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- Tasks: Lead ADS Scotland's activities, shaping strategy and driving membership growth.
- Company: ADS is a key player in aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for travel and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Scotland's industrial strategy and member engagement.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in aerospace, defence, or advanced manufacturing sectors.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Director of ADS Scotland will lead the organisations activities across Scotland, representing and advancing the interests of members in the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors. This is a senior leadership role, responsible for shaping regional strategy, building powerful stakeholder relationships, and driving membership growth and engagement. The postholder will ensure that Scotland remains a strong contributor to the UK’s national industrial strategy and that ADS members in the region are well supported, connected, and represented.
The Regional Director will represent and champion the interests of ADS members in Scotland, building strong partnerships with government, academia, and industry to drive innovation and competitiveness. They will play a key role in influencing industrial strategy and economic policy, while also growing and energising the membership to strengthen the regional ecosystem. The role directly reports to the Chief of Staff with three direct reports.
The role includes responsibility for developing and managing the annual regional delivery plan and budget, maintaining effective cost control, and ensuring strong return on investment from all regional activities. The successful candidate will also generate income through events, sponsorship, and membership growth. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to shape the future of the advanced engineering and defence sectors across Scotland.
The Key Relationships- Member companies across Scotland
- Scottish government departments and agencies, regional and local government stakeholders
- ADS HQ and UK regional teams
- Academic and research institutions
- Partner organisations, clusters, and industry associations
The ideal candidate will be a strategic and influential leader who can translate organisational goals into clear regional priorities and actions. They will bring proven senior-level leadership experience within the aerospace, defence, security, or space sectors, or a closely related advanced manufacturing or technology industry. With a strong understanding of the economic and policy landscape in Scotland, they will be politically aware, emotionally intelligent, and comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments.
They will be an exceptional communicator with strong interpersonal and networking skills, able to represent members' interests confidently at senior levels across industry, government, and academia. As a collaborative leader, they will build trust, develop high-quality relationships, and motivate diverse stakeholders to achieve shared objectives. Experience in leading and inspiring a small, high-performing team while working effectively with national or international colleagues is essential.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong project management and organisational capability, balancing multiple priorities across policy, member engagement, and events. They will be results-focused and entrepreneurial, identifying opportunities for growth and delivering measurable outcomes. Commercial and financial acumen, including budget management, will be key to their success.
They will be flexible, self-motivated, and comfortable working independently while remaining an active member of a wider UK team. Integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of public purpose and member service are vital attributes. The successful candidate will also be digitally confident, using CRM systems, analytics tools, and modern communication platforms to support engagement and reporting.
This is a role for a confident, credible leader, equally at ease in boardrooms, government meetings, and factory floors. A willingness to travel extensively across Scotland and the UK is required.
The Contract & BenefitsContract: Permanent, full-time role, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week.
Location: Hybrid working - 3 days in the designated ADS Scotland office, Edinburgh and 2 days from home, with regular travel across Scotland and the wider UK as required.
Benefits: bonus, pension, private health insurance, life insurance, season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme, 9-day fortnight, hybrid working, extended remote working, enhanced parental leave, 28 days annual leave, buy additional annual leave, long service additional annual leave.
Director in Edinburgh employer: ADS Group Ltd
Contact Detail:
ADS Group Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you’re chatting with industry folks, make sure to highlight your experience and knowledge. Share insights on regional strategies or recent trends in the sector. This will position you as a thought leader and someone who truly understands the landscape.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for opportunities to come to you. Reach out to organisations you admire, express your interest in their work, and ask how you can contribute. This shows initiative and can lead to unexpected opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that dream job. Plus, applying directly through us means you’ll be in the loop for any updates and can easily track your application status. Let’s get you started on this exciting journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Director in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in aerospace, defence, security, or space sectors. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Director at ADS Scotland!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This is a senior leadership role, so don’t hold back on sharing examples of how you've led teams and influenced stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate others, so let that shine through!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at ADS Group Ltd
✨Know Your Sector Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors. Research current trends, challenges, and opportunities within these industries. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to influence industrial strategy during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built relationships with stakeholders and motivated diverse groups to achieve shared objectives. This is crucial for a senior role like Director.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since budget management is key for this role, come prepared with examples of how you've effectively managed budgets and delivered measurable outcomes. Highlight any experience you have with generating income through events or sponsorships, as this will show your entrepreneurial spirit.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Think about potential scenarios you might face in this role and how you would handle them. Whether it’s building partnerships with government or addressing member concerns, being able to articulate your approach will showcase your problem-solving skills and readiness for the challenges ahead.