Overview
We are seeking an exceptional, strategic leader to shape and lead a bold Transformation Agenda across Forestry and Land Scotland. This role sits at the heart of the organisation, driving excellence and innovation across Finance, People, Communications and Corporate Governance and Relations.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is a Scottish Government Agency managing Scotland’s national forests and land. We care for 640,000 hectares - around 9% of Scotland’s land area to deliver commercially sustainable forestry, conserve and enhance the environment and deliver benefits for people and nature. Our mission is ‘to look after Scotland’s forests and land, for the benefit of all, now and for the future’ with a vision of ‘forests and land that Scotland can be proud of’. FLS plays a vital role: producing approximately 40% of Scotland’s timber, partnering in producing 1200Mw of renewable energy, welcoming 10 million visitors per annum and safeguarding habitats for more than 1,000 species. Our commercial income of circa £140 million per annum is supplemented by grants from the Scottish Government for peatland restoration, woodland creation and other recreational services. This is an exciting time for FLS. We are 80% self-funded from our own operational and commercial activities and are currently on a transformation journey to ensure our long-term sustainability. This is a rare opportunity to influence national outcomes, lead at scale and leave a legacy for Scotland’s people, its land and future generations.
Responsibilities
You will be an outstanding, passionate leader, who can deliver at strategic, tactical and operational levels with the ability to catalyse collaborative change. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, your twin objectives will be leading/ delivering our transformation agenda across our business and delivering operational excellence across our corporate services platform. You will provide strategic leadership to the corporate services team (c.125 staff) and Heads of Profession in Finance, People, Communications and Corporate functions.
Key Objectives
Leadership of the Corporate Services Directorate: Articulating a clear vision for the Directorate in alignment with customer and stakeholder needs.
Delivery: Delivering business excellence in Finance, People, Communications and Governance services to FLS.
Performance oversight: Driving a step-change in FLS’s performance management and accountability to ensure the agency delivers its objectives and Scottish Ministers’ ambitions and priorities.
Governance/Assurance: Overseeing and streamlining governance across FLS enable agile decision making. Management of risk, resilience and assurance as well as compliance with all statutory responsibilities and financial regulations. Promote diversity and inclusion at board level and across the organisation.
Transformation: Co-ordinating the agency-wide transformation agenda towards a financially sustainable model, with a focus on commercial return on investment, data-driven decision making and continuous improvement for innovation and productivity.
Strategy: Developing and executing a robust Corporate Services and Transformational (CST) strategy aligned with FLS's aspirations enhancing operational effectiveness, meeting legal obligations, and delivering relevant services which are fit for purpose.
Sharing Corporate Leadership: Supporting the Chief Executive as a member of the Strategic Board (SAB) and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to deliver FLS’s business strategy and Corporate Plan.
It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills 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 and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.
Experience
You will demonstrate:
* Exceptional leadership skills
* An outstanding track record in delivering operational excellence in corporate services in large, complex organisations
* A strong track record of leading high-performing teams through significant change, and of demonstrating forward-thinking and innovative delivery.
* A strong commercial mindset
* A professional background in a corporate services discipline and ideally experience across both the public and private sectors.
Behaviours: Level 5
* Leadership
* Developing Self and Others
* Changing and Improving
* Managing a Quality Service
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)
How To Apply
Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) that directly addresses the Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. Please ensure your statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the specified experience requirements.
During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as behaviours aligned to this role.
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection and assessment process. This may include an individual psychological assessment and a stakeholder or staff engagement exercise.
Assessments are scheduled for the weeks commencing 2, 9 and 13 March, however this may be subject to change. Some of the assessments may take place in person, further details will be provided for shortlisted candidates.
The Final Interview Panel will take place in person in Edinburgh. Interviews will be chaired by Kevin Quinlan, Chief Executive, Forestry and Land Scotland.
Indicative Timeline
* Final interviews: 27 March 2026
* Timings are subject to change. You will be informed appropriately.
Interview Expenses
Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.
About Us
Forestry & Land Scotland (FLS) is an agency of the Scottish Government (SG) responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land. On 1 April 2019 new Scottish Government agencies were formed to take forward the work previously undertaken by Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Enterprise Scotland along with the new responsibilities gained following the full devolution of forestry to Scotland.
We’re proud to contribute to the success of forestry in Scotland. Work on our national forests and land contributes £1 million to the Scottish economy each day, supports 11,000 jobs, soaks up over 3 million tonnes of CO2 each year and hosts over 80 community projects with a focus on inclusive activities. We intend to build on this success.
Find can find out more here about Forestry and Land Scotland and you can find out more about our transformation journey to be fit for the future here.
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 hours are 37 hours per week; we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are very keen to encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds who are under-represented in senior leadership roles within our organisation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments 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.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
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