Description The Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate (SPPD) is seeking a transformational leader who will own and drive forward improvements in the Procurement Services Division. This is a varied role as you will be expected to use your commercial expertise to lead on the SGs application of all stages of the procurement process. As the Head of Procurement Services Division you will lead a team, developing their commercial leadership to shape commercial approaches for the organisation within a complex and uncertain context. You will be expected to use your commercial leadership to take measured risks in order to deliver better approaches and services. The Head of Procurement Services is an exciting post involving strategic leadership, operational delivery and with significant opportunity for reform and transformation. You will be working both within SG and across the central government sector with a focus on commercial activity, and the delivery of a wide range of cash and non-cash benefits and outcomes. As a contracting organisation, SPPD is unique in placing both national and sectoral collaborative agreements, in addition to undertaking SG’s own procurement requirements, ensuring procurement acts as a strategic enabler for a wide range of government policies – including fair work, community benefits, sustainability and equality. Responsibilities Provide strategic direction and leadership of procurement within SG, along with specific projects across a wide range of SG Directorates, covering a number of Ministerial priorities and meeting various SG operational requirements. This involves the full end-to-end procurement process, along with the delivery of a wide range of Ministerial priority areas – including third sector/SME/supported business access, climate change and fair work. Oversee work to improve the capability of procurement activity across both SG and the wider Central Government (CG) sector. This includes support for the network of Delegated Purchasing Officers across SG, as well as work to improve and support contract management across SG. Provide strategic direction and leadership of the CG sector Procurement Shared Service which provides procurement advice and support to a wide range of public bodies. This includes the provision of a fully managed service for a number of smaller bodies and specific project support across bodies of all sizes. Represent the CG sector at the highest strategic public procurement leadership groups within Scotland - the Public Procurement Group (PPG), the Procurement Supplier Group (PSG). Interface as required with Cabinet Office, Crown Commercial Service, UKG Departments and Devolved Administrations to ensure broader awareness and relevant alignment of procurement activity across the UK. Be a catalysis for reform and transformation of Procurement within SG, public bodies and the Division, building the operational efficiency, capacity and capability, Identify and act on opportunities for innovation to secure organisational improvement. Represent the Division at a senior level within SG – regular interactions with SG’s Executive Team, and with Ministers/Special Advisers. Lead on Commercial Value for Money Programme work across Government to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of grants by applying commercial expertise to grant-making and grant management processes. Lead, manage and mentor a team of around 77 procurement professionals. Responsibilities Qualifications This is a specialist role which requires a commitment towards continuous professional development. You must be able to evidence external, advanced level professional accreditation e.g. MCIPS/FCIPS, relevant equivalent and/or accreditation of the UK Government Commercial Assessment and Development Centre at the appropriate level (Commercial Specialist) (Level 5: Leader) Procurement competency framework - gov.scot Success Profile It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience 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 you will also be expected to evidence the behaviours and technical requirements at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role. Experience: Significant leadership experience and knowledge in managing complex, high value and high-risk procurements across a range of categories/sectors as well as in new and emerging markets. This includes market assessment, strategy development, sourcing and tendering, and contract/supplier management and negotiation is essential for this role. Commercial and procurement capability and the ability to balance both commercial, strategic, and political requirements in a pressured environment. Demonstrate the ability to develop the definition of standards of success in terms of the return on investment and ‘value for money’ for each deal and can lead the debate to make the case with Senior Executives and Ministers. Behaviours: You are expected to provide evidence of the following behaviours at Level 5. Leadership Developing Self and Others Working Together Delivering at Pace Seeing the Big Picture You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Introduction - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot Professional/Technical Requirements: Commercial Competence (5: Leader) Legislation (5: Leader) Negotiation (5: Leader) You should be able to operate at a leader level against the above three technical elements. Please follow this link to find out more about these technical skills along with what it looks like to operate at a leader level here: Framework Info How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection and assessment process. This will include an individual psychological assessment. The Final Interview Panel take place in person at St Andrews House, Regent Road Edinburgh, EH1 3DG. Interviews will be chaired by Nick Ford, Director of Procurement & Property. You will be notified of the other panel members in due course. Indicative Timeline Assessments are scheduled to take place between w/c 4 August 2025, however this may be subject to change. Interview Expenses Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant. Qualifications 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, 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. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working pattern Our standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. SPPD is bilocated in Edinburgh and Glasgow and the role can be done from either location (Victoria Quay or Atlantic Quay). Routine travel between the main offices will be required, as well as periodic travel to London. If you have any questions about this role, please contact SCSResourcing@gov.scot. 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 and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information The successful candidate, if new to the Civil Service, will require Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) security clearance. In addition, given the requirements of this role, candidates will require national security vetting to Security Check level as a condition of appointment. 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.