Director - General Net Zero

Job Description

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
• Scottish Forestry

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.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Permanent Secretary you will:

• Lead transformational change across the whole of Government, acting as a key communicator when engaging the public, business and third sector. Representing Scottish Government at the highest levels and focusing on one of the four top priorities for government to tackle the climate emergency.
• As part of the top leadership team, make collective decisions on key priorities that affect Scotland, including delivering Public Service Reform. This also includes workforce planning for the civil service and taking forward policies such as hybrid working and diversity and inclusion to support our people.
• Deliver an ambitious policy agenda that meets our emissions reduction targets and puts Scotland firmly on the pathway to Net Zero by 2045.
• Lead Directors to champion close working with other colleagues across government, with public bodies and other key delivery partners and external stakeholders. Ensuring delivery of outcomes for the benefit of the people of Scotland, developing a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Ensure that the key services and sectors the country depends on are delivered and supported - transport, water, energy, agriculture, food and drink, marine economies of fishing and aquaculture, environment, the circular economy and forestry.
• As a key advisor to Ministers, offer confident evidence-based advice and be able to connect with a wide range of stakeholders across organisations and boundaries to translate strategic vision into action.
• Be committed to leading and enabling the continuing development of a high performing Director General family and Senior Team comprising eight Directors, with a strong, inclusive, positive working culture.

Success Profile

It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this role.

In addition, candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the professional experience and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.

Experience:

Leadership at Executive Team and Board level:

• Significant experience of leading the development and delivery of organisational strategy in a large and complex organisation, within government, the public sector or private sector
• Demonstrable experience of financial management of significant resource and capital budgets, together with overarching corporate governance experience. This includes
• Proven ability to deliver strategic objectives at pace and sustain them through periods of ambiguity and organisational change
• Significant experience of major programme and project delivery and operational delivery will be key in leading the portfolio, where a substantial element of the overall Scottish Government capital programme sits
• Achievement of measurable outcomes across a range of specialist subject areas, through effective cross-boundary working and partnership with a wide range of stakeholders

Behaviours:

• Seeing the big picture (Level 6)
• Delivering at pace (Level 6)
• Leadership (Level 6)
• Communicating and Influencing (Level 6)
• Making effective decisions (Level 6)

How to apply

Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) that directly addresses the Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. Please ensure your statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the specified experience requirements.

During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as behaviours aligned to this role.

If you are shortlisted you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection and assessment process. This may include an individual psychological assessment and a stakeholder /staff engagement exercise.

Assessments are scheduled for the weeks commencing 22, 29 September and 6 October however this may be subject to change. Some of the assessments are likely to take place in person, further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

The other panel members are:

• Joe Griffin, Permanent Secretary, Scottish Government
• Jenny Stewart, Non-executive Director, Scottish Government
• Nicola Richards, Director, People Directorate, Scottish Government
• TBC

Interview Expenses

Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.

Closing date: 7 September 2025 at 23:55.

Interviews: w/c 20 October 2025. Timings are subject to change. You will be informed appropriately.