Pros
An amazing, passionate staff, especially those carrying out service user/ client facing work. Real links with local communities at the lower levels. Opportunities for career progression (although not always ongoing support to develop).
Cons
For the period that I worked there, there was little to no cohesion in the structure. Contracts were chased and won but were often over promised and given to staff with limited experience, training, or support who had to improvise and figure things out on their own. Work was largely siloed and many of the fragmented teams seemed to be managing fires. A lot of people had failed upwards, especially at SMT level and seem to be in post because no where else would hire them. The CEO has unrealistic expectations and appears to be more occupied with self-promotion than supporting a well run organisation. I left to work at another organisation in the same sector and was surprised at just how much more professional and structured the other organisation was in comparison.