St Giles' Cathedral

Chief Operating Officer

Accountable To: Minister and Head of Staff

Salary: Competitive

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

Role Purpose

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will provide senior operational leadership across St Giles’ Cathedral’s non-ministerial functions, translating strategic priorities into effective operational plans, strong organisational systems and sustainable delivery.

Working closely with the Minister, Head of Staff and senior colleagues, the postholder will oversee people, finance, governance, property, visitor operations, retail, events and commercial activity. They will play a key role in strengthening the Cathedral’s operational effectiveness and financial sustainability while respecting its distinctive role as an active place of worship, a civic and national institution, and a major heritage attraction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of the Cathedral’s operational strategy, ensuring clear priorities, effective systems, accountability and performance monitoring.
• Lead and develop senior operational staff, fostering a collaborative, inclusive and accountable culture across employees and volunteers.
• Work closely with the Head of Finance and Treasurer to support effective financial management, budgeting, reporting, commercial planning and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee visitor operations, retail, events, venue hire and other income-generating activities, balancing commercial opportunities with the Cathedral’s mission and public benefit.
• Support fundraising, donor stewardship, grants and partnership development to strengthen the Cathedral’s financial resilience.
• Oversee property, facilities, security, conservation and capital projects, working with relevant colleagues and professional advisers.
• Ensure effective governance, risk management, internal controls and compliance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provide clear and timely advice and reporting to the Minister, Kirk Session and SCIO Board to support informed decision-making and effective governance.
• Build strong relationships with staff, volunteers, congregation members, trustees and external stakeholders, representing the Cathedral professionally and supporting its long-term development.

Key Challenges

• Balancing strategic leadership with the practical demands of day-to-day operational management.
• Developing sustainable commercial income while protecting the Cathedral’s identity and purpose as a place of worship.
• Leading organisational development within an evolving governance and management structure.
• Coordinating diverse functions and stakeholders while maintaining effective controls, compliance and risk management.
• Balancing the needs of worshippers, visitors, staff, volunteers and external partners within a high-profile heritage institution.

Person Specification

Essential

• Substantial senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation.
• A strong track record of translating strategy into operational plans and delivering organisational change.
• Significant financial and commercial acumen, including budgeting, performance management and business planning.
• Experience of leading teams, developing managers and improving organisational systems and culture.
• Experience of governance, risk management, compliance and working with a board, trustees or comparable governing body.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong strategic judgement, analytical ability and a practical, collaborative approach to leadership.
• An understanding of the responsibilities and sensitivities of a public, charitable, heritage or faith-based institution.
• A commitment to inclusion, accessibility, safeguarding and the mission and values of St Giles’ Cathedral.

Desirable

• Experience in the charity, heritage, cultural, visitor attraction or faith-based sector.
• Experience of visitor operations, retail, events or other commercial activities.
• Experience of property management, conservation or capital projects.
• Experience of fundraising, partnership development or donor stewardship.
• A relevant professional qualification.

For further information on the responsibilities and requirements of the role, please refer to the full job description.