Job Description

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end-of-life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end-of-life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

The care and support we provide is highly valued by the people we care for and their loved ones, but at present we are only reaching around 10% of dying people at the end of life. Right now, one in four people in the UK with a terminal illness, do not get the care or support they deserve at the end of their lives. 

We want a different society than the one we live in now. Our mission for the next five years is to close the gap in the number of people missing out on what they need at the end-of-life, through 3 ways:

• Growing and transforming our direct care and support
• Delivering more practical information and support
• Leading in shaping the end-of-life experience

We are looking for an inspiring and experienced leader with strong operational expertise, commercial awareness and the ability to build high-performing teams while delivering exceptional outcomes. Joining our Place-Based Leadership Team in Edinburgh as Deputy Head of Operations.

This pivotal role sits within the senior management group and carries significant responsibility for the operational delivery of a broad portfolio of clinical and non-clinical services, including facilities, administration, performance, and compliance. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership and gravitas, with the ability to manage stakeholder relationships, including consultants, clinical nurse managers, and commissioners. With a wide scope and budgetary accountability, you will lead service improvement, attend key strategic meetings, and act as a primary point of contact for the hospice. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is ready to take ownership of delivering high-quality, patient-centred services across multiple locations.

What you will be doing:

• Lead the day-to-day operational management of designated service areas, ensuring delivery against key performance indicators.
• Support service improvement and redesign projects, working closely with the Place-Based Leadership Team to modernise practices and integrate new services.
• Monitor service performance and capacity planning, producing timely reports to inform decision-making and maintain high standards.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, acting as a key point of contact for commissioners and external partners.
• Provide effective line management, supporting staff development, recruitment, and performance in line with organisational policies.
• Oversee financial performance, ensuring services operate within budget and contribute to cost improvement plans.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and patient-centred care across multidisciplinary teams.

What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in managing high-performing teams and groups of staff
• A strong understanding of service design and effective delivery models
• Ability to analyse issues, solve problems, and propose practical solutions
• Demonstrable experience in budget management and resource allocation
• Ability to work independently while building effective relationships and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.
• Educated to degree level or able to demonstrate equivalent skills and experience
• A recognised management qualification or equivalent leadership experience
• Experience in developing new ways of working, including transformational service redesign
• Well-developed leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to enthuse, motivate and engage individuals and teams

Please see the full job description here

Additional Information

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: 10th September 2026

• Interview Date: W/C 17th September 2026 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.

At Marie Curie, our values are central to everything we do. They guide how we care for people, how we work together, and how we make decisions every day. We are committed to creating a workplace that is safe for everyone — staff and volunteers alike — supportive, inclusive and rewarding. We take stringent steps to ensure that anyone who joins our organisation are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. We actively consider our impact on the planet, embedding sustainability into everyday decisions to create a lasting, positive difference for the individuals we care for and the world we share.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to thrive and fulfil their potential. Marie Curie is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, recognising both the social justice imperative and the strength a diverse workforce brings. We actively encourage applications from people of all cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you require any support, please contact us at recruitment@mariecurie.org.uk

Every application we receive is personally reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team, and in return, we ask that your application authentically reflects you — your experience, perspective and voice.