Assistant Director, Public Affairs (Grade M1) (Maternity Cover)

Scottish Funding Council; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Edinburgh is seeking an Assistant Director for Public Affairs on a full-time fixed-term basis. The successful candidate will lead the Public Affairs function, enhance government relations, and advise senior colleagues. They should have extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, exceptional communication skills, and a solid understanding of the Scottish political landscape. This role offers a competitive salary and flexible hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Civil Service Pension

Support for continuous professional development

Health and wellbeing support

Volunteering Days

Qualifications

• Experience in a complex political environment, particularly with stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of Scottish and UK political systems.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Public Affairs function and government relations.
• Provide briefings for senior colleagues and parliamentary committees.
• Assist in the development and delivery of advice for stakeholders.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Leadership skills

Education

Degree level (SCQF Level 9) or equivalent

Job description

Assistant Director, Public Affairs (Grade M1) (Maternity Cover)

Application Deadline: 11 January 2026

Department: Corporate Services

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Edinburgh - Hybrid

Compensation: Grade M1 £64,659 - £76,260. Civil Service Pension. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working.

Description

To lead the SFC’s Public Affairs function, providing effective and strategic government and parliamentary relations in a way which enhances SFC’s reputation as a responsive and expert advisor; to develop central oversight of the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament; and to advise senior colleagues through expert advice.

Virtual interviews will take place week commencing 19 January 2026.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality, bespoke briefings for senior colleagues, including briefings for parliamentary committees.
• Provide well-evidenced advice across all areas of stakeholder engagement, with a particular focus on government and parliamentary relations.
• Lead the government and parliamentary relations function, ensuring that government and parliamentary key engagements are reflected in the organisation’s operational plans; and establishing and maintaining good working relationships with government and parliamentary stakeholders.
• Oversee an effective and responsive parliamentary monitoring process (e.g. tracking Parliamentary Questions, committees, debates etc.) to identify where interest lies in SFC-related issues and ensure appropriate follow‑up.
• Ensure SFC makes appropriate input into parliamentary inquiries and co‑ordinate written and oral evidence ensuring that those giving evidence are appropriately briefed.
• Take a leading role, with support from External Affairs and Policy colleagues, in the development and delivery of SFC advice and messages for government and parliamentary audiences.
• Deputise for the Head of External Affairs (Deputy Director) as required.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

Essential

• Experience of stakeholder engagement and influencing within a complex political environment, particularly with parliament, representative bodies, national government and agencies.
• Experience of the development and delivery of advice and key messages for internal and external stakeholders.
• A demonstrable understanding of the current Scottish and UK political and government operating environment.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner, demonstrating good judgement in a politicised environment.
• Effective organisation and project management skills to respond to a diverse and changing workload.
• Highly developed people and leadership skills: including influencing, negotiating and relationship management, and a proven track record of leading and managing people effectively.
• Educated to degree level (SCQF Level 9) or equivalent.

Desirable

• Experience of non‑departmental public bodies, further education, higher education, research and/or innovation.
• Experience of managing an operational function efficiently and effectively.

Terms and Benefits

· Normal full‑time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi‑time system is in operation.

· Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro‑rata. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro‑rata.

· A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in‑person contact with colleagues.

· Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.

· Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation‑proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty. Details of contribution rates together with further details of the pension benefits are available on the Civil Service Pensions website. There is also the option of a Partnership pension account.

· Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development. Civil Service‑Learning curriculum has thoughtfully designed to cater to various learning preferences, allowing employees to engage in a manner that best suits their needs. All our educational resources are conveniently accessible through the CSL website.

· Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), a contribution to learning outside work through our Lifelong Learning Fund, free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.

· We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days.

· Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest‑free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first‑come basis.

Although most salaried roles are advertised as full‑time positions (35 hours a week), we are happy to discuss part‑time or compressed hours to suit a candidate’s circumstances. We also operate a flexible working scheme to work around a candidate's other commitments such as caring responsibilities. We will consider secondment applications for most salaried fixed‑term or temporary positions and in many cases also for salaried permanent positions. If you are interested in applying on a secondment basis and this option is not explicitly mentioned in the job advert, please contact [e-mail] for further information.