This post is a partnership between the Improvement Service and Solace. This is a secondment opportunity and is only open to staff within the 32 Scottish local authorities.
Are you a highly professional and organised self-starter working in a Scottish Local Authority, looking for experience working at a national level? Are you interested in a secondment opportunity? Then read on:
Solace and the IS have agreed to work in partnership to recruit the Business Manager and although the successful candidate will be working directly with Solace and the Solace Scotland branch, this role will be hosted by the Improvement Service.
The Business Manager will support the business activities of Solace Scotland and help deliver Solace’s mission and objectives. Reporting to the Chair of Solace Scotland and the Improvement Service Chief Executive you will:
* Support the development of Solace Scotland strategies and plans and prepare think pieces on topical issues
* Research, analyse, interpret, and collate complex information for a variety of sources
* Respond to letters and consultations and assist in developing presentations and speaking notes
* Be the main point of contact and interface with Solace UK for any Solace Scotland events and for the annual Solace Scotland conference
* Maximise opportunities for Solace members and Councils across Scotland to benefit from the professional development and sector support that Solace provides
* Share insight and intelligence with Policy colleagues across the UK to maximise the voice of Solace within UK Government and devolved administrations
* Attend meetings and participate in Working Groups on behalf of Solace Scotland
* Develop strong and productive relationships with Solace Scotland Business Partners
* Support a culture of continuous improvement
You will support the Office Bearers in driving, developing, and promoting Solace Scotland’s purpose and objectives with councils and partner organisations. You will be required to monitor delivery of the Solace Scotland Branch work programme and agreed activities and undertake research for Solace Scotland and its portfolio leads as well as Solace UK. You will work with the Improvement Service to ensure that the work of the Improvement Service programmes is plugged into the relevant Solace portfolios and wider work of the Solace Scotland Branch.
If you have excellent attention to detail and you are an effective organiser and relationship builder, we want to hear from you.
Information
Location:
West Lothian Council Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6FF
It is anticipated that the role will involve a blended model of office and home working. This flexible approach will be agreed between employee and line manager.
Duration: 24 months
Hours of Contract: 36 hours per week (Hours can be worked flexibly in agreement with the Line Manager)
Advert Closing Date: 9 November 2025
Interview Date
A competence-based interview will take place in-person at West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF, West Lothian, United Kingdom on 21 st November 2025 (shortlisted candidates will be advised by email in advance of the interview).
For more information about competency-based interviews, see our 'Guide to Competency-based Interviews'. You may also find it useful to read our current Business Plan.
Background
This post is a partnership between the Improvement Service and Solace. This is a secondment opportunity and is only open to staff within the 32 Scottish local authorities.
Solace UK (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) is the UK’s membership network for current and future public sector leaders, offering learning, consultancy, recruitment, and advocacy, with all profits reinvested to strengthen local government. It represents over 1900 members across the UK, and has regional branches across the country, including in Scotland. Solace UK’s objectives are to:
* Grow a diverse and engaged membership to share knowledge and strengthen leadership
* Shape national debate and policy to advocate for the value of local government
* Champion diversity, equity, and professional standards so leaders reflect their communities
* Living our values: open, dynamic, nurturing and expert
Solace Scotland is the Scottish branch of Solace. It represents senior strategic leaders across Scottish local authorities, providing a platform for collaboration, leadership development and polity influence. Solace Scotland plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of public services through initiatives such as the Local Government Transformation Programme, which aims to reimagine council service delivery and strengthen outcomes for communities. The Solace Scotland branch meets monthly.
The Improvement Service (IS) is a publicly funded company limited by guarantee, with a total annual budget in the region of £12 Million. We exist to support councils and their partners to improve the health, quality of life and opportunities of all Scottish people through community leadership, strong local governance and the delivery of high quality, efficient local services.
Working for the IS means joining professionals, who work together to strive for continuous improvement in the public sector and ultimately, better outcomes for Scotland’s communities.
Our company headquarters are based in West Lothian, located conveniently for commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The IS is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all its activities to promote inclusive processes, practices, and culture. The IS is a Disability Confidence Committed Employer. We are committed to interviewing anyone with a disability who meets the essential criteria.