Head of Director's Office C1

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.

The Director for Business and Better Regulation is seeking a dynamic delivery-focused Head of Directors Office to join the team and support the leadership of a fast-paced Directorate during a period of change. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage competing priorities effectively maintaining high standards of delivery while responding flexibly to changing business needs.

The role involves managing operational support teams and overseeing business operations managing the delivery of a full range of business operation services to support the effective working of all staff.

The Directorate for Business and Better Regulation within DG Economy currently comprises two divisions: the Business Relationships Tourism and Retail Division and the Major Events Division. It is entering a period of change as new division(s) join the directorate. We work collaboratively with colleagues across the Scottish Government its agencies stakeholders and delivery partners to enhance the visitor economy and support tourism and retail policy development and project delivery. We also lead the delivery of a programme of major events across Scotland.

The successful candidate will lead and develop the Directors Office team while ensuring effective business management and assurance across the Directorate. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to business planning risk management governance recruitment financial management the management of complex performance and attendance issues and supporting DG assurance processes. You will be familiar with collaborative working practices and have experience of matrix and programme management techniques to support directorate governance. You will be familiar with the requirements of both policy and project delivery governance. The postholder will also support the Director in a range of corporate roles working across DG Economy to help drive organisational improvement and change in relation to DG Economy wide People related initiatives and supporting the Director in her capacity as Senior Strategic Lead for civil contingencies.

The Directors Office team consists of the Head of Directors Office a B3 Directorate Business Manager a B2 Business Support Officer a B1 Executive Assistant and an A4 Personal Assistant. Your team will change as new division(s) join the directorate. The successful candidate will lead that change within the team and across the directorate as a whole.

This post holder will support the Directorates Senior Leadership Team comprising the Director and Deputy Directors. The post holder will also chair the directorate C band network. While the post will be primarily focused on business management there will also be opportunities to support project and policy delivery across the Directorate as required.

We are a diverse team and we support flexible working practices. However given the nature of the directorate portfolio responsibilities there will be occasions when weekend and on-call working is required.

We currently operate a hybrid working model. The Directorate is based across the Central Belt and the successful candidate will be expected to work in person with teams across St Andrews House Victoria Quay Atlantic Quay and Saughton House. Attendance is line with corporate policies which currently require in person working for a minimum of two days each week. This visible leadership presence is important in supporting teams across all Directorate locations. Attendance requirements may increase during peak delivery periods throughout the year.

Typical role responsibilities:

• Lead manage and develop a high-performing Business Support team providing effective leadership direction and coaching to ensure the delivery of high-quality business management services across the Directorate.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior leaders and colleagues across the Directorate DG Economy and the wider Scottish Government as well as with Ministerial Private Office and the DG Office ensuring effective coordination and communication.
• Lead and oversee complex attendance performance and people management issues providing expert advice and ensuring compliance with Scottish Government policies and procedures. Manage and deliver organisational development and workforce change activity including restructuring initiatives while monitoring associated risks and providing assurance and recommendations to the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Respond flexibly to emerging priorities and high-profile issues providing business management support and leadership across the Directorate as required.
• Support the Director in their role as DG Economy Civil Contingencies Lead ensuring appropriate planning coordination and response arrangements are in place.
• Support the Director in their role as DG Economy People Lead ensuring appropriate planning coordination and response arrangements are in place.
• Act as the Directorates Senior Business Manager within Oracle Cloud providing oversight of workforce finance and business management processes.
• Lead recruitment and workforce planning activity across the Directorate applying a sound understanding of Scottish Government HR policies and procedures to support strategic workforce decisions.
• Provide oversight and assurance of Directorate governance and accountability arrangements including business planning risk management financial management and performance reporting.
• Provide strategic workforce planning advice to the Director and Senior Leadership Team ensuring clear links are made between organisational priorities resource requirements risks and recruitment activity.
• Drive the continuous improvement of business processes systems and ways of working promoting efficiency consistency and best practice across the Directorate