At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformation projects and modernise services for the people of Scotland.
- Company: Join the Scottish Government and make a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of public services and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Professional qualifications in project management and extensive leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 80172 - 92533 £ per year.
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Salary: 80,172 - 92,533 per year
Employment: Full time
Category: Project Management
Posted: 2026-08-07
Valid to: 2026-08-21
Employer: Scottish Government
Job summary
Are you looking for an opportunity to drive portfolio delivery and champion new ways of working? The “Head of Transformation & Portfolio Delivery” will lead the delivery of an ambitious, organisation-wide transformation portfolio at the National Records of Scotland (NRS), shaping how services are modernised, digitised and delivered for the people of Scotland. This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of strategy, driving prioritisation, governance and outcomes across complex change. You will lead multidisciplinary teams and influence at senior levels to ensure change delivers real public value. This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference; transforming services, strengthening capability, and helping NRS stay fit for the future.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee NRS's transformation portfolio, ensuring programmes and projects align with strategic priorities, capacity, budgets, and organisational objectives.
- Accountable for portfolio delivery performance, proactively managing risks, dependencies, priorities, and delivery outcomes.
- Establish and continuously improve portfolio governance, assurance, reporting, and delivery management frameworks across the organisation.
- Drive strategic prioritisation and investment decisions, ensuring delivery activity supports organisational outcomes, public value, and service user needs.
- Lead benefits realisation and continuous improvement, embedding outcome-focused delivery, evidence-based decision-making, and lessons learned.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, partners, suppliers, and governance bodies, providing influence, challenge, and clear communication.
- Lead and develop the Innovation & Transformation function, the Delivery Management function and the Portfolio Management Office, building organization-wide capability, digital skills, and high-performing teams.
- Oversee portfolio financial planning ensuring value-for-money delivery across major transformation initiatives.
Person specification
Qualifications
- A professional level qualification, such as Axelos’ Management of Portfolios (Practitioner) qualification or equivalent.
- APM’s PMQ or Axelos’ P3O qualifications would also be considered relevant.
Experience
- Applicants for this role are expected to be experienced transformation or portfolio delivery leaders, with a proven track record of operating at enterprise scale and taking accountability for delivering multiple complex changes in demanding environments.
- Extensive experience defining and managing a portfolio of complex projects using Agile, Waterfall and hybrid methods, ensuring proportionate assurance and continuous improvement.
- Significant experience leading a team of delivery and change specialists, ensuring projects deliver the best possible outcomes.
- A proven track record of influencing and negotiating with senior stakeholders and clearly communicating complex portfolio analysis and recommendations to drive strategic alignment and action.
- Experience leading transformational change encompassing culture, ways-of-working and organisation and operating model changes.
Behaviours
- Communicating and influencing
- Seeing the big picture
- Delivering at pace
Technical skills
- Planning and scheduling - Practitioner
- Governance - Expert
- Benefits management - Expert
- Frameworks and methodologies - Expert
- Stakeholder engagement - Practitioner
- Asset allocation - Practitioner
- Risk and issue management – Practitioner
- Digital and data - Practitioner
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of 80,172, Scottish Government contributes 23,225 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
This job is broadly open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Contact point for applicants: Name: Michael O’Loughlin, Email: DirectorDigital@nrscotland.gov.uk
Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery in Edinburgh employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
As a Lead Technical Architect within the Corporate Operations Directorate, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to driving digital transformation and enhancing the efficiency of the Scottish Government. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With a focus on people-centred decision-making and a commitment to making a positive impact, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to meaningful change in Scotland while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT or be willing to refer you for that Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery role at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Transformation and Portfolio Delivery in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
