Salary: £138,533 - £149,953 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Position Type: Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week

Work From Home: Hybrid

Are you a confident, strategic leader with the skills and drive to deliver transformative and impactful economic and societal change across a diverse portfolio?

The Scottish Government has a unique opportunity for a Director General for Net Zero, to lead a dynamic team of five Directorates and three Executive Agencies which include 4,400 staff in five locations. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead with purpose and impact, fostering an inclusive culture where diverse talent is empowered to thrive.

The purpose of this role is to forge and deliver a coherent, joined-up strategy and subsequent outcomes which bring a just transition of the economy whilst delivering transformational change across the whole of government . You will deliver the ambitious and far-reaching transformation of society and economy to achieve Net Zero targets, ensure a just transition for communities and individuals, and address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity. Harnessing the economic opportunities of the transition to Net Zero and improving our biodiversity across both land and marine will be critical. As a key advisor to Ministers, you will offer confident evidence-based advice and will be able to connect with a wide range of stakeholders across organisations and boundaries to translate strategic vision into action.

You will be accountable to Parliament for the following resources:

Five Directorates will report to you with circa 2,400 people across:

Energy and Climate Change

Marine

Environment and Forestry

Agriculture and Rural Economy

Offshore Wind

Additionally, you will have Portfolio Accountable Officer oversight of 25 public bodies and the following three Executive Agencies (EAs represent a further 2,000 staff):

Transport Scotland

Forestry and Land Scotland

As Director General for Net Zero you will be responsible for a total annual budget of circa £6 billion. Joining the top leadership team of the Scottish Government to lead core public policy and services at a time of unprecedented challenge responding to changing international political context and the cost-of-living crisis.

You will provide direct support to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy, the Cabinet Secretary of Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, and the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, and you will have a responsibility to the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet.