Chief Operating Officer, Social Security Scotland

The Methodist Church in Britain; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Flexi-leave

Hybrid working

Wide range of employee benefits

Job summary

Social Security Scotland is seeking an Executive Team member to lead operational delivery of devolved benefits. You will oversee a workforce of around 3,000, drive performance with data, and provide assurance to the Chief Executive on strategy, capability and financial stewardship.

The role involves travel across sites and regular interaction with Ministers and partners. Hybrid working with two office days per week and involvement in governance, risk management and transformation priorities sits

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale operational delivery with performance outcomes.
• Transformation and continuous improvement in complex organisations.
• Board/Executive-level governance and assurance experience.
• Experience leading dispersed workforces and inclusive cultures.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of organisational strategy to ensure efficient, effective and outcome-focused services.
• Provide strategic leadership for Client Services Delivery, removing barriers and ensuring reliable service.
• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive on performance, capability and financial sustainability.
• Drive performance through data, insight and management information.
• Lead an inclusive, high-performing workforce and build leadership capability.
• Oversee financial planning and compliance with financial requirements.
• Contribute to Executive Team strategy and ministerial priority delivery with partners.
• Build trusted relationships with Ministers and external partners, with reporting on performance.
• Support governance, risk management, resilience and service modernisation.

Skills

Leadership

Quality service management

Big-picture thinking

Communication and influence

Delivery at pace

Job description

Executive Team member leading operational delivery at Social Security Scotland, a Scottish Government executive agency that runs devolved benefits for more than a third of the population. The post oversees a workforce of about 3,000 colleagues, covering delivery performance, risk and financial stewardship, with assurance reporting to the Chief Executive. The role sits in a highly scrutinised setting with Ministerial and Parliamentary attention, hybrid working with two office days a week and regular travel across sites. Security Check clearance and five years' UK residency are required before appointment.

What the job involves

• Lead delivery of organisational strategy so benefit services are efficient, effective, compliant and outcome-focused
• Provide strategic leadership for Client Services Delivery, removing barriers and ensuring reliable service
• Provide assurance to the Chief Executive on performance, capability, financial sustainability, resilience and strategic priorities
• Drive performance through data, insight and management information, embedding continuous improvement
• Lead and influence an inclusive, engaged, high-performing workforce and build organisational and leadership capability
• Oversee financial planning and performance and compliance with financial requirements
• Contribute to Executive Team strategy, transformation and delivery of ministerial priorities with the Scottish Government and partners
• Build trusted relationships with Ministers, senior leaders and external partners, providing advice, assurance and performance reporting
• Support governance, risk management, operational resilience and service modernisation, including adoption of new systems
• Lead an operational workforce of around 3,000 colleagues, including health and social care professionals, across Scotland
• Lead operational priorities supporting the Public Service Reform agenda and engage with Local Authorities, Health Boards and third sector partners
• Provide visible leadership across geographically dispersed teams, travelling to sites and Scottish Government locations

What’s required

Experience

• Proven experience leading large-scale operational delivery functions with accountability for performance and outcomes
• Demonstrable success leading organisational transformation and continuous improvement in complex organisations
• Extensive Board and Executive-level experience in strategic leadership, governance and assurance in highly scrutinised environments
• Track record leading large, geographically dispersed workforces and building high-performing, inclusive cultures
• Experience leading through complex change and delivering person-centred services to people in vulnerable circumstances

Skills & knowledge

• Success Profile Level 6 behaviours: leadership, managing a quality service, seeing the big picture, communicating and influencing, delivering at pace

Checks & eligibility

• Baseline Personnel Security Standard: identity, right to work, employment history and unspent criminal record check
• Security Check (SC) clearance, requiring five years' UK residency prior to the vetting application

What’s offered

• Flexible working options, including Flexi-leave
• Standard hours of 37 per week
• Hybrid working with a minimum of two office days a week
• Wide range of employee benefits
• Supportive and inclusive working environment