Deputy Director of People, Strategy and Transformation

Help Shape the Future of Scottish Canals

Scottish Canals is one of Scotland’s most distinctive public organisations. As custodians of 141 miles of historic waterways, we connect communities, protect nationally significant heritage and create lasting social, environmental and economic value.

As we continue our organisational transformation, we’re looking for an exceptional leader to join our Executive leadership team as Deputy Director of People, Strategy and Transformation. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of an organisation that combines heritage, sustainability, commercial ambition and public service with a bold vision for organisational excellence.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of People & Strategy, you’ll be a key member of our senior leadership community, helping to shape organisational strategy while leading a broad portfolio of corporate and strategic services. You’ll provide visible, values-led leadership across multiple professional disciplines, building organisational capability, strengthening governance and driving transformational change. You’ll also act as Deputy to the Director, providing strategic leadership across the wider Directorate and representing Scottish Canals at Executive, Board and external forums. The portfolio and final reporting lines will be shaped around the successful candidate’s professional background, leadership experience and demonstrated competence, and may include responsibility for: People & Organisational Development Payroll & Reward Learning & Development Health, Safety & Quality Marketing & Communications Strategic Change & Development Heritage & Sustainability

Working closely with the Executive Management Team, Board, Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and a wide range of external partners, you’ll help shape decisions that deliver lasting benefit for Scotland’s people, places and communities.

What You’ll Bring

This role requires breadth, but it also calls for clear depth in the capabilities most critical to our future. You must bring substantial senior-level experience in strategic workforce planning, together with significant leadership experience in at least one other distinct professional area from the list below:

• People, organisational development, reward and learning
• Health, Safety and Environment
• Marketing and Communications
• Strategic Change and Development
• Heritage and Sustainability

Strategic workforce planning is an essential requirement and will be assessed separately; experience in another HR-related discipline will not substitute for it. Candidates must also demonstrate credible leadership depth in at least one additional, distinct area listed above, rather than relying on broad exposure across several related people functions.

Your substantive portfolio will be shaped around your experience, strengths and demonstrated competence, with final reporting lines determined following appointment. However, applicants who cannot evidence both strategic workforce planning expertise and a second distinct professional strength will not meet the essential criteria.

We’re looking for an accomplished senior leader with the credibility, judgement and influence to operate confidently across a complex organisation.

You’ll Bring:

Significant senior leadership experience within a complex organisation. A proven track record of leading organisational transformation and improvement. Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into delivery. Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills. Experience leading senior professional teams and developing organisational capability. Commercial, financial and governance awareness. Political awareness, sound judgement and resilience. An inclusive, collaborative leadership style aligned to our organisational values.

Applications are welcomed from leaders across the public, private and third sectors. We’re less interested in your current job title and more interested in your ability to lead, influence and deliver meaningful organisational outcomes. A degree (or equivalent leadership experience) is essential. Relevant professional qualifications are welcomed but are not essential.

Why Scottish Canals?

This is an opportunity to: Shape the future of a nationally significant organisation. Lead organisation-wide transformation and strategic change. Work across one of the most diverse leadership portfolios in Scotland. Influence Executive and Board decision-making. Develop high-performing teams and future leaders. Help deliver lasting environmental, social and economic impact across Scotland.

Reward

Salary £78,370 – £85,636 (Band I).

Starting salary will be determined in accordance with Scottish Canals’ pay arrangements and the successful candidate’s experience.

In addition, Scottish Canals offers an excellent benefits package including:

• 28 days’ annual leave, plus six public holidays
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Enhanced sick pay
• Health Cash Plan
• Employee discounts and wellbeing benefits

Join Us

If you’re an ambitious, values-led leader who enjoys shaping strategy, developing people and leading transformational change, we’d love to hear from you. Join us and help create lasting benefit for Scotland’s people, places and communities while shaping the future of one of Scotland’s most unique public organisations.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday 11th September 2026; applicants should ensure they are available on this date, as alternative interviews are unlikely to be accommodated.

Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.