Chief Executive Officer at Paths for All

Take a look at the role…

Dear Applicant,

Many thanks for your interest in Paths for All.

Our new Chief Executive Officer will lead an organisation that is deeply respected throughout Scotland for its collaborative and open approach, its hands-on culture and its solid achievements in promoting physical activity, particularly walking. Our reach extends to improving public health and transport, tackling climate change and improving our environment  touching the lives of countless people from all parts of society and in all parts of Scotland.

Our mission – to encourage and enable physical activity for everyone, at anytime and anywhere – is deeply relevant as Scotland is emerging from the Covid lock-down. The wide-reaching benefits of active lifestyles for mental and physical health, and the value of shared activity in our social lives, have become well understood.

When lockdown started, we were able to draw on our practical experience and strong communication skills to provide advice and to support and encourage physical activity wherever people were able to do so. We will build on that and will also continue to promote lifestyles that help the environment, based on physical activity and active travel.

We are not a large organisation, but I believe that we have an important part to play in Scotland’s future. We are looking for a person who is excited by the opportunity we offer, can operate effectively in our complex world and can identify and develop new opportunities to improve the wellbeing and quality of life for people in Scotland.

If what I write here catches your imagination then do please put yourself forward for this rewarding job.

Marcus Sangster, Chair of the Board

Based in Stirling and founded in 1996, Paths for All works in partnership with 30 national organisations who share their vision of Scotland being a walking nation where everyone has the opportunity to be active every day, creating a happier, healthier, and greener Scotland.

Our mission is to support people in Scotland to be active every day. Walking is the easiest and most accessible way to do this. To change the way people move, travel and enjoy life in Scotland, our work is focused on three outcomes:

  • Walking is for everyone: Everyone in Scotland, no matter who they are or where they live, should benefit from walking.
  • Walking is for everywhere: Our places and spaces should be safe and attractive for everyone to walk in.
  • Walking is for every day: Everyone in Scotland should feel motivated to walk every day.

Our team structure is based on these themes

  1. Walking for Health – We aim to increase the number of people in Scotland walking every day, thereby improving wellbeing, reducing health inequalities, and preventing ill health.
  1. Active Environments – We aim to make outdoor environments in Scotland increasingly welcome, safe, fit for purpose and to encourage physical activity.
  1. Active Travel – We aim to support more people to walk and cycle for everyday short journeys and adopt sustainable transport for longer journeys thereby improving health, and reducing Scotland’s carbon footprints through our Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme.
  1. Policy and Communications – We aim to make more people in Scotland aware of the benefits of everyday walking, physical activity and how to take part. We aim to influence policy at national and local level to have an increasing focus on physical activity.

We have four core values that underpin all activities:

  • Integrity
  • Collaboration
  • Ambition
  • Innovation

More information can be found at:  www.pathsforall.org.uk/

Managing a growing team currently of 33 people, and reporting to Paths for All’s Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for the leadership and management of the operational and financial affairs of the charity and champion its vision is for a happier, healthier Scotland where physical activity improves quality of life and wellbeing for all.

Interested candidates should provide a tailored CV and covering letter, outlining your suitability and motivation for applying to Douglas Adam, Director – Public and Not for Profit Practice at [email protected]

Recruitment Timetable

Closing date for applications: 24th May
Shortlist meeting (Livingston James & Paths for All): 7th June
Panel Interviews: 16th June

The recruitment of this position is managed by Livingston James