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- Tasks: Lead the Scottish Government's people agenda and oversee HR services.
- Company: Join a values-driven organisation focused on inclusion and employee wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £111,916 with potential for career growth.
- Other info: Edinburgh-based role with 2-3 days in the office; flexible working limited.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on workforce development in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Chartered FCIPD required; substantial strategic HR leadership experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 111916 - 111916 £ per year.
Expressions of interest are invited for this Director (SCS 2) role as Chief People Officer (CPO). The interim role is open to substantive SG staff and those who fall under Common Citizenship at Deputy Director (SCS 1) level on temporary promotion or Directors (SCS 2) on level transfer for up to 6 months whilst the post is out for external advert. Chartered FCIPD is a requirement of the role.
The Chief People Officer plays a vital role in shaping and strengthening our workforce, developing our people and ensuring we remain a values-driven, inclusive organisation where people can thrive. You will be operating within a complex and challenging environment where the people agenda is contested and where actions and decisions taken by the CPO and the function are highly visible.
Role and Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Scottish Government’s people agenda, advising the Permanent Secretary and senior leaders.
- Oversee the full suite of HR services, ensuring high-quality delivery across HR strategy, workforce planning, talent and leadership development, employee relations and reward, HR policy, casework, resourcing, diversity and inclusion, people analytics and the HR service centre.
- Sustain a values-led culture that fosters inclusion, supports wellbeing, strengthens psychological safety and encourages high performance.
- Ensure robust governance, accountability and performance across all HR and people functions, including oversight of a payroll operation of circa £870m and shared services supporting over 25,000 users.
- Champion innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement, ensuring that all HR services are modern, customer-centred and compliant with relevant policies, legislation and Civil Service standards.
For this interim assignment, the key priorities will be to ensure that the senior team in People Directorate are able to continue to operate at the highest level, that core functions remain stable and that key improvement activities progress. There will be a particular focus on finalising the People Directorate Business Plan for 26-27 as the post-election and Corporate Plan priorities are clarified. The capability review, people strategy and workforce planning initiatives will be central to the role along with next steps on hybrid. Operational priorities will be to provide leadership on our interface into the pensions recovery work, land the implementation of Oracle HR Helpdesk and the work on HR shared service centre improvement. Maintaining momentum on the directorate plans to deliver the reduction in FTE and live within budget will be critical.
Responsibilities Behaviours: You are expected to provide evidence of the following behaviours at Level 6.
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours.
Experience: Substantial strategic HR leadership experience, political awareness, sound judgement, and the confidence to work effectively with Executive Teams, Boards and complex stakeholder groups. The capability to lead and develop the People function, setting clear direction and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
Qualification: Chartered FCIPD is a requirement of the role.
Further Information
Further information about this opportunity is available from Miriam Craven, DG Corporate at DGCorporate@gov.scot or the current post holder Nicky Richards at Nicola.Richards@gov.scot. For this interim period, we are limited in the extent of flexible working that would be feasible for this full-time role. The role is Edinburgh based and 2-3 days per week in the office are required, across St Andrew’s House and Saughton House. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Salary on temporary promotion will be at the Director minimum of £111,916. On return to your substantive grade your salary will be adjusted accordingly.
How to apply
Apply online by midday on Tuesday 26th May providing your CV and expression of interest, which should be no longer than 500 words and 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 meet the qualification criteria and have discussed the opportunity with your Director/DG and that they would be content to release you quickly if the application is successful.
Selection Process
Candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to a discussion with Miriam and Shona Riach, DG Exchequer, Strategy & Performance. They will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the opportunity.
EOI/TP - Chief People Officer (SCS 2) in Edinburgh employer: Scottish Government
Contact Detail:
Scottish Government Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land EOI/TP - Chief People Officer (SCS 2) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HR field and let them know you're interested in the Chief People Officer role. A friendly chat can lead to insider info or even a referral, which can give you a leg up in the selection process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that discussion! Research the Scottish Government’s people agenda and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Jot down key points you want to highlight, especially around leadership and strategic direction.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your values! During your discussions, emphasise how you can foster an inclusive culture and support wellbeing. Share examples from your past roles where you've successfully led initiatives that align with these values.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the opportunity and ready to take the next step in your career.
We think you need these skills to ace EOI/TP - Chief People Officer (SCS 2) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Expression of Interest: Make sure your expression of interest is tailored specifically to the Chief People Officer role. Highlight your strategic HR leadership experience and how it aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Keep It Concise and Impactful: You've got a 500-word limit, so make every word count! Focus on your key achievements and how they relate to the role. We want to see your passion for shaping a values-driven, inclusive organisation.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your Chartered FCIPD qualification upfront. This is a must-have for the role, so make it clear that you meet this requirement right from the start.
Confirm Quick Release from Current Role: In your application, confirm that you've discussed this opportunity with your Director/DG and that they’re on board with a quick release if you're successful. This shows you're proactive and ready to hit the ground running!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Government
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Chief People Officer role. Brush up on strategic HR leadership, workforce planning, and the importance of a values-driven culture. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready to take on the challenge.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience and how you've influenced change in previous roles. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed a team or led a project that aligns with the responsibilities of this position. This is your chance to shine!
✨Understand the Environment
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges facing the Scottish Government’s people agenda. Be ready to discuss how you would navigate complex stakeholder relationships and ensure high-quality delivery across HR services. This shows you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the organisation.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about the upcoming People Directorate Business Plan or how they envision the future of HR services. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is right for you.