Chief Executive Officer

Blackwood is a leading housing and care provider whose purpose is to help people live independently, using innovation and technology so that they can have choice and control over how they live.  Founded in 1972 by Dr Margaret Blackwood, we are award-winning pioneers in providing highly accessible homes for people with disabilities and more recently for older people.

With over 550 employees, 1500 properties, 3 care homes and over 10,000 hours per week in care at home services across Scotland, Blackwood operates in 28 out of 32 local authorities.  We have an ambitious strategy which includes building new homes, expanding our care services, improving customer satisfaction and continuing our thought leadership activities to promote the development of products and services that enable people to live independently as they age and lose mobility.

Blackwood’s annual turnover is around £25 million from housing and care services and in addition it funds adaptations and new builds through capital grants and borrowing, investing in innovation in design and technology to create the best solutions for customers and stakeholders and ensure independent living for the future.

The Opportunity

We are looking for an outstanding candidate to replace the existing exceptional Chief Executive.

It is an incredibly exciting time for Blackwood. We are starting construction of new homes at Charleston in Dundee, with plans to build additional homes at Silverlea in Edinburgh in 2023. We have completed the first year of our £13million Peoplehood project, funded by Innovate UK, which aims to develop and test products and services within a neighbourhood model that help people to age well and live healthier, happier and more productive lives for longer. We are working on the integration of a recently completed transfer of engagement from another social housing association. With strong foundations in place to grow and enhance services, the new CEO will lead these key strategic programmes  as well as the review and establishment of a future financial strategy and the ongoing development of the Group’s innovation agenda.

You will have overall responsibility for Blackwood, working openly and collaboratively with the Board, in order to deliver high quality services benefiting tenants and service users.

You will lead from the front, acting as the face of the organisation, positioning Blackwood as an industry leader through effective thought leadership and industry engagement activity.

You will grow, develop and enable your teams to drive key change initiatives, including the digitisation of services and the introduction of new, innovative value – added services.

This truly is a unique opportunity to lead and grow one of Scotland’s most recognised and respected housing and care providers, having a tangible impact on the lives of many.

Candidate Requirements

You will 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.

We are looking for someone with a passion for our organisation and sector, who can bring a strong degree of leadership experience within a relevant, regulated sector. Whilst it would be advantageous to bring a working knowledge of social housing and an understanding of the difference that housing and care can make for people, we will give due consideration to those from outside of social housing & care.

You will have the ability to truly influence the organisation and develop both cultural and operating principles.

In return, we offer the successful candidate an excellent working environment with a supportive Board, and the opportunity to lead a progressive, innovative and prestigious housing and care provider through the next phase of its growth story.

To read more about the opportunity and organisation download the candidate brochure by clicking here.

To apply, please send your CV with full remuneration details to Jamie Brown, Director at FWB Park Brown at applications@fwbparkbrown.com.  For an initial confidential conversation please contact our Edinburgh office on 0131 539 7087.