Job detail for Social Content Team Leader

Job description

Shape the future of social media at the heart of the Scottish Government.

The Social Content Team Leader is a pivotal role within the Social Content Hub, part of the Communications Directorate's Digital & Content Team. Working across the organisation with significant influence and reach, the team provides expert social media advice, guidance, training and content development that helps connect the Scottish Government with audiences across Scotland and beyond.

You will lead a specialist team responsible for delivering high-quality social and visual content, fostering collaboration across communications and policy areas, and driving innovation in digital engagement. The role combines operational leadership with strategic development, ensuring social media activity is impactful, accessible and aligned with organisational priorities, while strengthening the Social Content Hub's reputation as a centre of excellence for social media expertise.

This specialist post attracts a Communications Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum, pro rata, rising to £5,000 following 12 months' successful service. This is paid in addition to salary and is subject to regular review.

:

• Lead the continual development and implementation of the Scottish Government's social media strategy, guidance and policies.
• Oversee the management of our main social media channels to ensure all content is of a high standard and meets our strategic priorities and objectives, in the context of increasing demand for our services.
• Act as a key point of contact for Team Leaders across the Communications Directorate, nurturing collaborative working and a user-focused, Digital First approach.
• Spearhead improvements to the organisation's systems and processes in support of high-quality and cost-effective social content production and storage.
• Be a visible champion across the organisation, raising awareness of the value of social media and building appreciation of, and support for, our approach.
• Embed evaluation and reporting processes to build the organisation's understanding of the impact and effectiveness of our social media activity.
• Manage budgets allocated to social content projects and campaigns.

Success profile:

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

Technical / Professional Skills:

• Insight
• Ideas
• Implementation
• Impact

You can find out more about the skills required here: Communications_competencies_framework.docx

Experience:

• A proven track record of leading busy teams of digital content professionals running high-profile social accounts, with proven ability to negotiate and prioritise under pressure.
• An expert understanding of current and potential future social media landscapes and technologies, and how to create the organisational conditions to best utilise these.

Behaviours:

• Delivering at pace – Level 4
• Working together – Level 4

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot

How to apply:

Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 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.

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.

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

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 9 November 2026 however this may be subject to change.

Apply before 23:59 on 19 October 2026.  This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only (external candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy).

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:

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, 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.

Working pattern:

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. 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.

Pay supplement:

This is a specialist post and carries the Communications Pay Supplement of £3,000 per annum pro rata, rising to £5,000 on completion of 12 months’ successful service. This is paid in addition to salary. Pay supplements are temporary and subject to regular reviews.

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.