Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement

Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement

Full-Time 81000 - 99000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The Scottish National Investment Bank

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic relationships and enhance the Bank's reputation through effective communication.
  • Company: Scottish National Investment Bank, a key player in Scotland's public and private sectors.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days leave, hybrid working, and a supportive culture.
  • Other info: Opportunities for continuous learning and meaningful work in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on Scotland's investment landscape and engage with influential stakeholders.
  • Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in stakeholder management and strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.

The Scottish National Investment Bank is seeking an experienced and influential Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement to lead the Bank’s strategic relationships, engagement, communications and external affairs activity. As a member of the Bank’s Executive Committee, this is a significant leadership role with responsibility for how the Bank builds and manages relationships with its shareholder, government, public sector partners, industry, media and wider stakeholders. You will play a pivotal role in protecting and enhancing the Bank’s reputation, strengthening its influence and ensuring our purpose, missions and investment activity are understood by the audiences that matter.

About the Role

As Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement, you will lead the Bank’s approach to strategic stakeholder and relationship management across a complex and high‑profile external environment. Working closely with the Chief Executive, Chair, Board and Executive colleagues, you will provide strategic advice, insight and constructive challenge while leading relationships with Scottish Ministers, government, public agencies, industry and senior private sector stakeholders. You will also oversee the Bank’s communications, media and external profile, while bringing external insight and market intelligence into the Bank to help inform its strategy and investment priorities.

Key Responsibilities

  • Executive Leadership – Contribute to the strategic direction and effective operation of the Bank as a member of the Executive Committee, providing insight and constructive challenge.
  • Strategic Relationships – Lead the Bank’s relationships with Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Government shareholder team, public sector partners, industry and senior private sector stakeholders.
  • External Affairs & Influence – Build the Bank’s influence across Scotland’s public and private sectors and contribute to relevant policy discussions in support of our purpose and missions.
  • Communications & Reputation – Lead the Bank’s internal and external communications, media, marketing and engagement activity, protecting and enhancing its reputation and brand.
  • Market Insight – Bring together market intelligence, stakeholder insight and investment activity to identify emerging trends, funding gaps and opportunities for the Bank.
  • Leadership & Collaboration – Lead and develop the Partnership & Engagement function while working collaboratively across the Bank, Board and external partners.

About You

You will be a highly credible senior leader with significant experience of operating in complex, high‑profile stakeholder environments. You will bring:

  • Significant senior‑level experience of strategic relationship and stakeholder management within a complex organisation.
  • Extensive knowledge of Scotland’s public sector landscape and strong relationships across government, business and industry.
  • Proven leadership experience, with the ability to build and lead high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary teams.
  • Exceptional influencing, communication and relationship‑building skills, including experience engaging at Board, Executive and Ministerial level.
  • The confidence and judgement to provide constructive challenge and speak truth to power.
  • Resilience and the ability to remain calm and effective when navigating ambiguity, complexity or significant public and media scrutiny.
  • An understanding of commercial investment, financial services and/or the wider development bank environment would be advantageous.
  • A relevant business or professional qualification would also be desirable.

What We Offer

At the Scottish National Investment Bank, we offer a supportive culture that values your expertise and autonomy, encourages continuous learning, and provides opportunities for meaningful work. On offer is a competitive executive salary, with additional benefits including 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a 12% non‑contributory pension, volunteer days, and more. We operate a hybrid working model and are open to discussing flexible working patterns. If you are eligible under the Disability Confident Scheme or need any adjustments to support your application, please reach out to us. We are committed to providing the support needed for you to participate fully in our recruitment process.

Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement employer: The Scottish National Investment Bank

The Scottish National Investment Bank is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. With a focus on sustainable and equitable growth, we offer meaningful opportunities for professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a non-contributory pension scheme. Join us in our mission to create lasting impacts for the people of Scotland while being part of a collaborative and innovative team based in the vibrant cities of Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The Scottish National Investment Bank

Contact Details:

The Scottish National Investment Bank Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement

Get Involved in Industry Events

Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!

Engage in Professional Networks

Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like The Scottish National Investment Bank.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like The Scottish National Investment Bank.

Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence

Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.

We think you need these skills to ace Executive Director, Partnership & Engagement

Strategic Relationship Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Leadership
Influencing Skills
Communication Skills
Market Intelligence
Public Sector Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!

Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to The Scottish National Investment Bank.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of The Scottish National Investment Bank. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!

Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Scottish National Investment Bank

Showcase Your Leadership Style

You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with The Scottish National Investment Bank, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.

Brush Up on Management Theories

Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at The Scottish National Investment Bank, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.

Craft Your Vision for the Company

Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for The Scottish National Investment Bank could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.

Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture

In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at The Scottish National Investment Bank as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.