Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

NatureScot; South Kesteven; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a visionary Chief Executive to lead its mission of nature conservation in Scotland. This pivotal role involves driving strategic initiatives, ensuring operational excellence, and advocating for the natural environment. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a strategic mindset, and an ability to engage with diverse stakeholders. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on Scotland's natural heritage while promoting sustainability and inclusivity within the organization. Join a dedicated team committed to preserving Scotland's unique landscapes and biodiversity for future generations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading change in a government agency or conservation sector.
• Ability to manage complex issues and develop practical solutions.
• Strong strategic and financial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to ensure NatureScot leads in conservation efforts.
• Drive the organisation’s strategic vision and operational excellence.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across sectors.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Vision

Communication

Problem-Solving

Financial Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Inclusivity

Environmental Advocacy

Job description

Job Purpose Summary

NatureScot is seeking an exceptional leader to guide Scotland’s leading nature conservation agency into its next phase of development and delivery.

As we face the growing challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, we are looking for a visionary Chief Executive to champion our mission, enhance our impact and lead our work in protecting and restoring Scotland’s unique natural heritage.

For decades, NatureScot has been at the heart of Scotland’s conservation efforts, working with communities, businesses and government to safeguard our landscapes, wildlife and biodiversity. With a dedicated team across the country, we play a leading role in shaping policies, implementing strategies, advising government ministers and promoting Scotland’s natural assets, ensuring they are preserved for generations to come.

The Role:

As Chief Executive, you will provide strong, visible leadership, ensuring that NatureScot remains at the forefront of Scotland’s nature conservation efforts.

You will be responsible for driving the organisation’s strategic vision, ensuring we meet our goals of nature conservation, sustainability and societal impact.

Reporting to the Board, you will lead a talented and diverse team across Scotland, ensuring operational excellence, financial sustainability and continued growth.

You will be the public face of NatureScot, advocating for Scotland’s natural environment and building relationships with key stakeholders across government, the private sector, and local communities. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving the delivery of our strategy and ensuring the challenges facing nature conservation are met with innovative and effective solutions.

We are seeking a Chief Executive with the following attributes:

• A visionary leader with the experience and ability to drive change within a similarly sized organisation, ideally within a government agency or conservation-focused sector.
• A skilled problem-solver, able to manage multiple complex issues and develop practical solutions while ensuring alignment with our core mission.
• An outstanding communicator and networker, with the ability to represent NatureScot at the highest levels and build strong, productive relationships with key decision-makers across diverse sectors.
• Public-facing, media-savvy and confident in dealing with stakeholders, ranging from government ministers to local farmers, communities and environmental groups.
• A strong strategic and financial mindset, with a deep understanding of managing budgets and leading complex organisations through change and growth.
• A commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring NatureScot remains a welcoming, accessible and collaborative organisation for all.
• A passionate advocate for nature, with a clear understanding of the importance of Scotland’s environment to both the economy and the future wellbeing of its people.

Prerequisites

• To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application.
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract.
• Applicants must be able to travel across Scotland to attend meetings and site visits as required – this may involve occasional overnight stays away from home.

Gaelic language

• Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan.

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices.

Applications

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a covering letter (no longer than two pages), outlining your relevant skills and experience [e-mail], bymidnight on Sunday 25 May.

For further information and how to apply

https://www.nature.scot/chief-executive-officer

For a confidential, informal discussion about the role please contact LHH directly at [phone] or email [e-mail]

Nature is vital to us all, so it’s important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.

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