The posting
Job Description
Expressions of interest are invited from substantive Deputy Directors on level transfer only to the Deputy Director, Heat in Buildings post. This vacancy is open to internal Scottish Government staff and those eligible under common citizenship.
We are looking for an individual with a highly developed leadership capability and the ability to communicate, influence and engage with senior internal and external leaders to make a difference in progressing the decarbonisation of Scotland’s buildings, working collaboratively across government, UK Government and other external stakeholders.
The division comprises c110 staff, at full capacity, and the post holder will have line management responsibility for 7 C-Band staff. The teams within the division comprise mainly policy and delivery generalists with a few technical specialists in the EPC reform programme – with the latter likely to grow in the future as the result of new assurance functions to be added on a cost recovery basis.
Job description
The Directorate for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) works with partners across the Scottish government and wider to drive Scotland’s just transition to Net Zero. Heat in Buildings sits within DECC and is responsible for reducing the climate emissions for our homes and buildings through improving energy efficiency and moving away from fossil fuel heating to clean heating, such heat networks and heat pumps. This involves a complex, system-wide change and is being delivered through a series of programmes and activities across the Division. But also requires coordinated action across the whole of Scotland and the wider UK. The Division works across policy and regulation development and programme delivery. The policy and regulation development includes leading a Heat in Buildings Bill scheduled for introduction in year 1, and leading the development of a Heat in Buildings Delivery Plan for action out to 2030. The delivery focus is driven through support schemes with an annual capital budget of around £302.5million. It also focuses on the development of the longer term system changes which will enable the transition to clean heating and more energy efficient homes over the period to 2045 and in particular: considering how the transition will be financed, supporting the development of new delivery models, supporting the development of the future workforce and supply chains that will be required and ensuring the public are aware of the role they have to play and what action they need to take. The role also leads the Scottish Governments work on heat networks, including support for projects, developing regulatory and commercial approaches and leading financing models (capital and revenue funding schemes). The Division also leads on consumer policy within the Scottish Government including advice on reserved areas such as energy retail and postal services. The postholder is responsible for providing senior oversight of effective liaison with Consumer Scotland, the statutory independent body (a non-Ministerial office) advocating on behalf of and representing the interests of consumers in Scotland.
Responsibilities
• Ensure the effective operational delivery of existing funding schemes, advice services and pre-feasibility programmes to ensure they deliver value for money and are aligned with Scottish Government priorities.
• Oversight of the Heat in Buildings Delivery programme and its SRO.
• Lead on the development of policies and delivery approaches that will support the transition to clean heating in line with the Climate Change Plan, working closely with internal and external stakeholders – with focus on approaches to finance, delivery models, skills and supply chain and public engagement.
• Oversight of the development of the Heat in Buildings strategy refresh and delivery plan, with a particular role to ensure that there is a clear vision that will support others to take the action they need to deliver their roles in the transition.
• Lead on the delivery of the PfG commitment for a Heat in Buildings Bill.
• Implement the Heat in Buildings delivery plan with partners to ensure there are actions needed to deliver heat decarbonisation.
• Lead on Scottish Government’s approach to heat networks- ensuring there is a clear pathway to maximise deployment of heat networks in the long term.
• Engaging a wide set of stakeholders from eNGOs to businesses and community groups (including critics as well as allies of the policy agenda), and collaboration with other parts of the organisation, in particular - Housing, Building Standards, SGLD, and fellow Directorate colleagues.
• Regular liaison with the UK Government given the importance of UKG actions needed to facilitate the heat transition and EPC reform.
• Manage any escalated barriers that arise in the progress of the EPC regulatory reforms to ensure the programme ambitious timelines remain on track.
• Liaises regularly with the CEO of Consumer Scotland and ensure an appropriate relationship is maintained with this non-Ministerial body in accordance with an agreed Framework arrangement.
• Provide leadership to the full division with a culture of inclusion and empowerment.
• Work across Government, delivery partners and key stakeholders to support the FM's public service reform agenda, supporting the divisions to deliver improved services with greater efficiency in a more integrated way.
Responsibilities
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.
Experience:
- Proven experience of operating at a senior leadership level, supporting a joined-up approach across policy, regulation and delivery programmes.
- Strong political awareness, excellent judgement and the ability to operate effectively in a highly visible environment.
- A proven ability to lead, motivate and develop high-performing teams through periods of change and reform.
- Experience of sustained engagement with Ministers, senior officials across government, and external stakeholders to shape and implement policy.
Behaviours:
- Developing Self and Others - Level 5
- Leadership - Level 5
- Seeing the Big Picture - Level 5
- Managing a Quality Service - Level 5
Find out more about success profiles here.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 37 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should work in-person 60% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location.
Qualifications
How to Apply
Applications are invited from eligible staff on level transfer for this Deputy Director (SCS 1) vacancy.
Your expression of interest should be sent by 23:55 on 15 November 2026. The expression of interest, which should be no longer than 1,500 words , should explain why this would be a great opportunity for you at this stage of your career and what you would bring to the role. The note should confirm that you have discussed the opprtunity with your Director and that they would be content to release you if the applications is successful.
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.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by the Panel. Shortlisted candidates who are considered to have the skills and experience will be invited to interview with the hiring manager and another panel member. The panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for the post.
Interviews are expected to be scheduled for w/c 23 November 2026.
Further Information
If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Sean Neill, Director for Energy & Climat Change at [email protected] .
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
