Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Networks

Job summary

Power the future of public services, transforming infrastructure, networks, and platforms across the Scottish Government.

We are seeking a strategic and experienced digital leader, with a strong track record of delivering large-scale technology services and leading high-performing teams, to help shape and drive the future of public services in Scotland.

The technologies and services delivered and supported by Corporate Operations are critical to the effective running and management of the Scottish Government, and the many bodies who share these services. We will deliver, support and embed many technology and support services that will help make the Scottish Government one of the most effective and efficient organisations in their peer group, globally.

This role sits within the Technology group of the DDaT profession at SCS1, with the postholder responsible for leading operational delivery of technology infrastructure, platforms and services for Scottish Government and shared services customers in the central government sector across Scotland.

The post holder will lead a team of 100+ DDaT professionals within the functional areas of SCOTS Architecture Management, Identity and SCOTS Access, Back Office Network Management and Corporate / Back Office Cloud Platforms.

As a leader within the Digital Officer Role Group within the Scottish Government’s Digital, Data and Technology profession, the post holder will ensure that we run, optimise and transform our networks / infrastructure, desktop and mobile capabilities on an ongoing basis

Job description

• Ensure the organisation’s infrastructure is secure, modern, cloud‑enabled, and fully aligned with strategic goals, while continuously moving away from on‑premise environments.
• Drive innovation by ensuring infrastructure removes barriers to using corporate applications, automation, Power Platform, AI, and mobile solutions, and by enabling other technology layers to leverage new capabilities.
• Develop and implement device and infrastructure strategies that balance flexibility, security, compliance, and diverse organisational needs, while modernising within agreed budgets.
• Maximise value from suppliers by adopting relevant innovations, utilising value‑added services, and making strong, evidence‑based cases for investment where appropriate.
• Build strong collaboration across technology teams, architects, and wider Scottish Government partners to ensure infrastructure effectively supports end‑to‑end solutions and shared service propositions for Scotland.
• Establish and sustain a capable, professional infrastructure team that can manage the platform, reduce operational risk, deliver dependable shared services, and promote digital services across the central government landscape.

Person specification

Success Profile

It is essential that you can provide evidence of the following lead criteria and experience points below within your CV and supporting statement.

Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT)

Demonstrate strong, strategic leadership of large-scale IT infrastructure and technical operations, with a proven ability to deliver complex programmes, manage significant budgets, and align technology services with organisational priorities. Be digitally literate, with the ability to engage effectively with technical teams, suppliers and stakeholders to shape and define the best approach to service design. Brings demonstrable experience of agile delivery methodologies, open-source technologies, cloud platforms and digital services at scale, alongside deep expertise in a relevant digital, data or technology domain.

Experience:

• Proven leadership: A history of leading teams and managing technical operations or infrastructure projects.
• Large-scale infrastructure management: Direct experience managing the infrastructure for a large organisation, including upgrades, migrations, and disaster recovery plans.
• Project delivery: A track record of successfully managing and delivering complex IT projects.
• Budget and financial management: Experience managing significant budgets and allocating resources to meet business objectives.
• Strategic alignment: Experience in aligning IT infrastructure strategy with broader business goals.
• Reporting to leadership: The ability to present performance reports, risks, and system health to senior leadership.
• Vendor and contract management: Experience in negotiating with and managing vendors to ensure services and hardware are provided effectively.
• Cybersecurity principles, data management, and IT service management frameworks like ITIL is also valued.

Behaviours: Level 5

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self & Others
• Seeing The Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £97,819, Scottish Government contributes £28,338 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the lead criteria and experience listed in the Success Profile above. Behaviours will be tested at Interview.

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.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of psychometric assessment, interview and a presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 31 August however this may be subject to change.

Recruitment Principles

As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

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, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy.

You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Brian Reid
• Email : scsrecruitment@gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : scsrecruitment@gov.scot

Further information

https://fa-evxn-saasfaukgovprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/4148/?utm_medium=jobboard&utm_source=CivilServiceJobs