Deputy Director for Corporate Applications and Support Services in Edinburgh

Help shape the future of government operations by delivering technology that empowers people, protects data, and enables smarter working.

We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking digital leader, with proven experience of modernising complex application landscapes and delivering value through corporate technology, to help transform how the Scottish Government operates.

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.

The technology and applications at the heart of our Corporate Operations capabilities must be fit for purpose, make a significant contribution to operational effectiveness and efficiency, and enable government to fulfil many responsibilities.

Our corporate applications need to be secure, implement controls, facilitate processes, protect data, help colleagues collaborate, create, store and recall files, generate content, publish information. These applications must form part of an integrated and high functioning ecosystem or ‘platform’ that together enables our staff to do their best work. This is not however our current reality. There are many gaps, many end-of-life solutions and many standalone isolated tools implemented many years ago.

One of the key challenges of this role will be to make every investment in corporate technology count, so that it yields the best possible outcome and inspires ongoing investment and development of the corporate platform. In doing this, the role holder and team, together with other Corporate Operations colleagues, can make a very significant contribution to the modernisation and effectiveness of internal processes and capabilities.

This role sits within the Technology group of the DDaT profession at SCS1.

Responsibilities

• Shape and communicate a clear vision for an optimised corporate platform, engaging senior stakeholders to encourage ideas, investment, and shared understanding.
• Lead the selection, integration, and continuous improvement of platform technologies, ensuring they form a coherent and effective end to end ecosystem.
• Build and develop capability across teams by creating aligned development and improvement plans, blending internal and external skills, and ensuring the organisation can fully own and operate its technology.
• Oversee platform operations, including SaaS upgrades, system performance, and overall platform health, ensuring sustainability, security, accessibility, and timely enhancements.
• Drive continuous improvement, proactively identifying opportunities to increase value, features, innovation, and service quality informed by customer feedback and user engagement.
• Deliver a responsive, transparent support service and design the platform to be suitable for shared service use, supported by effective monitoring, feedback loops, and user centred processes.

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.
Lead Criteria:

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

Demonstrates strategic leadership across enterprise IT ecosystems and digital transformation programmes, with a proven ability to deliver complex technology change in large organisations. Skilled at integrating diverse systems and aligning digital services with organisational and government standards. Be digitally literate, with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, suppliers and stakeholders to shape and define optimal service design approaches. 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:

• Extensive experience in enterprise IT or digital transformation, ideally within public sector or large-scale organisations.
• Experience managing complex application ecosystems, including SaaS, custom-built, and legacy systems.
• Track record of leading cross-functional teams, including architecture, infrastructure, operations, and delivery.
• Experience with procurement and vendor management, especially in selecting and integrating new technologies.
• Familiarity with government digital service standards, accessibility, and sustainability principles
• Experience leading or supporting large-scale technology delivery projects.

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 the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 37 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.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

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.

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, , or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.