delivering positive results.
• Driving licence is essential

What’s in it for you?

• Substantial holiday entitlement.
• Generous workplace pension.
• Family-friendly working policies and procedures.
• Life Assurance.
• Wider benefits including our Employee Assistance Programme, free physiotherapy & occupational health support.

Quarriers have Investors in People Platinum accreditation and are a Scottish Living Wage Employer

About Us

Quarriers is one of Scotland’s leading social care charities. We provide practical care and support for vulnerable children, adults and families who face extremely challenging circumstances. We challenge poverty and inequality of opportunity to bring about positive changes in people’s lives.