Job detail for Head of Project Delivery Capability

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only**.**

Job Title - Head of Project Delivery Capability

Business Area/Directorate - This position is within the Programme and PPM Division of the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate.

Location - Victoria Quay

Working Arrangement – Staff in roles compatible with hybrid working should aim to spend 40% of their contracted working time working in person at their contractual workplace. More information can be found within Hybrid Working Policy

Grade- C2

Advert type- Level Transfer

Duration- Permanent

Eligibility- Expressions of interest are invited from substantive colleagues on level transfer from core SG Only.

**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.

The Head of Project Delivery Capability leads the Scottish Government's Programme and Project Management Centre of Expertise (PPM-CoE), providing strategic leadership to strengthen project delivery capability, standards and performance across the organisation.

The role is responsible for driving continuous improvement in portfolio, programme and project management (PPM), ensuring that Scottish Government programmes and projects are delivered in line with established governance requirements, professional standards and recognised good practice.

Working closely with senior leaders, the Projects Council and project delivery professionals across government, the postholder will lead the development and implementation of strategies, frameworks, services and interventions that improve project outcomes, strengthen assurance and oversight arrangements, and build organisational capability.

The role also provides strategic advice to senior leaders on project delivery, portfolio management and capability matters, while leading the delivery of the Improving Project Delivery Programme and supporting the development of a high-performing Project Delivery Profession.

**Key **

Tasks expected of the Head of Project Delivery Capability will vary depending on organisational priorities but will generally include:

• Lead the Programme and Project Management Centre of Expertise (PPM-CoE), setting strategic direction and priorities to improve project delivery across the Scottish Government.
• Lead delivery of the Improving Project Delivery Programme and associated improvement initiatives.
• Develop, maintain and promote the Scottish Government's portfolio, programme and project management framework, standards, tools and methodologies.
• Strengthen organisational compliance with Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) requirements for major projects and recognised PPM standards.
• Lead the ongoing development and evolution of the Scottish Government Major Projects Register and associated assurance and reporting arrangements.
• Drive improvements in portfolio management capability, reporting and decision-making across the organisation.
• Coordinate and support the Scottish Government Projects Council, ensuring effective governance, strategic oversight and delivery of agreed outcomes.
• Develop and implement approaches to improve project delivery capability, including professional development, accreditation, recruitment, retention and career pathways.
• Lead the development of profession strategies and initiatives that strengthen the Project Delivery Profession and build future capability.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders, professional networks and external partners to support the delivery of organisational priorities.
• Provide strategic advice, challenge and support to programmes and projects through partnering, assurance and specialist interventions.
• Promote continuous improvement through the identification, sharing and adoption of good practice, lessons learned and emerging delivery approaches.

Lead, develop and motivate a high-performing team, creating an inclusive culture that supports learning, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Candidates should holda recognised Project Delivery accreditation such as:

• APM Project Professional Qualification (PPQ)
• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ)
• MSP, MoP or P3O qualifications
• PMI accreditation
• Equivalent professional or academic qualification

Significant demonstrated experience operating at an advanced professional level may be considered equivalent where accompanied by a commitment to attaining professional accreditation while in role.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on, you should provide evidence of how you meet these in your statement.

Behaviours - Level 4

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing A Quality Service
• Changing and improving

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

Technical/Professional skills

The procurement competency framework sets out the common standard across the public sector in Scotland and details the capability requirements for this post.

Experience

The Head of Project Delivery Capability should have significant experience leading complex change, transformation, portfolio, programme or project delivery functions within large and complex organisations.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• A proven track record of delivering strategic improvement initiatives across organisational boundaries.
• Experience influencing and engaging senior leaders at Director, Director General and Executive Team level.
• Extensive experience developing and embedding programme and project management standards, governance arrangements and assurance approaches.
• Experience using management information, performance reporting and evidence-based analysis to support decision-making and drive improvement.
• Experience building, leading and developing high-performing and inclusive teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to secure buy-in and support for complex change initiatives.

Working Pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

This post is a full-time role, but we welcome applications from staff with different working patterns, proposed working patterns will be assessed against the business requirements for this post.

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.

Further Information

Further information about this opportunity is available from nikki.archer@gov.scot

How to Apply

Please submit an Expression of Interest (maximum 1000 words) outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team. Please align this to how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above.

Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Thursday 15 October.

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 ourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of a light-touch interview, scheduled for w/c TBC.

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 Codeand 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.

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, or read about the different levels of security checks in ourCandidate Guide.

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 ourCareers Website.

Read ourCandidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Apply before: 15/10/2026 (23:59). This role is open to substantive C2 staff from core SG only.