Visits and Events Manager - B2 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. This role is a fantastic opportunity to work at the heart of the Scottish Government.

We are seeking applications for a B2 Visits and Events Manager, which sits within the Communications Division based in Edinburgh. You will be part of a small unit supporting the First Minister across a range of engagements, including internal and external visits and events. Travel will be required across Scotland, and occasionally internationally. Holding a full clean driving licence and being willing to drive a pool car or hire car for work is essential.

This role involves great opportunities to develop stakeholder engagement (internal and external), programme management, prioritisation and leadership skills. As part of the team, you will work closely with the First Minister’s Private Office, First Minister Communications Team, Special Advisers and policy officials across the organisation. You should have an interest in politics and current affairs and be able to think creatively. You should be organised and able to work quickly, often in a pressurised and uncertain environment. You should have a positive attitude and be open to suggesting new and innovative ways of working to achieve positive results. You should be willing to work flexibly and engage in rotas and on call arrangements as required (including adhoc evening and weekend working). You should have experience of using project management tools to prioritise work, track progress, manage risks, and meet deadlines. The post holder will report directly to the B3 Senior Visits and Events Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide support to the Senior Visits and Events Manager in planning all external engagements and FM domestic/international travel.
• Leading planning calls/meetings and deploying project management tools to track delivery of events, flag risks, manage resourcing, expenditure and timelines to ensure successful delivery.
• Undertaking event/venue recces, communicating First Minister’s preferences while liaising with venues and stakeholders, considering logistics/optics and collaborating with colleagues across SG.
• Produce comprehensive Operational Notes for the First Minister to support the successful delivery of each event.
• Providing timely updates to colleagues to ensure they can progress their own work and using project management tools to support and deliver events.
• Working with relevant colleagues and stakeholders to ensure everything is in place for First Minister visits, and providing on-the-ground support on logistics.
• Support delivery of logistical and AV arrangements for First Minister press conferences and speeches.
• Support delivery of cross Cabinet events, e.g. Cabinet formations and Travelling Cabinets.

Qualifications

• Connections and Communication - Practitioner
• Operational Leadership and Management - Working
• Adaptability to Change - Working
• Data and Insight - Practitioner
• Delivery and Decision-making at speed - Working

You can find out more about the skills required, here: ODP competency framework.

Experience:

• The ability to plan and manage workload and balance competing priorities, while working to tight deadlines.
• Track record of working collaboratively, in partnership with others, to build effective working relationships to deliver positive outcomes.
• Experience of working successfully as part of a team whilst maintaining personal resilience through periods of pressure.
• Sound judgement and the ability to make decisions quickly in a fast-moving and sometimes ambiguous environment.
• Holding a full clean driving licence and being willing to drive a pool car or hire car for work is essential.

Desirable:

• A high level of political acuity and experience of delivering/supporting Ministerial events.
• Experience of having worked around the media is beneficial but not essential.
• Familiarity with security and protocol requirements in a Scottish Government or Ministerial context.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position. This is a full-time post, but other working patterns will be considered. The post is based in St Andrew’s House where you can expect to work 2 days weekly (as a minimum). There are options to work from other buildings or from home depending on the First Minister’s events programme. Travel will be required regularly across Scotland, and occasionally internationally. You should be willing to work flexibly and engage in rotas and on call arrangements as required (including adhoc evening and weekend working).

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B2 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 Friday 18 September. If you have questions about your application please contact steven.lynch@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. Apply before: 18/09/2026.