Appointment of Chair to the Board of Architecture and Design Scotland

Edinburgh - UK

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description

Do you want to lead Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) into a new chapter of transformation and increased impact

A&DS was established as a public body in 2005 and is a national champion for good design of the built environment helping to shape the places and buildings that influence our lives. The organisation has accomplished a great deal since its inception helping to embed the benefits of good design across an array of issues and places.

Following a recent government review A&DS is entering an exciting new chapter. Alongside its continuing actions to champion good design A&DS will now play a new role to support and develop Scotlands architecture and design workforce growing the collective capacity and harnessing the value of design.

The review also recommended structural reform activity including nesting A&DS within another public body to harness opportunities maximise efficiency and increase impact.

Scottish Ministers now seek to appoint a Chair who will be central to the success of the organisation steering A&DS into a new chapter and delivering on new ambitions.

Responsibilities

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Chair you will lead the Board and ensure A&DS delivers its functions and ambitions aligning with Scottish Ministers priorities. This is a central role with significant potential for strategic influence on the role of architecture and design in Scotland.

The Chair provides strategic leadership to the Board ensuring effective governance clear strategic direction and high ethical standards. The Chair oversees Board performance succession planning diversity and committee structures while ensuring members understand their roles and adhere to the Code of Conduct. The Chair keeps Ministers informed of Board needs leads annual appraisals of the Chief Executive and Board members and ensures the Board operates efficiently transparently and in line with recognised good practice.

This is a unique opportunity to shape Scotlands built environment and influence how design improves lives supports communities and contributes to a sustainable future.

Hear directly from Mr Angus Robertson Cabinet Secretary for Constitution External Affairs and Culture on the role and its importance. You can view his short message byclicking on this link.

For more information or an informal discussion please contact Jim MacDonald CEO A&DS at.You can also find out more about A&DSon their website.

An online information session will be held on Wednesday 25 February 18:30-19:30 where you are invited to ask questions about the role. More details are available here.

REMUNERATION AND TIME COMMITMENT

The Chair appointment is remunerated at the gross daily rate of 218.38 per day providing a yearly remuneration of 10482.24 You will also receive reimbursement for reasonable travel expenses and reasonable child care/carer costs incurred whilst undertaking Chair duties.The appointment is not pensionable.

The time commitment for the Chair is around 4 days a month (48 days per year).

This appointment will be for up to 4 years in the first instance.

It should be noted that the 2025 review of A&DS recommended that the body may be merged or nested within another host public body. Any future changes to the structure of A&DS may have implications for the responsibilities and tenure of the Chair and Board members.

Qualifications

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

To apply applicants must submit a tailored career history of no more than 500 words along with a statement of evidence of up to 1500 words demonstrating clearly how they meet the criteria listed below:

Priority Criterion 1 - Leading through strategic change
Essential Criterion 1 - Understanding the value and impact of Architecture and Design
Essential Criterion 2 - Ability to chair a board

Applicants who most closely meet these requirements will be invited to interview and asked to undertake an assessment task addressing all the criteria (Priority and Essential).

APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK

Before applying please read theApplicant Information Pack. The Pack includes further information on the role and additional details on the criteria being assessed.

TO APPLY FOR THE ROLE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:

Download and save theApplicant Information Packto refer back to.
Read the person specification and how to apply section in the Applicant Pack.
Navigate back to this job advert and click apply.
Complete the personal information and conflict of interest questions.
Provide all evidence requested in the Application Pack ensuring you adhere to the stated word limits.
PLEASE NOTE you do not have the option to edit your application once you click submit. You must have all your information and attachments to hand before submitting your application.

Late applications cannot be considered by the panel.

Full details on how to apply and the evidence that should be submitted at the application stage are set out at pages11 - 14 of the Applicant Information Pack.

Completed applications must be submitted by23:59 on Monday 16 March 2026.

ABOUT PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS

Public appointments are made by Scottish Ministers. The appointments process is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner you can find out more about the Commissioner here:Public appointments Ethical Standards Commissioner

EQUALITY STATEMENT

Scottish ministers value highly the benefits of diverse Public Body Boards. Having a diverse Board improves the decision making of the Board and builds a vibrant and creative culture which is better able to respond to the diverse needs of communities. We welcome applications from people who can bring their diverse perspectives to our work and who meet the requirements of this role.

Scottish ministers particularly welcome applications from protected characteristics and groups currently under-represented on Scotlands Public Bodies. These include women disabled people young people black and minority ethnic groups and LGBTI. The public appointments process promotes demonstrates and upholds equality of opportunity for all applicants.

Find out more about ourcommitment todiversity.

If youhave a disability and require an adjustment at any stage of the public appointments process please get in touch with the Scottish Government Public Appointments Team by email at.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Public Appointments - Guidance and Support for applicants
FAQs about the application process.

Required Experience:

Staff IC

DescriptionDo you want to lead Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) into a new chapter of transformation and increased impactA&DS was established as a public body in 2005 and is a national champion for good design of the built environment helping to shape the places and buildings that influence o...