Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Networks

Power the future of public services, transforming infrastructure, networks, and platforms across the Scottish Government.

We are seeking a strategic and experienced digital leader, with a strong track record of delivering large-scale technology services and leading high-performing teams, to help shape and drive the future of public services in Scotland.

The technologies and services delivered and supported by Corporate Operations are critical to the effective running and management of the Scottish Government, and the many bodies who share these services. We will deliver, support and embed many technology and support services that will help make the Scottish Government one of the most effective and efficient organisations in their peer group, globally.

This role sits within the Technology group of the DDaT profession at SCS1, with the postholder responsible for leading operational delivery of technology infrastructure, platforms and services for Scottish Government and shared services customers in the central government sector across Scotland.

The post holder will lead a team of 100+ DDaT professionals within the functional areas of SCOTS Architecture Management, Identity and SCOTS Access, Back Office Network Management and Corporate / Back Office Cloud Platforms.

As a leader within the Digital Officer Role Group within the Scottish Government’s Digital, Data and Technology profession, the post holder will ensure that we run, optimise and transform our networks / infrastructure, desktop and mobile capabilities on an ongoing basis.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the organisation’s infrastructure is secure, modern, cloud enabled, and fully aligned with strategic goals, while continuously moving away from on premise environments.
• Drive innovation by ensuring infrastructure removes barriers to using corporate applications, automation, Power Platform, AI, and mobile solutions, and by enabling other technology layers to leverage new capabilities.
• Develop and implement device and infrastructure strategies that balance flexibility, security, compliance, and diverse organisational needs, while modernising within agreed budgets.
• Maximise value from suppliers by adopting relevant innovations, utilising value added services, and making strong, evidence based cases for investment where appropriate.
• Build strong collaboration across technology teams, architects, and wider Scottish Government partners to ensure infrastructure effectively supports end to end solutions and shared service propositions for Scotland.
• Establish and sustain a capable, professional infrastructure team that can manage the platform, reduce operational risk, deliver dependable shared services, and promote digital services across the central government landscape.

Success Profile

It is essential that you can provide evidence of the following lead criteria and experience points below within your CV and supporting statement.

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

Demonstrate strong, strategic leadership of large-scale IT infrastructure and technical operations, with a proven ability to deliver complex programmes, manage significant budgets, and align technology services with organisational priorities. Be digitally literate, with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, suppliers and stakeholders to shape and define the best approach to service design. Brings demonstrable experience of agile delivery methodologies, open-source technologies, cloud platforms and digital services at scale, alongside deep expertise in a relevant digital, data or technology domain.

Experience:

• Proven leadership: A history of leading teams and managing technical operations or infrastructure projects.
• Large-scale infrastructure management: Direct experience managing the infrastructure for a large organisation, including upgrades, migrations, and disaster recovery plans.
• Project delivery: A track record of successfully managing and delivering complex IT projects.
• Budget and financial management: Experience managing significant budgets and allocating resources to meet business objectives.
• Strategic alignment: Experience in aligning IT infrastructure strategy with broader business goals.
• Reporting to leadership: The ability to present performance reports, risks, and system health to senior leadership.
• Vendor and contract management: Experience in negotiating with and managing vendors to ensure services and hardware are provided effectively.
• Cybersecurity principles, data management, and IT service management frameworks like ITIL is also valued.

Behaviours: Level 5

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self & Others
• Seeing The Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - : Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the lead criteria and experience listed in the Success Profile above. Behaviours will be tested at Interview.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of psychometric assessment, staff engagement panel and interview with a short presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 31 August however this may be subject to change.

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.

Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy.
You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.