Digital and Infrastructure Manager - C1 in Edinburgh

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers.' Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Digital & Infrastructure Manager to lead the development of the digital foundations for More Homes Scotland. This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in establishing a new Executive Agency, shaping its digital strategy, infrastructure and technology services from the ground up. Working closely with senior leaders and digital specialists across Scottish Government, you will lead a critical workstream that ensures the agency is digitally enabled, operationally ready and equipped to deliver its objectives from day one.

About the new Agency and Team:

More Homes Scotland is being established as a new Executive Agency of the Scottish Government in response to the scale and urgency of Scotland's housing challenges and the need for a stronger, more delivery focused approach to housing supply.

The creation of More Homes Scotland reflects a commitment to address these challenges by simplifying how housing delivery is supported, strengthening operational focus, and enabling greater scale and speed of delivery across all tenures.

To support the move from programme design to implementation, a dedicated, time-limited Transition team has been established. The Transition Team's primary goal is to design, coordinate and oversee the establishment of More Homes Scotland, ensuring the agency is set up in a coherent, well-governed, and deliverable way.

The team will:

• Develop the agency's Target Operating Model, clarifying its core functions, roles, and ways of working.
• Coordinate governance, assurance, finance and resourcing actively to ensure readiness for implementation.
• Support informed Ministerial decision making and alignment with wider public service reform objectives.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Scottish Government and with stakeholders to draw on delivery expertise and share the agency's design.

The Transition Team will play a critical role in ensuring More Homes Scotland is positioned to move confidently into its next phase, with clear purpose, strong foundations and a shared understanding of how it will operate and add value.

Overview of the role:

The Digital & Infrastructure Manager is the senior lead responsible for the Digital & Infrastructure workstream within the More Homes Scotland Transition Programme. The postholder will lead the design, development, and implementation of the digital, technology, and infrastructure arrangements required to establish More Homes Scotland as a new Executive Agency, ensuring it is digitally enabled, operationally read, and equipped to deliver its objectives from launch.

Working across the Transition Team and in partnership with Scottish Government Digital, Data, and Technology services and other key stakeholders, the post holder will provide strategic leadership on digital services, service design, and technology delivery. They will oversee the development of the agency's digital operating model, lead significant digital implementation activity, manage allocated resources and budgets, and ensure digital workstreams are effectively integrated into wider organisational design and delivery.

The post holder exercises significant autonomy and influence, providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior leaders on digital investment, technology solutions, service readiness, and implementation priorities, and is accountable for ensuring digital and infrastructure arrangements support the successful transition from programme design to operational delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Digital & Infrastructure workstream within the More Homes Scotland Transition Programme, with accountability for the successful design, development and implementation of the agency's digital and technology arrangements from design through to operational delivery.
• Act as the senior lead for all digital, infrastructure and technology-related aspects of agency transition, ensuring digital considerations are fully integrated into organisational design, governance, workforce planning and operational readiness.
• Establish the digital operating model for More Homes Scotland, recommending future governance, service management, support and delivery arrangements to ensure the agency is equipped for long-term success.
• Lead the development and implementation of the agency's digital and infrastructure roadmap, agreeing priorities, milestones and dependencies across multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
• Hold responsibility for allocated programme budgets and digital investment associated with transition activity, ensuring effective financial management, value for money, robust governance and accurate forecasting.
• Lead engagement and negotiation with Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology colleagues and other key delivery partners to secure the systems, services, infrastructure and support arrangements required for agency launch.
• Oversee the specification, design, procurement and implementation of digital systems, platforms and infrastructure required to support the agency's operational model and future service delivery.
• Provide expert strategic advice and recommendations to the Programme Director, Senior Responsible Owner and senior leaders on digital strategy, infrastructure investment, technology risks and delivery options, shaping key organisational decisions.
• Lead the planning and delivery of the transition of digital assets, services and infrastructure from existing Scottish Government arrangements to More Homes Scotland, ensuring continuity of service and operational resilience.
• Establish governance, assurance and risk management arrangements for digital and infrastructure activity, ensuring compliance with Scottish Government standards, security requirements and audit expectations.
• Act as the senior owner for digital readiness across the transition programme, providing assurance to programme governance boards that systems, infrastructure, processes and capabilities are in place to support agency launch.
• Represent the programme at senior cross-government forums and stakeholder engagements on matters relating to digital delivery, infrastructure, technology and organisational readiness.
• Identify and resolve complex strategic issues, risks and interdependencies that could affect the successful establishment of More Homes Scotland, exercising significant autonomy and judgement in developing solutions and recommendations.
• Provide leadership and management to staff, contractors or specialist resources supporting digital and infrastructure delivery, building capability and ensuring delivery of programme priorities.
• Work flexibly across the Transition Team, responding to evolving priorities and supporting delivery in a fast-paced and high-profile environment.

Essential experience

• Experience of leading digital or infrastructure delivery within a complex organisational or programme environment, including overseeing the development of systems, platforms, or user-facing digital services.
• Experience of working with digital, data, and technology specialists to design and implement solutions aligned to organisational standards, including accessibility, security, and architecture requirements.
• Demonstrable experience of shaping digital strategy or approaches, translating organisational needs into practical, user-centred digital services and infrastructure.
• Experience of engaging and influencing a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, to agree requirements, manage competing priorities, and support delivery of digital outcomes.

Working Pattern

This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 18 months, with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 grade employees.

Please submit your CV and a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (max. 500 words).

Vacancy closes at 23:59 on Thursday 16 July.

If you have questions about your application, please contact MoreHomesScotlandAgencyTeam@gov.scot

Selection Process

All applicants will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager. There will be no formal testing or assessment.

Discussions are expected to be scheduled for w/c TBC.

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.

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

Security checks

Successful candidates must have completed the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed.

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.

Apply before Thursday 16 July (23:59).