Director General Exchequer, Strategy and Performance

The Scottish Government (SG) is seeking a dynamic Director General Exchequer Strategy and Performance (DG ESP) to develop and embed the role of the strategic centre of the Scottish Government.

This is a new DG post created following the merger of the former roles of DG Strategy and External Affairs and DG Scottish Exchequer. Organisational design work remains ongoing and as a result some current responsibilities may be subject to change. The appointed post holder will contribute to shaping the final role design. This is a role for a leader who can inspire and enable change build high-performing teams and foster collaboration across boundaries. You will work closely with Ministers the Executive Team Non-Executive Directors and senior leaders within and beyond Scotland.

You will lead a diverse team of Directors and oversee a workforce of approximately 600 staff and a budget of around 500 million. You will provide leadership on Strategy Performance Operational Delivery and Public Service Reform and Transformation as well as providing advice to the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance on a range of key fiscal events including; the Scottish Governments Medium Term Financial Strategy; Tax Strategy; annual Budget setting; infrastructure planning; public sector pay policy; and longer-term fiscal risk strategy and management. These areas underpin the Scottish Governments ability to deliver its priorities in a fiscally sustainable way and to ensure strategic and fiscal credibility on the international stage.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future Scottish Governments strategic priorities providing evidence-based advice to Ministers on fiscal budgetary and policy matters within your portfolio. You will have leadership accountability for the future development and oversight of theNational Performance Framework.

As part of the Executive Team you will have specific corporate roles including acting as a Champion of our diversity and inclusion agenda. You will be a member of the Corporate Board which brings together the Executive Team with our Non-Executive Directors and you will play a key leadership role in our wider Corporate Governance System working closely with Director General Corporate/Chief Operating Officer at the heart of government.

Success Profile

It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this role.

In addition candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the professional experience and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.

Experience:

Leadership at Executive Team and Board level:

• Demonstrable experience of governmental fiscal and budgetary functions either in government or the wider public sector.
• Demonstrable experience of financial management of significant resource and capital budgets together with overarching corporate governance experience.
• Experience of working in an international diplomatic or policy environment with regular engagement across international partners.
• Significant experience of leading the development and delivery of organisational strategies in a large and complex organisation within government the public sector or private sector.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic objectives at pace and sustain them through periods of ambiguity and organisational change.
• Achievement of measurable improvements through effective cross-boundary working and partnership with a wide range of stakeholders across specialist subject areas.

Behaviours:

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours including descriptors for each level here:Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide -

You are required to demonstrate the following behaviours at level 6 for this role:

• Seeing the big picture (Level 6)
• Delivering at pace (Level 6)
• Leadership (Level 6)
• Managing a quality service (Level 6)
• Changing and improving (Level 6)

How to apply

Candidates must apply online providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) that directly address the Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. Please ensure your statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the specified experience requirements.

During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as Behaviours aligned to this role.

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.

If you are shortlisted you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection and assessmentprocess. This will include an individual psychological assessment and a stakeholder and staff engagement exercise.

Assessments are scheduled for the weeks commencing 9 March; however this may be subject to change. Some of the assessments are likely to take place in person; further details will be provided for shortlisted candidates.

The Final Interview Panel willtake place in person in Edinburgh. Interviews will be chairedby Liz WalmsleyCivil Service Commission.The other panel Members will include:

• Joe Griffin Permanent Secretary Scottish Government
• Nicola Richards Director People Scottish Government
• Sarah Davidson Chief Executive Carnegie UK

Indicative Timeline *

• Informal meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Local Government: 9 March via Teams
• Staff and Stakeholder Engagement Panels: 11 March in person (Edinburgh)
• Final interviews: 16 March in person (Edinburgh)

*Timings are subject to change. You will be informed appropriately.

Interview Expenses

Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including education health the economy justice housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of theUK Civil Serviceworking for Ministers and with senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 143036 Scottish Government contributes 41437 (28.97%) towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Other benefits include

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Working Pattern

Applicants on any working pattern are welcome to apply for this post. If you are interested in applying on a job-share basis please make clear in your application if you wish to be considered a pre-existing job-share partnership or if you are interested in moving into a job-share arrangement. We will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for the post and discuss all options with candidates.

For information full-time equivalent is 37 hours per week. Applicants should expect to spend significant time in-personat their contracted workplace and/or other settings to optimise their leadership functions

This role is Edinburgh based with regular travel across Scotland and London.

If you have specific questions about the role please contact

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 theUK Government websiteor read about the different levels of security checks in ourCandidate Guide. In addition given the requirements of this role candidates will requirenational security vettingto Developed Vetting level as a condition of appointment.

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment todiversityand how we offer and supportrecruitment adjustmentsfor anyone who needs them.

Further information

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

Read ourCandidate Guidefor further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Civil Service Commission

The Scottish Government is committed to being a Fair Work Employer and our recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles set out by the Civil Service Commission. You can find out more about the Civil Service Commissionhere.