Director of Place - SIC09042

Shetland Islands Council; Lerwick; On-site; GBP 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance up to £8,000

Distant Islands Allowance £2,997

Job summary

Shetland Islands Council is seeking a Director of Place in Lerwick to lead a broad portfolio including housing, economic development, transport and regulatory services. You will provide strategic oversight to Service Leads, ensuring delivery aligns with corporate priorities and maximises value for money across the islands.

The role offers a high-visibility position with engagement across elected members, stakeholders and the press, supporting sustainable community and local economy development.

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight to Service Leads across key areas, ensuring delivery aligns with corporate priorities.
• Ensure services perform well while delivering value for money and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and politicians.
• Lead on major island initiatives and energy, housing, transport and growth projects with focus on economic development.

Job description

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Director of Place

£125K* plus Distant Islands Allowance of £2,997

* interim salary pending the outcome of the current Management Review

A relocation allowance of up to £8,000 is also available.

A member of the Council's Corporate Management Team, the Director of Place leads a wide portfolio of services that are integral to building and supporting a sustainable community and local economy.

These include:

• Housing
• Economic Development & Growth
• Transport
• Ports & Harbours
• Roads
• Regulatory Services

This is a highly visible role that will see you work with a wide range of stakeholders and with our elected members to ensure that the islands' infrastructure and associated services support economic development and growth, enhance quality of life for residents and protects our natural environment.

You'll provide strategic oversight to Service Leads in each of the key areas, ensuring that delivery on the ground is aligned to corporate priorities, and that services perform well while delivering value for money. Your insight and influence will be essential to enabling us make the very most of the Council's assets and resources to support the islands' economy and its community.

There is a lot going on: maximising the potential of the Islands Growth Deal ; a major housing and development programme at The Knab ; an Inter-island Transport Connectivity Programme that will potentially see undersea tunnels link some of our islands alongside ongoing investment into the ferry network; hosting the UK's first fully licenced vertical launch spaceport ; as well also the ongoing transformation of the islands' energy industry . Shetland really is a unique place to live and work.

It's a role that demands a breadth of perspective and a curious mindset - you should be someone who thrives on variety, while knowing when you need to get close to the detail. This role is about people as much as place: the ability to foster positive working relationships across organisation and sectors will be key. And it's a portfolio of work that attracts attention and scrutiny from our politicians and from press - highly developed

Closing Date: 3rd November 2026

Additional Information

• The grade of this post is CO 34 - 36
• Salary shown in the advert, plus Distant Islands Allowance of £2,997 per annum (pro rata)
• Permanent Full Time post for 37.0 Hours per Week, 52.18 weeks per year
• Preferred candidates will be required to undertake a Level 2 Disclosure check prior to a formal offer of employment being made
• Politically Restricted Post - this post is designated under the terms of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, and the postholder is restricted as to the undertaking of political activity
• A relocation package does apply to this post
• We will pay interview expenses from within the UK
• You must have the ability to travel throughout Shetland at short notice and where public transport is limited
• We are happy to talk flexible working

During the application process you are required to give the names of two persons not related to you, who we can contact to provide a reference to support your application.

This post is based at 8 North Ness, Lerwick

If you have a disability which prevents you from applying online, please call 01595 744032.

Information about Shetland

Shetland is an archipelago in the north of the British Isles where you'll find freedom, wildlife and wild beauty, but also a rich culture and dynamic, forward-looking society. The Islands have a thriving and diverse economy full of opportunities and offer residents the ideal work/life balance. Shetland combines stunning coastal landscapes and wide open spaces with friendly, bustling island communities. Factor in Shetland's impressive modern amenities, highly regarded schools and the Islands offer a work life balance rarely found elsewhere.

Find out more about:

Living and working in Shetland: here

The Shetland Islands Council: here