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- Tasks: Lead a transformative agenda across Forestry and Land Scotland, driving innovation and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a vital Scottish Government Agency managing national forests and land for future generations.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive environment, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape Scotland's forests and land while influencing national outcomes and leaving a legacy.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in corporate services and experience in large organisations required.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional, strategic leader to shape and lead a bold Transformation Agenda across Forestry and Land Scotland. This role sits at the heart of the organisation, driving excellence and innovation across Finance, People, Communications and Corporate Governance and Relations.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is a Scottish Government Agency managing Scotland's national forests and land. We care for 640,000 hectares - around 9% of Scotland's land area to deliver commercially sustainable forestry, conserve and enhance the environment and deliver benefits for people and nature. Our mission is 'to look after Scotland's forests and land, for the benefit of all, now and for the future' with a vision of 'forests and land that Scotland can be proud of'. FLS plays a vital role: producing approximately 40% of Scotland's timber, partnering in producing 1200Mw of renewable energy, welcoming 10 million visitors per annum and safeguarding habitats for more than 1,000 species. Our commercial income of circa £140 million per annum is supplemented by grants from the Scottish Government for peatland restoration, woodland creation and other recreational services. This is an exciting time for FLS. We are 80% self-funded from our own operational and commercial activities and are currently on a transformation journey to ensure our long-term sustainability. This is a rare opportunity to influence national outcomes, lead at scale and leave a legacy for Scotland's people, its land and future generations.
Responsibilities
- You will be an outstanding, passionate leader, who can deliver at strategic, tactical and operational levels with the ability to catalyse collaborative change.
- Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, your twin objectives will be leading/delivering our transformation agenda across our business and delivering operational excellence across our corporate services platform.
- You will provide strategic leadership to the corporate services team (c.125 staff) and Heads of Profession in Finance, People, Communications and Corporate functions.
Key Objectives
- Leadership of the Corporate Services Directorate: Articulating a clear vision for the Directorate in alignment with customer and stakeholder needs.
- Delivery: Delivering business excellence in Finance, People, Communications and Governance services to FLS.
- Performance oversight: Driving a step-change in FLS's performance management and accountability to ensure the agency delivers its objectives and Scottish Ministers' ambitions and priorities.
- Governance/Assurance: Overseeing and streamlining governance across FLS to enable agile decision making. Management of risk, resilience and assurance as well as compliance with all statutory responsibilities and financial regulations. Promote diversity and inclusion at board level and across the organisation.
- Transformation: Co-ordinating the agency-wide transformation agenda towards a financially sustainable model, with a focus on commercial return on investment, data-driven decision making and continuous improvement for innovation and productivity.
- Strategy: Developing and executing a robust Corporate Services and Transformational (CST) strategy aligned with FLS's aspirations enhancing operational effectiveness, meeting legal obligations, and delivering relevant services which are fit for purpose.
- Sharing Corporate Leadership: Supporting the Chief Executive as a member of the Strategic Board (SAB) and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to deliver FLS's business strategy and Corporate Plan.
It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this role. In addition, candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the professional experience and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.
Experience
- You will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills.
- An outstanding track record in delivering operational excellence in corporate services in large, complex organisations.
- A strong track record of leading high-performing teams through significant change, and of demonstrating forward-thinking and innovative delivery.
- A strong commercial mindset.
- A professional background in a corporate services discipline and ideally experience across both the public and private sectors.
Behaviours: Level 5
- Leadership
- Developing Self and Others
- Changing and Improving
- Managing a Quality Service
How To Apply Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) that directly addresses the Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. Please ensure your statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the specified experience requirements.
During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as behaviours aligned to this role. If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection and assessment process. This may include an individual psychological assessment and a stakeholder or staff engagement exercise. Assessments are scheduled for the weeks commencing 2, 9 and 13 March, however this may be subject to change. Some of the assessments may take place in person, further details will be provided for shortlisted candidates. The Final Interview Panel will take place in person in Edinburgh. Interviews will be chaired by Kevin Quinlan, Chief Executive, Forestry and Land Scotland.
Indicative Timeline
- Final interviews: 27 March 2026
Timings are subject to change. You will be informed appropriately.
Interview Expenses
Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.
About Us
Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS) is an agency of the Scottish Government (SG) responsible for managing Scotland's national forests and land. On 1 April 2019 new Scottish Government agencies were formed to take forward the work previously undertaken by Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland along with the new responsibilities gained following the full devolution of forestry to Scotland. We're proud to contribute to the success of forestry in Scotland. Work on our national forests and land contributes £1 million to the Scottish economy each day, supports 11,000 jobs, soaks up over 3 million tonnes of CO2 each year and hosts over 80 community projects with a focus on inclusive activities. We intend to build on this success.
Find can find out more here about Forestry and Land Scotland and you can find out more about our transformation journey to be fit for the future here. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, 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.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 37 hours per week; we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are very keen to encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds who are under-represented in senior leadership roles within our organisation. 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.
Director of Corporate Services and Transformation, Forestry & Land Scotland (SCS 1) in Edinburgh employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Detail:
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Corporate Services and Transformation, Forestry & Land Scotland (SCS 1) in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Forestry and Land Scotland. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching FLS’s current projects and challenges. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about our mission. Tailor your responses to highlight how your experience aligns with our transformation agenda.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you’ve driven change in previous roles. This will help you feel more confident when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows us that you’re genuinely interested in the position and gives you another chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Corporate Services and Transformation, Forestry & Land Scotland (SCS 1) in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight your leadership experience and operational excellence in corporate services, as these are key for us at Forestry and Land Scotland. Use specific examples that align with the job description to show how you meet the criteria.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Keep it focused on the Experience criteria outlined in the job description. Avoid general statements and instead provide concrete evidence of your skills and achievements that relate directly to the role.
Showcase Your Behaviours: Don’t forget to demonstrate the behaviours required for this Senior Civil Service role. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve developed yourself and others, managed quality services, and led change effectively. We want to see your leadership in action!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there. We can’t wait to see your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Know Your Transformation Agenda
Make sure you understand the current transformation journey of Forestry and Land Scotland. Familiarise yourself with their goals, challenges, and successes. This will help you articulate how your leadership can contribute to their mission and vision.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Leadership
Prepare examples that showcase your exceptional leadership skills. Think about times when you've led high-performing teams through significant change. Be ready to discuss how you can drive operational excellence across corporate services while aligning with stakeholder needs.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Mindset
Since this role requires a strong commercial mindset, come prepared with insights on how to enhance financial sustainability. Discuss innovative strategies you've implemented in the past that have led to improved returns on investment or operational efficiencies.
✨Align with Success Profiles Behaviours
Familiarise yourself with the Success Profiles framework and be ready to demonstrate behaviours at the required level. Prepare to discuss how you've developed others, managed quality services, and driven change in previous roles, as these are key aspects they will assess.
