Head of Visits and Events - 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. If you are a skilled leader with a passion for delivery and a pride in getting things right, we want to hear from you.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, high-profile environment where no two days are the same, this could be the perfect next step in your career. You will play a central role in some of the most significant moments in the life of government - from high-profile domestic engagements to supporting the First Minister overseas - ensuring they run seamlessly and leave a lasting impression.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a talented, dedicated team at the very heart of government, working at the highest level and making a direct and visible contribution to the First Minister's programme. You will bring together people, logistics and diplomacy, balancing complex competing demands with calm authority and exceptional attention to detail.

This is a temporary role for 6 months while a wider review of posts in Communications divisions take place. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the planning, coordination and delivery of a high-quality visits and events programme for the First Minister. The postholder will lead a dedicated team providing end-to-end logistics support across a wide range of domestic and sometimes international engagements, ensuring every visit and event reflects the highest standards of organisation and professionalism.

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the visits and events team, fostering high-performance and inclusive culture.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of all official engagements for the First Minister, including domestic visits, speeches, travelling cabinets, summits, ceremonial events and international visits.
• Act as the primary point of contact and senior adviser on all logistical matters, working closely with private office, communications, special advisers, cabinet secretariat, security and policy teams.
• Manage relationships with a wide range of external partners including host governments, host organisations and businesses, venue operators, transport providers, Police Scotland and media teams.
• Lead on risk assessment and contingency planning for complex or high-profile engagements, ensuring robust mitigations are in place for successful delivery.
• Oversee the team's budget and contracts, ensuring value for money and compliance with relevant procurement, financial management and external businesses.
• Ensure all visits and events comply with relevant policies on security, accessibility, protocol and propriety.
• Drive continuous improvement across the team, embedding lessons learned and developing the team’s capability through coaching and structured development opportunities.
• Support the delivery of Project Unicorn working in conjunction with communications leads and media outlets, including leading on logistical media planning for different scenarios across Scotland.

• Proven experience of planning and delivering complex, high-profile events or visits programmes, ideally in a government or public sector setting.
• Strong leadership skills with experience of managing and motivating a team to deliver under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage effectively at senior levels including Ministers, officials and external partners.
• Sound judgement and the ability to make decisions quickly in a fast-moving and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience of managing budgets and/or contracts; applying financial controls as appropriate.
• Desirable: Experience of coordinating international visits or working with overseas counterparts.
• Familiarity with security and protocol requirements in a high-profile or ministerial context.
• Experience working in or with a private office or ministerial support function.
• Driver's license.

This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 6 months. This is a full-time post, but other working patterns will be considered. The post is based in St Andrew’s House with options to work from other buildings or from home depending on the First Minister’s events programme.

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 grade employees. Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words). Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Monday 17 August. If you have questions about your application please contact julie.grant@gov.scot.

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.

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.