CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, CREATIVE SCOTLAND
LOCATION – EDINBURGH/HYBRID
Creativity is central to Scotland’s identity, wellbeing and economic future. At Creative Scotland – inclusive of Screen Scotland – we invest public funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery to ensure the arts, screen and creative industries flourish in every part of the country.
We are now seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to join our Executive Leadership Team at a pivotal moment for the organisation and the sector.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the operational and strategic delivery of one of Scotland’s most influential public bodies.
The Opportunity
As Chief Operating Officer, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across our core corporate and business functions – including Finance, Funding, Digital, Communications, HR and Office Services – ensuring they operate with clarity, efficiency and purpose.
Working in close partnership with the Chief Executive and Board, you will:
* Lead the delivery of our operational and corporate strategy in a complex, high-profile public environment.
* Strengthen governance, risk management and financial stewardship, ensuring robust accountability for significant public investment.
* Embed a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and high performance across the organisation.
* Drive digital and organisational transformation to improve how we serve artists, creative businesses and communities.
* Deputise for the Chief Executive as required, engaging confidently with Ministers, senior civil servants and national stakeholders.
This role demands both strategic foresight and operational grip. You will balance day-to-day delivery with long-term transformation, ensuring Creative Scotland remains resilient, agile and impactful in a financially constrained and evolving public sector landscape.
The Person
We are looking for an exceptional senior leader with:
* A strong track record of executive leadership in a complex organisation, ideally within the public or publicly funded sector.
* Deep experience of corporate governance, financial oversight and performance management.
* The credibility to influence at Board and Government level.
* Experience of leading multi-disciplinary corporate functions and driving organisational change.
* A commitment to equalities, diversity and inclusion, fair work and environmental sustainability.
Above all, you will be motivated by public value. You will understand the role that creativity plays in Scotland’s social, cultural and economic life – and be inspired to ensure that our organisation operates at the highest level in enabling it.
This is a nationally significant leadership role, offering the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to Scotland’s creative future.
If you are a strategic, values-driven leader ready to shape the next chapter of Creative Scotland’s journey, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To apply for the post, please send a tailored CV and covering letter to ScotlandExecutive@LHH.com by midnight on Sunday 22 March, 2026. The covering letter should be no more than two pages of A4 and should outline your relevant experience, leadership approach and motivation for applying.
If you would like a confidential, informal discussion about the role, please contact LHH on +44 (0)141 220 6460 or via the email address above.
Download Candidate Information Pack Here
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