Scottish Government
Strategy and Planning Manager
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This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only.
Job Title - Strategy and Planning Manager
Business Area/Directorate
Estate Strategy and Planning Unit, Procurement and Property Directorate.
Location
Saughton House / Victoria Quay
Working Arrangement
Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy [https://scotsconnect.sharepoint.com/sites/saltireredirect?siteId=mylifeandcareer&pageId=8c5a454f-11b6-4349-a97e-96ba6acf3f51&pageParams=working-in-person-hybrid-working]
Grade
C1
Advert type
Level Transfer
Duration
Permanent
Eligibility
Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from core SG only.
Sponsorship
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.
Overview
The Scottish Government (SG) Estate Strategy and Planning unit in the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate is responsible for the strategic management of the SG core estate. The estate comprises a variety of building types located across approximately 65 sites on the mainland and islands. As the Strategic Property Manager you will be responsible for developing and implementing property and estate strategies that support organisational objectives, maximise asset performance and support the delivery of SG’s changing needs. A major period of change is anticipated over the coming years in the SG core estate as we manage workplace expectations in line with our Hybrid policy, while taking all opportunities to reduce our footprint and deliver our Carbon Action Plan. The Strategic Estates Portfolio Manager will play a critical role in delivering the SG Estate forward plan ensuring the organisation's property assets support long-term strategic objectives, delivers value for money, and creates sustainable, efficient, and future-ready spaces.
Forming part of SPPD in the DG Corporate family, Property and Construction Division (PCD) transforms, innovates and enhances construction procurement and property to improve the stewardship of the public sector estate. The work of the division is varied, fast-paced and high profile. We work collaboratively in a national context with Ministers and senior stakeholders, policy colleagues, industry, public bodies, professional bodies and UKG providing specialist authoritative guidance, advice and service delivery on property and construction procurement.
This role in the PCD Estates Strategy and Planning team combines strategic property leadership with programme management expertise driving asset optimisation and estate rationalisation, while ensuring compliance with the long-term vision for the SG estate and in alignment with the Climate Action Plan.
This is a key role to ensure that the strategic planning for the Scottish Government estate aligns with changing expectation in how we use our buildings but also to drive efficiencies and align with Public Service Reform. Strong programme management and strategic asset management skills will play a critical part in informing and driving an ambitious programme to share, merge and reduce the buildings on our estate. Close working with senior leadership across all DG families, operational teams, finance colleagues, and external stakeholders to deliver the SG Estates forward plan and supporting information will be essential.
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RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities
The SG Core estate is part of a major programme under Public Services Reform and there is an ambitious programme to co-location with public bodies and reduce surplus estate.
We are seeking a Strategic Asset Manager who will work closely with senior leadership, operational teams, finance colleagues, and external stakeholders to ensure property assets deliver value for money, support service delivery, and contribute to long-term organisational success. You will work closely with other key leads to deliver recommendations from the SG Core Estate Forward Plan.
Key responsibilities will include the following:
Property Strategy and Planning
- Undertake strategic reviews of buildings in the property portfolio to ensure assets are aligned with current and future business needs.
- Develop long-term accommodation, investment, and asset management plans utilising key tools and considering wider strategies and programmes.
- Identify and develop business cases for opportunities for estate optimisation, rationalisation and sharing, presenting these at relevant boards and considering funding requirements.
Asset Management
- Manage and monitor the performance of the property portfolio using appropriate asset management principles, improve data quality and use of digital tools.
- Hold overall responsibility for the SG Estate Asset Plan, provide regular reports and analysis of information
Stakeholder Management
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders working closely with key user leads with specific property requirements such as DG Net Zero.
- Influence and support decision-making through the presentation of clear property analysis and recommendations.
- Ensure property strategies reflect wider changing programmes, policies and strategic considerations across the government.
Programme Management and Change Delivery
- Lead the early stages of development and delivery of estate optimisation projects, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and working closely with key delivery teams and stakeholders.
- Develop programme governance arrangements, ensuring effective oversight, risk management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
- Prepare and present programme updates, business cases, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership teams and governance boards.
QUALIFICATIONS
Working Pattern
This post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns, proposed working patterns will be assessed against the business requirements for this post.
Our standard hours are 35 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. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Further Information
Further information about this opportunity is available from poilin.nichonghaile@gov.scot [poilin.nichonghaile@gov.scot]
How to Apply
Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 1000 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above.
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Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Monday 28 September.
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.
Please see our candidate guidance [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/use-of-ai-tools/] for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an informal discussion.
Discussions are scheduled for w/c 5 October
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles [https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/document/02a-recruitment-principles-april-2018-final/?d102_cookies_enabled=all] and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
About us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service [https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/about-us/] 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. Find out more about what we offer [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/what-we-offer].
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/nationality-requirements/].
Security checks
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 [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard], or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide [https://www.gov.scot/publications/recruitment-candidate-guide/pages/pre-employment-checks/].
Equality statement
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 [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/an-inclusive-organisation] and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments [https://www.jobs.gov.scot/requesting-adjustments-2] 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 [https://
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