*Please note this opportunity is now closed to further applications. Should you be interested in similar roles and wish to have an exploratory discussion, please contact Douglas Adam at [email protected].
Scotland’s ambitions to make the transition a net zero economy have taken centre stage following the COP26 conference in Glasgow and as the Scottish economy recovers from the impacts of the COVID pandemic.
Reaching the target of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with a 75% reduction by 2030, will bring about transformational change across the economy and society, and will provide significant opportunities for new high-quality green jobs, increasing access to growing global green markets for Scottish businesses and stimulating regional growth.
Ensuring that people have access to the right skills and training to capitalise on these opportunities will be a central component of delivering a Just Transition, and ensuring that Scotland’s economy grows and prospers. The Head of Green Skills and Climate Emergency for Skills Development Scotland will play a leading role in orchestrating and coordinating the collective response of the skills agencies, enterprise agencies and Scottish Government to the skills challenges and opportunities presented by the transition to net zero.
Developing and overseeing an ambitious, multi-year (3-5 years) strategic programme of activity directly aligned to the Climate Emergency Skills Actions Plan you will work with industry leaders and bodies to identify current and emerging skills requirements, develop skills investment strategies, influence government policy and funding and align skills provision behind the needs of sectors. Working in collaboration with partners across the skills system you will also better align the provision of apprenticeships, college and university provision with the needs of the transition to net zero.
A visible and inspiring leader with relevant programme design and delivery experience gained within the skills, learning or employability environment, you will have highly developed influencing and interpersonal skills. You will have the ability to work collaboratively and resolve matters where there are differences in terms of view and approach by various stakeholders. With the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of operational strategy and identify and implement changes in response to external factors, the successful candidate will also need to be highly resilient, creative and able to act as a change catalyst effectively leading and supporting others.
The role presents a unique opportunity to join Scotland’s national skills body and directly contribute to Scotland’s sustainable economic growth. Enhancing access to skills training which will be critical for successful decarbonisation and this position will play a key role in ensuring everyone in Scotland can benefit from the opportunities associated with Scotland’s transition to net zero.
As an organisation Skills Development Scotland embraces agile working and whilst their main office is in Glasgow, the successful candidate would not need to be based in Glasgow full time.
For further information on the opportunity, please contact Douglas Adam at our retained advisors, Livingston James, at [email protected]
SDS – Head of Green Skills and Climate Emergency Profile
Skills Development Scotland is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.
