Head of Development Unit C2

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently Priority Movers. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Regulation to enhance our built environment is central to our vision for communities. The Building Standards Division based at Denholm House in Livingston is part of the DG Communities and the Directorate for Housing of Scottish Government. The Division creates and maintains our Scottish building standards system working in partnership with local authorities in its delivery. We set building regulations processes standards and technical guidance to provide assurance that the buildings we deliver are safe efficient and sustainable.

Job Description

The Development Unit is one of three units in Building Standards Division. The post holder will report to the Deputy Director (Head of Building Standards Division). The Unit has two teams Compliance and Digital and Delivery Model and Research.

Following the fire at Grenfell Tower London and building failures at Edinburgh Schools and DG One the Development Unit was created to take forward work to support the Ministerial Working Group on Building and Fire (Safety) and the Building Standards Futures Board improvement programme via seven workstreams.

This work has been ongoing since 2019 and to date has delivered the most significant changes to the BS system since the Building (Scotland) Act 2003 came into effect in 2005. This includes a national building standards hub and a 3 year fees model providing the resources needed for local authority verifiers to support the necessary changes and the delivery of compliant safe buildings.

The work is not complete and the team is currently within an intensive delivery phase and work plan. To deliver the remaining degree of transformational change it considered essential that the team has ongoing strong and effective leadership.

We will consider candidates with appropriate experience and track record in delivery. Experience of the building industry is beneficial but programme / project manager skills are also required.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Development Unit.
• Provide strategic leadership of the programme of work of the Futures Board working closely with the SOLACE Chair Cosla Local Authority verifiers Local Authority Building Standards Scotland and key stakeholders across the construction sector.
• Lead research and development activity collaborative learning and stakeholder consultation to develop and deliver the Scottish Building Standards Futures Board programme of work and relevant Grenfell Response Report commitments.
• Deliver the programme including legislation changes using robust governance and reporting methods to ensure that it is delivered on time and within budget.
• Lead activities on certification and the recently reset certification strategy.
• Manage the research and spend programme working with teams across the Division.

Person specification:

Experience:

• Knowledge of the building standards system.