Policy Manager

Are you looking for a new challenge? Would you like to work in an environment where you could make a meaningful impact by shaping policy for Scotland’s public service pension schemes, working with senior leaders and Ministers on issues that matter to thousands of public sector workers? 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 Policy Team is responsible for the development of policy for public service pension schemes in Scotland ensuring that schemes are robust, fair, affordable, and sustainable. The team are engaged in developing the regulations for each of these schemes and for determining appeals made by members under the schemes’ Internal Dispute Resolution Procedure (IDRP).

As a Policy Manager you will work within a friendly and supportive team. You will lead on policy development for one of the public service pension schemes for which the team has responsibility. The post reports directly to the C1 Pension Policy Lead and has line management responsibility for a B1 Policy Officer.

• Develop policy for schemes that is robust and provides pensions that are fair, affordable, and sustainable.
• Prepare, consult on, and introduce required legislative changes to the pension scheme regulations.
• Provide ministerial briefing as and when required and to short deadlines if necessary.
• Provide responses to Ministerial correspondence, FMQs and PQs to prescribed timescales.
• Take a key role in providing support and the necessary papers to the relevant Scheme Advisory Board.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders, including Scottish and UK Government leads and attend key scheme meetings covering the scheme in England and Wales as an observer.
• Support the delivery of robust determinations under the SPPA’s IDRP.
• Provide scheme advice as required to internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a wide knowledge of both scheme specific regulations and wider overriding pension legislation.

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

• Participation and Engagement – Level 1: Developing
• Policy Delivery and Systems – Level 1: Developing

Experience of reviewing and evaluating complex regulatory or legislative information, identifying key implications, and applying these to support decision-making in complex cases.

• Seeing the big picture - Level 3
• Making effective decisions - Level 3
• Communicating and influencing - Level 3

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1,000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. 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.

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.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an in-person interview and presentation at the SPPA office in Tweedbank. Sifting will commence from w/c 3 August 2026. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17 August 2026 however this may be subject to change.

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

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 the 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apply Before: 2 August 2026 (23:59) - This role is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.