Head of Asset Management

About Us

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change.

Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team - we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities and services, from boating, and mooring, paddling, walking and wheeling, to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities.

We also work collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland.

As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to safeguarding our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Asset Management to join our Engineering & Assets Directorate, based in Glasgow or Falkirk.

In this senior leadership role, you will lead and govern the full Asset Management function across Scottish Canals, ensuring safe, compliant and high‑performing infrastructure through robust asset strategy, lifecycle planning, data intelligence and risk management.

The role is offered on a permanent basis, working 35 hours per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Scottish Canals’ Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Plan
• Lead the inspection, optimisation and lifecycle management of a national infrastructure portfolio
• Advise the Executive Management Team and Board on asset condition, risk exposure and long‑term investment needs
• Oversee multi‑year capital and revenue investment planning (circa £18.5m annually)
• Ensure statutory compliance, engineering governance and effective risk escalation
• Lead asset information systems, data integrity and digital innovation (including AMX)
• Develop and lead a high‑performing Asset Management Division (13 staff)
• Foster strong cross‑directorate collaboration and continuous improvement

About the Reward

This role offers a salary of £66,672 – £72,854 (Band H), plus a standby allowance.

Scottish Canals also provide:

• 32 days annual leave plus 6 public holidays
• Enhanced sick pay
• Health cash plan
• Discounted shopping vouchers
• Contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution

About You

Qualifications & Knowledge

• Honours degree in Engineering, Asset Management or a related discipline
• Chartered or Incorporated status (ICE, IAM or equivalent)
• Strong knowledge of asset lifecycle management, engineering risk and statutory compliance
• Experience with digital asset information systems (e.g. AMX)

Skills & Experience

• Proven leadership in a complex, regulated infrastructure or engineering environment
• Experience managing significant budgets and multi‑year capital programmes
• Strong analytical, risk‑based decision‑making capability
• Ability to develop long‑term investment strategies and business cases
• Excellent communication and influencing skills at senior and Board level

Qualities & Abilities

• Strategic, collaborative and values‑driven leader
• Committed to continuous improvement and innovation
• Strong people leadership with a focus on capability and engagement
• Demonstrates Scottish Canals’ values: Care, Create, Collaborate



Scottish Canals reserve the right to close this vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received.