The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s principal environmental regulator. On the front line of action to tackle the climate and nature emergencies and support a just transition to Net Zero, every day we work to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment, helping communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet. We call this One Planet Prosperity.

As a non-departmental public body of Scottish Government, our role is to make sure that the environment and human health are protected, to ensure that Scotland’s natural resources and services are used as sustainably as possible and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

With around 1,250 staff working across Scotland, a national remit and a budget of over £80 million, SEPA is responsible for delivering two core services - regulation and flood risk management.

Like everyone, we’ve been challenged by the pandemic. Like others before us, and many since, we’ve also faced down a serious and significant cyber-attack and a change in leadership. But at SEPA, we’re determined to be defined by our future, not by our recent past. As we look to that future, we’re building on solid foundations and our organisational recovery will strengthen our delivery of important regulation and flooding priorities, supporting transformational change.

We’re now seeking a fresh leader, an exceptional Chief Executive to work closely with the Chair and the Agency Board to develop further the strategic direction for the organisation and lead the organisation into the future.

A natural collaborator and team builder to work with and help our people succeed, you’ll provide inclusive and ambitious leadership to the organisation. You’ll bring strong people focus, communication skills and be comfortable in change management. You’ll lead this dynamic and important organisation in helping deliver positive environmental outcomes, sustainable and inclusive growth for Scotland.

As the successful candidate you’ll bring prior experience working at Chief Executive or senior management level, either as a business or public sector leader. You’ll bring an understanding and appreciation of the complex and high-level stakeholder environment in which SEPA operates and be comfortable working with and across national and local government. You’ll bring a natural ability to develop effective partnerships across public, private and third sector partners, have strong experience of developing and delivering a strategic vision and leadership of a successful team. A passion and genuine enthusiasm for the work of SEPA is essential and you’ll bring a strong alignment with the mission and vision of SEPA.

Your opportunity is to join us and help us succeed. Because when we succeed, Scotland succeeds. It’s the challenge of a lifetime.

At SEPA, we’re committed to building a workplace reflective of the country we serve. We’re committed to supporting diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from individuals from the widest possible backgrounds.

The role is based in Scotland, and you’ll be expected to travel across our nation, being visible in SEPA’s key locations.

SEPA is happy to consider flexible work arrangements and we proudly use the “Happy to Talk Flexible Working” logo on all our job vacancies. If you want to work part-time or through some other flexible arrangement, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s environment, helping communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet. We call this One Planet Prosperity.

Our statutory purpose is clear, that we need to create environmental success in ways that, as far as possible, also create social and economic success. The two core services we deliver for the people of Scotland are regulation and flood risk management and we have established a radical strategy for how we’ll drive change - One Planet Prosperity.

Great communication is integral to the delivery of this strategy. We recognise that a world-class environment protection agency requires world-class communications that inspire confidence in SEPA, its strategy, services and people through clear, strong, innovative and collaborative communications.

To do this we will make great communications an integral part of the role each one of our people plays across the organisation.

Working closely with the Head of Communications, the successful candidate will drive SEPA’s Digital Communications activity, supporting the ‘Communicating One Planet Prosperity’ communications strategy and annual operating plan within a fresh, dynamic and fast paced Communications & Marketing Unit.

Working across a series of teams, you’ll be responsible for a series of digital communication programmes including a web refresh project and channels including SEPA websites, microsites, social media channels and new Sharepoint intranet.

You’ll do so against the backdrop of a global health pandemic, where the organisation is following home working requirements. You’ll also do so in a period where the organisation is recovering from a significant cyber-attack.

Working as part of the wider team you’ll support a 24/7, 365 days per year out of hours digital and communications rota, with the availability to drive and travel, including out of hours as required (subject to COVID restrictions).

Does this sound like you? If so, we would love to receive your application.