Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time - 35 hours per week with flexible working options including Flexi-leave. Hybrid working with an expectation to work in-person 40% of the time in an office or agreed location.

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
This is an exciting internal opportunity within the Offshore Wind Directorate to lead the delivery of the Offshore Wind Skills Programme (OWSP) in its first year and beyond, as outlined in Scotland’s Offshore Wind Skills Priorities and Action Plan. You will establish strong working relationships with senior industry figures, skills delivery partners, and colleagues across the Scottish Government. As Unit Head, you will lead an innovative skills programme supporting people, including those transitioning from oil and gas, to access high quality jobs that deliver economic benefits for communities across Scotland.

In addition, you will lead priority policy areas focused on enabling the timely deployment of floating offshore wind in Scotland, working with industry, UK Government, FLOWEX, and other partners to standardise technology, reduce costs, build infrastructure, and commercialise supply chain opportunities. Reporting to the Deputy Director for Offshore Wind Skills and Policy, you will influence national policy, lead collaborative delivery, and help position Scotland as a global leader in offshore wind. Offshore wind skills and floating wind development are critical enablers for sector growth, economic development, and Scotland’s net zero transition.

The Offshore Wind Directorate leads policy and programmes related to offshore renewables, marine energy, and sectoral marine planning to maximise economic benefits while balancing environmental objectives. The Directorate supports Scotland’s offshore wind economy through strategic investment, regulatory improvements, and sectoral marine planning to accelerate deployment and sustainable growth.

Key responsibilities include leading the OWSP with assurance to senior responsible owners, working with the OWSP Board to ensure effective delivery, leading policy on floating offshore wind deployment challenges, collaborating with FLOWEX, ORE Catapult, UK Government and industry partners to develop a policy routemap, providing leadership and management to the team, supporting senior management, and working flexibly across the directorate to support priority work. You will have line management responsibility for one C1 and countersigning responsibility for two B3 staff.

This role is a permanent level transfer position open only to substantive C2 employees within the Scottish Government Priority Movers list.

Experience
- Proven experience in policy delivery and collaborative working with diverse internal and external stakeholders to influence outcomes and achieve shared objectives.
- Demonstrated leadership of high-performing teams, including cross-organisation collaborations, with an agile approach to managing competing priorities and reactive demands.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, capable of clearly and concisely conveying complex information to a wide range of stakeholders across public and private sectors.
- Experience analysing diverse evidence sources and developing evidence-based recommendations to inform policy.
- Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of investment drivers and market dynamics to maximise economic outcomes and value for money.

About you
- Strategic thinker with the ability to lead innovative programmes and policy development.
- Collaborative leader who fosters an inclusive environment and drives delivery at pace.
- Adaptable and flexible, able to work across multiple priorities within a dynamic policy environment.
- Committed to supporting Scotland’s transition to net zero through sustainable offshore wind development.

Qualifications
No specific qualifications are stated; however, relevant experience in policy, leadership, and stakeholder engagement is essential.