Inaugural Chief Executive

The Scottish Food Commission is looking to appoint its first Chief Executive. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the Scottish food policy landscape. The Scottish Food Commission is a new executive non-departmental public body that is being established to provide oversight over provisions made in the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022.

The inaugural Chief Executive will lead the Commission in building relationships with Scottish Ministers, local authorities and health boards to assist in their Good Food Nation Plans, as well as exerting their soft leadership skills to promote the role of Good Food Nation Plans across Scotland. The Good Food Nation policy attracts a substantial amount of interest within the food policy landscape. The Scottish Food Commission will likely be targeted by a diverse range of organisations, groups and individuals that have an interest in shaping the food system. As Chief Executive you will have to handle these competing interests and competently navigate this so that the Scottish Food Commission remains a well-regarded organisation.

We are looking for candidates with a track record of management and ability to work at pace to develop the organisational structures of this new organisation. You will be able to lead on shaping and developing this new organisation into an effective and well regarded new public body.

Knowledge and skills Experience:

• Exceptional record of achievement at Director, Chief Executive or equivalent level in an organisation of comparable complexity and size.
• Leading, and managing, at a senior level through a period of significant development and change in a challenging economic environment.
• Experience of the preparation and implementation of strategic business plans.
• Proven experience of leading the creation, or improvement, of a national programme or organisation.
• Experience of leading confidently and working collaboratively with a board or senior leadership team to design and introduce new or improved strategies, programmes, systems, corporate policies, and organisation.
• Experience of building influential relationships with sponsors, partners and other relevant stakeholders that enable progression of the organisation’s objectives.
• Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills which inspire others to produce high level results.
• Demonstrable understanding of the duties placed on public bodies in the context of public service reform.
• Proven track record of managing resources responsibly.
• Familiarity with the duties placed on public bodies with regards to the responsible management of resources.
• Demonstrable experience of building and developing confident and responsive teams, within a strong workplace culture, which can deliver on the organisation’s goals.
• Proven experience of analysing complex information from a variety of sources, engaging specialists as required.
• Track record of communicating sensitive or complex information in a clear and confident way to meet the needs of audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and convincingly to engage a wide range of people and organisations.
• An understanding of the complexities of the food system.
• Familiarity with evaluation of policies and projects.
• Experience of working within the food system.
• Experience of creating and managing an effective digital media presence.

For further information please click Apply or for an informal conversation about the role please contact Orla Brennan of GatenbySanderson on 0113 205 6065.

Closing Date: 23.55hrs, Wednesday 2nd July 2025.