Deputy Chief Planner

Do you want to play a leading role in shaping the future of Scotland’s places, communities and economy? The Scottish Government is recruiting a Deputy Chief Planner to lead and inspire a skilled cohort of planning and policy officials committed to strengthening and streamlining planning in Scotland. This is a high‑profile leadership role at the heart of government, with responsibility for helping to ensure Scotland’s planning system supports sustainable growth, investment, infrastructure delivery and vibrant communities across the country. Experience, energy, commitment and professional confidence will be essential to drive forward a wide-ranging work programme at pace.

As well as delivering planning improvement, you will also work across Scottish Government portfolios to provide timely and accurate professional planning advice to inform a wide range of policies and initiatives, including energy, housing, economic development and investment, better regulation, built and natural environment, marine planning and infrastructure. This is a unique opportunity to help shape Scotland’s future through national leadership, collaboration and delivery.

• Act as Deputy Chief Planner and Head of Division, lead delivery of Ministers’ statutory responsibilities for the operation of the planning system.
• Implement and operationalise reforms to Scotland’s planning services to help make Scotland the most attractive part of the UK to invest.
• Oversee a range of statutory planning and consenting decisions, providing high‑quality professional advice to ministers to allow sound and timely decisions which minimise the risk of legal challenge.
• Provide strategic and professional support to the Director and Chief Planner in her capacity as head of profession within the Scottish Government and work with other built environment professional networks to maximise the impact of planning across portfolios and champion the profession within government.
• Strategic engagement with members of the High‑Level Group in Planning, Heads of Planning Scotland, chairs, CEOs and other senior members of key stakeholder bodies to ensure that the planning system and all sectors involved collaborate effectively to enable and facilitate development delivery to support growing the economy.
• Work flexibly to respond to queries and priorities as they arise, maintaining a strong business plan while also reacting to urgent matters requiring a solutions focus.

Professional Skills/Experience:

• In‑depth knowledge of the Scottish Planning System, NPF4 and the Planning Acts and how these relate to wider strategies and policies.
• A degree in Town and Country Planning (or equivalent) and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
• Significant experience as a practising town planner and/or in the planning profession.

• Leadership (Level 5)
• Working Together (Level 5)
• Seeing The Big Picture (Level 5)
• Making Effective Decisions (Level 5)
• Delivering at Pace (Level 5)

Our standard hours are 37 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi‑leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid‑compatible roles should aim to work in‑person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. Our main office for this role is based in Victoria Quay.

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), which includes four main pre‑employment checks – Identity, right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). In addition to this standard pre‑employment check, this vacancy will also require all candidates to obtain National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check (SC) clearance level, which normally includes a minimum UK residency period of 5 years.

We are committed to equality and inclusion and aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. We offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.