Join the team: Head of Walking Programmes

Full time (35 hours a week)
Salary: £46,135 per annum rising to £51,266 over 2 years. 
Location: Blended working between Stirling office and home

Closing date for applications: 12 noon, Friday 19 December 2025 with interviews to be held in person in Stirling in the middle of January 2026.

Walking and wheeling are the most affordable and practical ways to help solve some of Scotland’s biggest challenges, from health inequalities to the climate-nature emergencies. We promote the benefits of walking and wheeling on our physical, social, and mental health. Our programmes connect communities and inspire positive behaviour change. We also improve places and spaces to walk and wheel. 

A key element of this work involves the delivery of our walking programmes, and we are seeking a senior leader who can inspire and develop our approach to this work. Our programme settings are based on national and international evidence of what works best to support people to become more active with walking and wheeling being one of the best ways to achieve this. 

About the role

So, as a potential candidate for this new post: 

• Are you able to take a leading role by managing our walking programme teams to deliver on our commitments?   

• Are you able to build, manage and nurture highly effective relationships, influencing key stakeholders, partner organisations and funders to increase walking opportunities in Scotland? 

• Can you demonstrate competency as a senior leader and contribute meaningfully to a Senior Leadership Team?. 

• Are you adaptable and resilient and able to anticipate challenges and developing plans to solve them?   

You will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team to champion and deliver Walking Scotland’s Mission, Strategy, and Plans. You will also lead a multidisciplinary team to drive forward our key objectives within the programme settings. 

We offer the opportunity to be part of an organisation that recognises staff as our most valued asset.  Attractive employment conditions include a contributory pension scheme and flexi-time policy.   

About us

It’s an exciting time to join us. We’ve just unveiled our new name and brand, and as we approach our 30^th anniversary, we’re stepping confidently into a bold new chapter.

We’re a charity that helps make walking and wheeling a part of everyday life. We promote the benefits of walking and wheeling on our physical, social and mental health. Our programmes connect communities and inspire positive behaviour change. We also improve places and spaces to walk and wheel.

We’re an advocate for making walking and wheeling inclusive. We work with partners and local communities to reduce barriers. This ensures everyone has the chance to walk and wheel everywhere they go. By focusing on walking and wheeling, we’re helping to solve some of Scotland’s biggest challenges, from health inequalities to the climate-nature emergency. Find out more.

Ready to walk the talk?

Please submit your completed Application form and Recruitment Monitoring Form to recruitment@walkingscotland.org.uk  

If you have any difficulty accessing the recruitment documents please get in touch at recruitment@walkingscotland.org.uk

If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact the HR Manager, by email at karen.fraser@walkingscotland.org.uk and arrangements will be made for you to speak with Kevin Lafferty, the Chief Executive Officer. 

Information and guidance on how to apply 

If you have any difficulty accessing the recruitment documents please get in touch at recruitment@walkingscotland.org.uk

Walking Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.