Job detail for Team Leader

Job description

Are you highly customer-focused, able to deliver exceptional service to internal and external stakeholders through clear communication, accuracy and effective resolution of service requests?

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers pensions for Scottish Teachers, Police, Firefighters' and National Health Service employees on behalf of the Scottish Government.

We're responsible for protecting the financial futures of over half a million people , that’s around 1 in 10 people in Scotland.

If you’re looking for meaningful work, a supportive environment and a career with purpose, you’ll find it at the SPPA.

Our office is based in Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders, the train station is a short two minute walk away and offers regular services to and from Edinburgh Waverley, making it a convenient and well connected location for commuters.

The surrounding area offers access to green space, walking routes and a strong sense of local community, supporting wellbeing both in and outside of work.

Our modern office building is designed to support flexible and collaborative working, with spaces for teamwork, quiet focus and hybrid working. Colleagues benefit from a comfortable, welcoming environment that reflects our commitment to wellbeing and inclusion.

This Team Manager role is in Operational Service Delivery supporting colleagues across our delivery teams - Pre-Retirements, Pension Awards, Bereavements, Post- Retirements.

As part of the Operational Service Delivery team you will be working closely with colleagues to help pay our key workers retirement pensions accurately and on time.

As a Team Manager, you will be responsible for your own business area, supporting your Operations Manager to deliver against set demands of our fast pace Operational Delivery environment. You will be expected to actively collaborate through co-operation and communication with the wider Agency Management team. You will be expected to lead by example in the development of colleague behaviours that result in organisational and culture change whilst acting as a positive role model.

---

• Deliver individual monthly conversations, in year and end year reviews, with line manager . Ensuring all colleagues have an Individual Learning Plan
• Plan and prioritise workloads across your team, while supporting delivery across wider operational areas
• Support change, apply change management training / principles to deliver change effectively and empathetically.
• You will deliver a high-quality service to support the delivery of key objectives
• Developing and maintaining good working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to deliver.
• Prepared to react quickly and professionally to situations, some of which may be unexpected
• Deliver an inclusive approach to flexible working, recognising different work patterns and individual personal circumstances.
• Foster continuous professional development and improve overall team performance

Success profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills:

1.   Adaptability to change - Working

You can find out more about the skills required, here:

Experience

• Customer: Experience of delivering high-quality customer service, improving processes and ensuring services meet customer needs, organisational targets and compliance requirements.

• Colleagues: Experience of leading, motivating and developing teams, managing performance and resources, and supporting colleagues to achieve individual and operational objectives.

Behaviours:

1. Communicating and Influencing – Level 3
2. Working together – Level 3
3. Delivering at Pace – Level 3
4. Making Effective Decisions – Level 3

Find out more about Success Profiles.

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 750 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an in person interview and presentation.

Sifting will commence from 19th october 2026.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 2nd November 2026 however this may be subject to change.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

At the SPPA, we are committed to The Fair Work Framework

This means offering:

• Security and stability
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Opportunities to learn and develop
• A respectful and inclusive working environment

At SPPA we want our workforce to be representative of Scottish society and we strive to be a workplace where people are welcomed and valued for the contribution they make.

We support flexible working and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those starting their careers, changing careers, or returning to work.

We are committed to removing any barriers to applying for our jobs and aim to offer support and make reasonable adjustments to allow full participation in the recruitment process.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and 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.

You can also find out more about careers at the SPPA here - SPPA Careers | SPPA (pensions.gov.scot)

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week.  We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options, with two days minimum working on site at SPPA. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for,  please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.

Sponsorship

Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.

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

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.

We will hold a reserve list for this post for 12 months for both a permanent role and a temporary promotion role.

Apply Before: 19 October 2026 (23:59) - This role is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.