Head of Business Strategy and Partnerships

Social Security Scotland is seeking a strategic and influential leader to join the senior leadership team as Head of Business Strategy and Partnerships. This role will be instrumental in enhancing organisational maturity driving strategic partnership development and ensuring operational efficiency aligned with the organisations vision. The successful candidate will operate at a level that combines strategic oversight with operational management fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across internal and external stakeholders.

The initial appointment is for 23 months with the possibility of extension for a further 12 to 23 months subject to performance and business need.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organisational Improvement
Lead the development and delivery of the organisational business strategy ensuring alignment with Social Security Scotlands long-term goals and values.
Translate strategic objectives into clear measurable plans and oversee their implementation across the organisation.
Support the design and continuous improvement of the operating model working collaboratively with senior leaders to embed change.
Act as a trusted advisor and coach to senior managers and the Executive Team promoting leadership development and organisational capability.

Organisational Effectiveness & Reform
Oversee and coordinate the organisations Public Sector Reform portfolio ensuring measurable progress and shared benefits.
Champion a culture of innovation continuous improvement and organisational maturity embedding best practices and change management principles.
Lead assessments of organisational maturity identifying areas for development and implementing improvement plans.
Liaise with Scottish Government and other partners to identify opportunities for shared services collaboration and efficiency.

Strategic Partnerships & Engagement
Develop and deliver a strategic partnership plan to enhance collaboration with external agencies government bodies and community organisations.
Act as the escalation point for significant partnership issues fostering positive and proactive relationships.
Continuously review and improve how the organisation works with partners streamlining processes and enhancing joint outcomes.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called Success Profiles which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about how we assess the Success Profile elements.

Experience
1. Extensive leadership experience owning complex organisational change initiatives that require strategic planning data-driven decision-making and the management of diverse stakeholder interests.
2. Proven ability to develop and sustain high-level strategic partnerships negotiate effectively and influence across organisational and sector boundaries to achieve shared goals.

Technical Skills
1. Operational Leadership and Management - Level: Expert
2. Data and Insight Level: Expert
3. Deliver and Decision Making at Pace Level: Expert

You can find out more about the skills required here: Core ODP Skills - Operational Delivery Profession

How to Apply
Apply online you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words). Your CV and Supporting Statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the Experience and Technical Skillsrequired for the role as outlined in the Success Profile above. Be sure to provide specific examples of work that youve done that showcase your relevant experience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

In the event that we receive a high volume of applications we may conduct an initial sift using the CV and Supporting Statement based on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who successfully pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

Candidates who are successful at sift stage will be invited to attend an Interview and Assessment which will further assess the Experience and Technical Skillslisted in the job advert. The interview will be competency based and the assessment will take the form of a presentation. Full details of what will be assessed at the interview and assessment will be provided to candidates who are successful at sift stage.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Expected Timeline(subject to change)
Sift - w/c 8th December
Interview w/c 5th January (TBC)

Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for please contact us.

Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks Identity Right to work Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process please contact us at

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer support and recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further Information
Initial appointment will be for a period of 23 months with the possibility of extension for a further 12 to 23 months subject to performance and business need.

Find out more about our organisation what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Social Security Scotlands recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission ()

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles you can make a complaint by contacting Social Security Scotland at in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form please contact the Resourcing Team via

Apply before: 3rd December 2025 at 23:55

Contact Name- Deputy Director

Contact Email