Jobs in Canal, Glasgow

Scottish Canals are currently looking to recruit a Head of Placemaking. This is a new role and the successful candidate will lead on ensuring that our places are well designed, create opportunities and that they are accessible, sustainable, and relevant for people and communities. The Head of Placemaking is responsible for devising Scottish Canals Placemaking Strategy and plans including leading a holistic and integrated approach to designing places and spaces which are canal-relevant along our network. They will oversee project management and delivery including identifying and securing external funds for programmes and projects. A key aspect is engagement with stakeholders and communities to helps us find new ways to connect people with place and deliver maximum public benefit whilst safeguarding significance.

The Head of Placemaking will have and continue to build the external networks, leading senior level relationships with key partners to ensure we are innovative, creative, and collaborative.

As a member of the Senior Management Group, the Head of Placemaking contributes to promoting Scottish Canals’ vision, values and reputation and contributing to the priorities identified through the Corporate Plan.

This critical role will have responsibility for:

• Developing a Placemaking strategy and action plan that aligns to the Scottish Government’s Place Principle and contributes to the National Performance Framework as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals and maximising our wider contribution to Inclusive Growth, Community Wealth Building, A Zero Nation and Wellbeing agendas.

• Building and nurturing partnerships which support Scottish Canals’ plans to enhance canal infrastructure, specifically improving accessibility, connectivity and opportunities for communities, customers, and partners to benefit from the canal network.

• Creating and shaping programmes of projects to realise strategic intentions, mitigate risk and promote solutions whilst maintaining heritage canal assets. Sponsoring project development and seeking the necessary approvals. Ensuring the delivery is to the appropriate level of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plans and programme governance arrangements.

• Identifying, leveraging, and deploying funding streams that maybe available including grants and other funding sources by building cases for investment.

• Keeping abreast of all industry trends, developments, and legislation on planning, placemaking and construction.

• Defining KPIs, management information and reporting relating to placemaking driving continuous improvement. Ensure accurate and timely reporting is provided to the relevant stakeholders and ensure any statutory, internal, or external reporting is provided on time, validated and accurate.

• Ensuring appropriate policies, standards and targets are in place and communicated across the organisation, and with suppliers, and stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• Considerable practical place making experience or relevant experience professional qualification in architecture, landscape architecture, design, or architectural conservation.

• A strong strategic vision for placemaking and design underpinned by effective project management, from ideas to implementation.

• Proven track record in securing and managing funds

• Building effective relationships that generate confidence, respect, and collaborative working at all levels, and at senior levels, operating with sensitivity and political acuity.

• Exceptional leadership skills, able to motivate and inspire others.

• Creativity and innovation, ability to lead and drive cultural change.

• Experience and understanding of the application of conservation principles in heritage settings.

• A track record of working with developers, contractors, and supply chain.

• Strong analytical skills, focused on evidence and insight, able to interpret and contextualise complex information and situations to identify solutions.

• Strives for continuous improvement, innovation, and efficiency, taking responsibility for managing and improving all relevant standards, policies, processes, and governance relating to the role.

• Excellent organisational skills and able to demonstrate determination, focus and self-awareness needed to sustain effectiveness.

The role is offered on a permanent full-time basis, based on a blended working model from our Falkirk office and home working.

Scottish Canals also offers flexible working, a generous annual leave entitlement of 34 days rising to 39 after 5 years (inc. public holidays), along with enhanced company sick pay and a contributory pension scheme with up to a 10% employer contribution.