Director General CorporateChief Operating Officer

Are you a strategic values-driven leader with a passion for enabling transformation across government? Do you bring depth of experience in digital, people, change or financial leadership and thrive in complex multi-disciplinary environments?

The Scottish Government is seeking a dynamic and strategic Director General – Corporate/Chief Operating Officer to lead a critical portfolio at the heart of government operations. You will lead a diverse team of Directors and Chief Executives, oversee a workforce of approximately 2,100 staff and a budget of over £300 million, and provide services to government and shared services across the public sector.

Your role will span digital transformation, people and capability, legal services, finance, governance, communications, workplace, property, procurement and ministerial support. You will help shape the future of the Government’s operating model, driving integrated and shared service approaches, ensuring corporate services are efficient, resilient, agile, inclusive and aligned with strategic priorities.

• Provide strategic leadership across the DG Corporate family, aligning with the National Performance Framework and Government priorities, including Public Sector Reform.
• Champion digital transformation, embedding innovation and user‑centred design across corporate and shared services.
• Lead and develop a high-performing inclusive DG family, fostering a culture of kindness, resilience, accessibility and adaptability.
• Oversee the delivery of corporate and shared services, including people, finance, legal, governance, communications, workplace, property, procurement and ministerial support; act as Senior Information Risk Owner for the Scottish Government.
• Drive transformation towards more integrated and shared service models across the Government and its public bodies.
• Work with staff networks, trade unions and the wider organisation to promote and champion diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging.
• Collaborate with Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers to ensure exemplary civil service support and delivery assurance.
• Contribute to corporate governance as a member of the Corporate Board and wider governance system.

• Digital Transformation
  :
  Lead the strategic development and implementation of digital services and platforms that enable efficient, secure and user‑focused government operations.
• People and Capability
  :
  Ensure the Government attracts, retains and develops diverse talent and builds leadership and workforce capability.
• Legal and Ethical Governance
  :
  Provide assurance on legal compliance, propriety and ethics across Government operations to ensure quality advice for Ministers.
• Financial Stewardship
  :
  Oversee financial planning, budgeting and performance, ensuring value for money and transparency.

Experience:

• Significant experience of leading the development and delivery of organisational strategies in a large, complex organisation (public or private sector).
• Senior experience of delivering value from digital technology for service optimisation and transformation.
• Demonstrable experience of financial management of significant resource and capital budgets, alongside overarching corporate governance experience.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic objectives at pace and sustain them through periods of ambiguity and organisational change.
• Achievement of measurable improvements across specialist subject areas through effective cross‑boundary working and partnership with a wide range of stakeholders.

Behaviours (Level 6)

• Seeing the big picture
• Delivering at pace
• Leadership
• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions

Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and a supporting statement (no more than 500 words) that directly addresses the experience criteria listed above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills, experience, and behaviours aligned to this role.

• Final interviews: w/c 26 January

Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the…