Job Description

Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment.

The Scottish Government remains committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness. This programme underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to connecting Scotland’s cities with a high quality transport system that will generate economic growth.

With work continuing across the route including live construction contracts and advance works together with planning and procurement of further sections, this is an exciting time to join the team.

Responsibilities

The Scottish Government is committed to completing the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness.This programme underlines the Scottish Government’s commitment to connecting Scotland’s cities with a high quality transport system that will generate economic growth.

It is an exciting time in the A9 Dualling team with construction already underway on two sections between Tomatin to Moy and Tay Crossing to Ballinluig, multiple advance works contracts, award expected for construction of the Pitlochry to Killiecrankie section in Autumn 2026, procurement starting this Spring on the £1.94 bn Framework Agreement covering the remaining five sections and further procurements taking place following this.

• The A9 Dualling Programme Communications Manager is responsible for providing oversight, management, support and direction on communications issues to the A9 Dualling Project Delivery team, including supporting Ministers and being responsible for the management of all communications associated with the delivery of the A9 Dualling Programme and a team of strategic communications managers.

• The role involves implementing and updating as required the Communications Strategy for the A9 Dualling Programme, overseeing the delivery of communications around key Programme and project milestone outcomes and commitments to ensure optimum exposure for the Programme, Scottish Ministers and Transport Scotland. This will include preparing forward plans of media engagement opportunities linked to programme milestones/benefits and coordinating multiple strands of communications activity involving a range of internal project teams as well as other areas of Transport Scotland, policy areas and the wider Scottish Government.

• The post holder will support and work closely with Transport Scotland’s news team and in partnership with specialist external resources to deliver a range of communications to support the delivery of clear, accurate and consistent messaging to all stakeholders involved, including facilitating Ministerial engagement to maximise outcomes from the A9 Dualling Programme. The post holder may also work with SG’s Marketing and Brand team to deliver marketing activity.

• Whilst the post is for a role within the A9 Dualling team, the post holder will be required to support Transport Scotland’s news team (which includes taking part in the communications on call rota and supporting major resilience events) and flexibility will be required to work across the Directorate as priorities and projects dictate.

Experience:

1. Evidence of balancing competing organisational priorities and leading, building and maintaining constructive and collaborative relationships, including the ability to effectively present strategic communications thinking, seek buy-in for new strategies and influence decision making at the highest level.
2. First rate written and verbal communications skills, plus a strong understanding of complex political, policy and communications environments.
3. Significant experience of working directly with the media with a good knowledge of Scotland’s media and public affairs landscape.
   

This post is based in 177 Bothwell Street, Glasgow. This post is based in 177 Bothwell Street, Glasgow. Transport Scotland staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

You will be required to visit contractors site offices and attend site and other locations, as necessary, for the role.

The post is a full time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

Pay supplement
These are specialist posts and carry the communications pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum pro rata rising to £5,000 on completion of 12 months’ successful service. This is paid in addition to salary.