Chief Executive Officer

• YouthLink Scotland
• Vacancies
• Chief Executive Officer

Working closely with the Chair and Board, you will help set SYP’s strategic direction and turn the ambitions of our Strategic Plan and Dear Scotland’s Future manifesto into meaningful action. You will lead and develop the staff team, strengthen relationships with decision-makers and partners, and ensure that SYP remains sustainable, well-governed and equipped for the future.

• Organisation: Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)
• Job title: Chief Executive Officer
• Contract: Full-time (35 hours per week) - with flexibility for evening and weekend work. Permanent (subject to continued funding)
• Location: SYP Office Edinburgh/Hybrid
• Closing date: 1 November, 2026
• Salary: £60,000 to £70,000

The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people. We provide a national platform for young people to discuss the issues that matter to them, defend their rights and influence the decisions that shape their lives.

Around 160 Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament – MSYPs – represent communities and voluntary organisations across Scotland. Our organisation is genuinely youth-led: our campaigns and priorities are shaped by young people, and our Board is made up entirely of young Trustees aged between 16 and 25.

We are now looking for our next Chief Executive. This is an opportunity to lead a respected national organisation with a strong political profile and a proud record of achieving change. SYP’s campaigns have contributed to Votes at 16, equal marriage and the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.

Working closely with our Chair and Board, you will help set SYP’s strategic direction and turn the ambitions of our Strategic Plan and Dear Scotland’s Future manifesto into meaningful action. You will lead and develop our staff team, strengthen our relationships with decision-makers and partners, and ensure that SYP remains sustainable, well-governed and equipped for the future.

You will also be a visible ambassador for SYP and young people’s rights. You will build trusted relationships across government, Parliament, local authorities, funders, the third sector and the wider youth work community, influencing effectively while protecting SYP’s political impartiality.

We are looking for a values-led, inclusive and ambitious leader with experience of delivering results within a complex organisation.

You will bring strong strategic and people leadership skills, sound judgement and an understanding of governance, finance and organisational risk. You will also understand how policy is developed and influenced in Scotland.

Most importantly, you will believe in youth leadership. You will know how to advise, support and constructively challenge a young board without taking ownership of its decisions. You will listen carefully, communicate openly and create space for young people to lead.

You do not need to be an existing Chief Executive. You may be ready to take your first step into a CEO role, having already demonstrated the leadership capability, values and potential to succeed at this level. Experience of youth work would be valuable but is not essential. What is essential is a genuine commitment to young people’s rights, meaningful participation and social justice.

SYP wants its leadership and staff team to reflect the diversity of Scotland’s young people. We therefore welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage interest from candidates whose perspectives and experiences are underrepresented in senior leadership. A flexible approach to evening and weekend work will be required.

Application notes: SYP are working with LHH Executive Search on this opportunity. Enquiries and applications should be made via LHH.