EOI - Deputy Director for Corporate Applications and Support Services in Edinburgh

Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer to apply for this post. 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, and so on. 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.

Qualifications

The role holder will intuitively understand the potential value of a capable, optimised corporate platform of integrated solutions. They will understand the power of technology to transform processes, improve capability and yield efficiency gains. The successful candidate will have been involved in the implementation of technologies designed to transform processes and operational capabilities. They will be familiar and comfortable with today’s SaaS products, cloud computing and be, at the very least, highly enthusiastic about emergent AI and Agentic AI solutions. The ability to help others visualise the outcomes and benefits, to build confidence will be key.

It is essential that you can provide evidence of the following behaviours, technical and experience points below.

Behaviours:

• Leadership – level 5
• Developing Self and Others – level 5
• Working Together – level 5
• Delivering at pace – level 5

Technical:

• Digital, data, technology - Be literate in DDaT practices – be capable of effectively engaging with technical staff, suppliers and stakeholders to define the best approach to service design.
• Have demonstrable experience of agile project management, open source, cloud platforms and digital services at scale.
• Have specific digital, data or technology domain skills and experience, dependent on the role.

Experience:

• Strong experience in digital or technology-led change, ideally within the public sector or large, complex organisations.
• Experience overseeing a broad range of systems and tools, including cloud‑based services, in‑house applications, and older platforms.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, bringing together a mix of operational, delivery, and specialist roles.
• Experience with procurement and supplier management, including choosing and introducing new tools or services.
• Awareness of government digital expectations, including accessibility requirements and sustainability considerations.
• Experience leading or supporting large, organisation‑wide technology initiatives from planning through to delivery.

This post is based in Edinburgh or Glasgow although as with most areas across the organisation, virtual & hybrid working is the current arrangement. Applicants on any working patterns are welcome to apply for this post. If you are interested in applying on a job-share basis, please make clear in your expression of interest if you wish to be considered as a pre-existing job-share partnership or if you are interested in moving into a job-share arrangement. We will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for the post and discuss all options with candidates.

You can find guidance on applying for SCS roles as a job sharer, whether you have a job share partner or not. Our standard hours are 37 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles 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.

Further information about this opportunity is available from Brian Reid - Brian.Reid2@gov.scot. Your expression of interest should be submitted by 12 May 2026, 23:55. The expression of interest, which should be no longer than 1,500 words, should explain why this would be a great opportunity for you at this stage in your career and what you would bring to the role. The note should confirm that you have discussed the opportunity with your Director and that they would be content to release you if the application is successful.

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 not your own applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Selection Process

The selection process will be short and light touch. Candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to an informal discussion with the recruiting manager and panel by the end of May. They will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the opportunity.