At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data governance and drive ethical data use across the Scottish Public Pensions Agency.
- Company: Join SPPA, a vital organisation supporting pensions for public sector employees in Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, career development opportunities, and a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Other info: Work in a modern office with great transport links and access to green spaces.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data governance while shaping the future of public service.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in data governance and leadership in complex environments required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Are you ready to shape the future of data governance, champion ethical data use, and lead transformative data-driven change across SPPA? The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers pensions for Scottish Teachers, Police, Firefighters, and National Health Service employees on behalf of the Scottish Government. We're responsible for protecting the financial futures of over half a million people, that’s around 1 in 10 people in Scotland.
If you’re looking for meaningful work, a supportive environment and a career with purpose, you’ll find it at the SPPA. Our office is based in Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders, the train station is a short two-minute walk away and offers regular services to and from Edinburgh Waverley, making it a convenient and well-connected location for commuters. The surrounding area offers access to green space, walking routes and a strong sense of local community, supporting wellbeing both in and outside of work. Our modern office building is designed to support flexible and collaborative working, with spaces for teamwork, quiet focus and hybrid working. Colleagues benefit from a comfortable, welcoming environment that reflects our commitment to wellbeing and inclusion.
The Head of Data Governance will provide strategic oversight and leadership in all aspects of data governance and use. They ensure high standards are maintained in-line with regulations and ethical requirements and for SPPA lead all data-driven programmes of work.
Responsibilities
- Set and own the organisation-wide data governance strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and public sector standards.
- Lead the establishment of consistent ownership, stewardship, and accountability models across all data domains.
- Oversee governance operating models, including enterprise taxonomies, critical data assets, and organisation-wide quality controls.
- Provide senior assurance on compliance, risk posture, ethics, and regulatory readiness.
- Represent the organisation in cross-government governance initiatives and provide strategic guidance on emerging data trends.
- Lead major programmes that enhance data capability, ensuring governance supports innovation and responsible use of data (including AI). This will include for SPPA – Data Driven legislative Programs (Dashboard), Valuation activity, Employer API projects and Annual Event Statement Production.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Enabling and informing risk-based decisions - Expert
- Data life cycle - Expert
- Data literacy improvement - Expert
- Data maturity - Expert
- Data governance - Expert
- Communicating analysis and insight - Expert
You should be able to operate at Expert level against the above 6 technical elements. These will not be assessed at sift stage. These will be assessed as part of the technical assessment if invited to interview.
Experience
- Extensive experience leading governance capability at organisational or cross-departmental scale.
- Demonstrated ability to define governance strategy, policy frameworks, and long-term roadmaps.
- Experience with complex regulatory, ethical, and risk considerations in public sector data environments.
- Experience embedding governance across large scale digital, data, or transformation programmes.
Behaviours:
- Leadership – Level 4
- Making Effective Decisions – Level 4
How to apply: Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 750 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
An initial sift will be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the Experience criteria as listed above. Stage two (interview and assessment): If successful at application sift, you will be invited to interview and assessment where we will test all criteria listed above. All the behaviours, experiences and technical elements outlined in the Success Profile will be assessed at this stage.
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 your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and technical assessment. Sifting will commence from 21 September 2026. Assessments and interview are scheduled for w/c 5 October 2026, however this may be subject to change. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an in-person interview and presentation at the SPPA office in Tweedbank.
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.
Qualifications
About us: At the SPPA, we are committed to The Fair Work Framework. This means offering:
- Security and stability
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Opportunities to learn and develop
- A respectful and inclusive working environment
At SPPA we want our workforce to be representative of Scottish society and we strive to be a workplace where people are welcomed and valued for the contribution they make. We support flexible working and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those starting their careers, changing careers, or returning to work. We are committed to removing any barriers to applying for our jobs and aim to offer support and make reasonable adjustments to allow full participation in the recruitment process.
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.
Working Pattern: Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options, with two days minimum working on site at SPPA. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
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.
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
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. We will hold a reserve list for this post for 12 months.
(C Band) Leadership capabilities will be assessed during the interview process, and further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
Apply Before: 20 September 2026 (23:59) - This role is open to internal candidates, OGD and Common Citizenship organisations only.
Head of Data Governance employer: Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can make a meaningful impact on public services across Scotland. With a focus on employee well-being, the role of Cyber Investigations Manager provides a flexible hybrid working model, a strong pension scheme, and opportunities for professional growth within a highly skilled cyber team dedicated to enhancing national security. Located in Edinburgh, this position not only presents interesting technical challenges but also allows you to contribute directly to the safety and resilience of critical government information systems.
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