Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Sports Association

The Scottish Sports Association (SSA) is entering the most significant period of change in its history.

Location
:
Scotland-based remote first working with access to office space and with frequent travel across Scotland and occasional UK/international travel required.
Salary
:
Up to £90,000
Deadline
:
Sunday October 11, 2026

Following a major review of how Scotland's governing bodies of sport can work together more effectively, the SSA is being transformed into the independent, unified and recognised collective voice of Scottish Governing Bodies (SGBs) of Sport. We are now looking for an exceptional Chief Executive to lead that transformation and turn an ambitious vision into reality.

This is much more than a traditional Chief Executive appointment. You will have the opportunity to shape a new four-year strategy, develop the organisation's future identity and brand, strengthen its governance and membership, build its organisational capacity and create a sustainable platform from which SGBs can collaborate and exert greater collective influence.

At the heart of the role will be relationships and influence. You will work closely with SGB Chairs and Chief Executives, the Scottish Government, sportscotland and other national partners, ensuring that the collective voice of governing bodies is heard and that their contribution to Scotland is understood and championed.

We are looking for a credible and ambitious senior leader with experience of operating successfully in a complex stakeholder environment. You will be an outstanding communicator and relationship-builder, politically astute and able to build consensus while maintaining momentum.

You will combine strategic thinking with the ability to deliver change and bring the financial, governance and organisational judgement expected of a Chief Executive.

You do not necessarily need to have built your career in sport. What matters is your ability to establish credibility, unite people around a shared ambition and lead an organisation through significant transformation.

For the right person, this is a rare opportunity to build a highly influential national organisation, strengthen the collective voice of Scotland's governing bodies and help shape the sporting landscape for years to come.

The Scottish Sports Association is committed to attracting a diverse field for this appointment and particularly welcomes applications from people and communities currently under-represented in senior leadership across sport. We welcome candidates from beyond the sporting sector as well as from within it and are committed to an inclusive, fair and accessible recruitment process.