Head of Engagement and Communications in Aviemore

About Us:

The Scottish Food Commission was established as a new independent statutory body within the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act 2022. The Commission’s purpose: to provide stewardship and oversight of Scotland’s Good Food Nation ambition, and to support progress towards a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system for all. The Commission are now recruiting our first senior staff team. These initial roles will shape how the Commission operates, how it scrutinises evidence and policy, how it engages with relevant authorities and communities, and how it communicates its work with clarity, independence and impact. We should at the outset make you aware that there is a Programme for Government (PfG) commitment for the Commission to be integrated into Food Standards Scotland, and with this planned integration is the possibility that organisational structures, policies and processes, as well as aspects of the roles may change over time. Whilst we do not expect these changes to be forthcoming imminently, if there are any changes before the appointment start date, these will be communicated with the successful candidate. We do not however expect there to be any changes to the role itself.

Equalities:

The Scottish Food Commission is an inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. We want this recruitment process to be inclusive. Candidates will be invited to tell us about any reasonable adjustments needed in relation to the application process, assessment exercise or interview.

The Role:

The Head of Engagement and Communications is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the Commission’s engagement across the food system particularly with the Relevant Authorities, interested parties’ relationships, public involvement, communications strategy, digital channels, publications and public profile, giving you the opportunity to lead on shaping how a new national body connects with people and organisations across Scotland’s food system. This is a chance to bring strategic communications, relationship‑building and public engagement together in a role with real purpose and visibility. You will ensure the Commission engages diverse perspectives, including relevant authorities, communities, people with lived experience of food‑related issues, children and young people, and interested parties across Scotland’s food system. In practice, you will ensure a wide range of voices are heard, including those who are often less involved in decision‑making. If you are passionate about inclusive engagement and creating trusted spaces for people to contribute, this role gives you a strong platform to make that happen. You will lead communications that make the Commission’s work clear, accessible, inclusive and impactful, while safeguarding its statutory independence and reputation as a credible and constructive body. You will help people understand the role of the Commission and its work. You will play an important part in building confidence in the Commission’s independence, credibility and public value. You will work closely with the Head of Policy and Research to ensure engagement informs scrutiny, evidence, advice and recommendations, and with Corporate Services to ensure publication processes, organisational coordination and corporate requirements are well managed. This means, working collaboratively with colleagues across the senior team, helping to turn engagement insight into practical evidence, advice and recommendations. This is a role where your ability to connect people, ideas and processes will be highly valued.

The role requires excellent engagement, facilitation, relationship‑building and strategic communications capability, with strong judgement in handling sensitive or high‑profile issues. You can expect to demonstrate your confidence in working with people, ability to navigate complexity with sensitivity and calm judgement, and represent the organisation on issues that matter. As a member of the Senior Management Team, you will also have an organisational leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and other Heads of Function to ensure the Commission is effective, independent, collaborative and influential. Giving you the opportunity to be part of the organisation’s senior leadership from the outset, helping to shape its culture, ways of working and external influence.

So, if you are keen to be our Head of Engagement and Communications and you can display the skills and experience listed here, this is the role you’ve been waiting for. Further information regarding the role can be found in the recruitment pack and job description.

Scottish Food Commission Benefits:

25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus Public HolidaysFlexible working Salary sacrifice schemes Civil service pension scheme – some of the benefits include:member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sectortax relief on your contributionsgenerous employer contributionsa secure, inflation-proof pension for life, with no investment uncertaintythe option of tax-free lump sum on retirementpotential access to ill health and injury benefits if you become too ill to worklife assurance coverbenefits for loved ones and dependantskeeping all your pensions in one place by transferring in a pension you have built up elsewhere

About You:

A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience Experience of leading inclusive engagement and communications Awareness of food systems policy context Exemplary communication skills Experience developing communications strategies, plans, and publications Ability to communicate complex issues clearly Strong judgement in handling sensitive, high‑profile or reputational matters Ability to gather, interpret and present engagement insight clearly to inform scrutiny, advice and recommendations Understanding of how lived experience, public insight and expert perspectives can inform policy and decisions Strong management skills and the ability to lead staff Ability to provide organisational leadership Experience of business planning and budget management Current UK Driving Licence and Willingness to travel Permission to work in the UK