Director of People and Strategy

Aspen People; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 94,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Director of People and Strategy for Scottish Canals. This role, based in Glasgow or Falkirk, involves providing leadership across HR, Health & Safety, Sustainability, and more. The successful candidate should have significant strategic leadership experience, a proven track record in organizational change, and strong stakeholder management skills. Offering a salary of £94,648 – £103,424, alongside flexible working options, this position provides a unique chance to influence strategy and culture while preserving Scotland’s canal heritage.

Benefits

32 days annual leave plus 6 public holidays

Enhanced sick pay

Health cash plan

Life assurance (4x salary)

Contributory pension (10% employer contribution)

Qualifications

• Significant strategic leadership experience in large or complex organisations.
• Proven track record of delivering organisational change and transformation.
• Experience in public sector or transferable complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead corporate strategy and organisational performance monitoring.
• Drive transformational change and embed cultural improvements.
• Act as senior point of contact for Trade Unions and lead negotiations.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Financial management

Negotiation skills

Cultural change

Job description

Director of People and Strategy

Scottish Canals | Hybrid – Glasgow or Falkirk

£94,648 – £103,424 | 35 hours per week | Permanent

About Scottish Canals

Scottish Canals is the custodian of Scotland’s 5 canal networks (141 miles of scheduled national monuments) and surrounding estates, investing in waterways to generate lasting benefit for people and communities. We are much more than a transport network; the organisation contributes at every level to Scottish government’s national performance framework, through celebrating industrial heritage, tourism, active travel by providing quality green and blue spaces, and integral to contributing to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change.

Operating across a broad range of activities - from boating and active travel networks to community economic regeneration and environmental enhancement - Scottish Canals works collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to support a wealthier, fairer, greener, and more resilient Scotland. Its values – We Care, We Create, We Collaborate and our people underpin everything we do.

The Role

The Director of People and Strategy will provide leadership across multiple functions, including People (HR), Health & Safety, Sustainability, Heritage, Communications, and Project Management (PMO). Key responsibilities include:

• Leading corporate strategy, business planning, stakeholder engagement and organisational performance monitoring.
• Driving transformational change and embedding cultural and behavioural improvements.
• Acting as senior point of contact for Trade Unions, leading negotiations and influencing change.
• Ensuring statutory compliance and robust governance across all business areas.
• Enhancing internal and external communications to engage staff, volunteers, stakeholders, and communities.

This role is high-profile, requiring a strategic thinker with the ability to influence across a complex, public-facing organisation.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will have:

• Significant strategic leadership experience in large or complex organisations, ideally within the public sector, but serious consideration of transferable skills gained in comparable complex environments will be given.
• A proven track record of delivering organisational change and transformation, including cultural change and process improvement.
• Senior level leadership in one or more disciplines of Strategy Development, Health & Safety, Sustainability, Heritage, and Communications.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and experience operating in political or multi‑partner environments.
• Financial and resource management experience, including budget oversight and performance frameworks.
• Outstanding communication, negotiation, and engagement skills, able to influence and inspire diverse teams.
• A values‑driven, collaborative, and outcome‑focused leadership style.

Terms & Benefits

• Permanent appointment, £94,648 – £103,424 (Pay Band J, pay award pending April 2026).
• 35‑hour working week with flexible working options.
• 32 days annual leave plus 6 public holidays.
• Enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, health cash plan, life assurance (4x salary), and contributory pension with up to 10% employer contribution.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to influence the strategy, culture, and people agenda of Scottish Canals while safeguarding Scotland’s canal heritage for future generations. The role offers a chance to work at the intersection of strategy, people, and public service, delivering tangible impact for staff, communities, and visitors.

Scottish Canals is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Contact

For a confidential discussion, please contact Lauryn Pringle at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.

More information can be found on our dedicated recruitment microsite at: https://www.aspenpeople.co.uk/scottishcanals/

To apply, please upload your CV and cover letter (as one document) below.

Closing date

Monday 26th January 2026