Job Description

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 Director's 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 Director's 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 Director's Office team consists of the Head of Director's 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 Directorate's 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 Andrew's 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 Directorate's 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

Technical / Professional Skills:

Operational leadership and management (Practitioner)

• Sets a compelling sense of direction and purpose for the team and builds costed, measurable plans to secure and maintain delivery excellence.
• Systematically manages risks which might impact on service delivery, using Risk Registers, Certificates of Assurance etc.
• Leads teams to ensure delivery is achieved within legal, regulatory and policy frameworks, and to promote a culture of compliance (where required).

Delivery and decision making as speed (Practitioner)

• Assesses and resets workloads as priorities change and supports team to sustain their resilience under pressure.
• Empowers team to make decisions and to intervene to help expediate processes to outcomes for customers, but within policy and risk tolerance (e.g. when things good enough to proceed).
• Designs efficient end-to-end processes that reduces steps, duplication and potential blockages.

You can find out more about the Operational Delivery Profession skills here - ODP Competency Framework

Experience

Experience is required of leading operational transition in business management role, with evidence of leading learning and development across teams.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government 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.

This post is based in Atlantic Quay 5 and in line with our current ways of working, our team follows a hybrid working approach, where colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (working from home) depending on the requirements of the role and personal circumstances. Travel is required to support teams across AQ, SAH, VQ and Saughton House, and some on call or weekend working may occasionally be required to support project delivery.

How to apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 grade employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Friday 25 September

If you have questions about your application please contact frances.pacitti@gov.scot

Selection Process

All applicants will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager. There will be no formal testing or assessment.

Discussions are expected to be scheduled for w/c TBC.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.