Lead Specialist Advisor

Scottish Enterprise; Holytown; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

35 days leave + public holidays

LGPS pension

Training & development

Job summary

SEPA is seeking a Lead Specialist Advisor to strengthen industrial environmental regulation. You will lead expert data provision, develop guidance, and oversee complex cases to protect Scotland's environment.

You will build stakeholder relationships, shape policy, mentor colleagues, and drive collaborative One SEPA outcomes with strategic thinking and strong project management.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial environmental regulation and policy.
• Knowledge of legislation relating to environmental regulation.
• Strong planning, analytical and project management skills.
• Clear report writing and presentation of proposals.
• Sound judgement and operational knowledge for complex issues.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the provision of expert data and advice on industrial environmental regulation.
• Develop guidance, procedures and training to support compliance and enforcement.
• Monitor and respond to legislative developments across governments.
• Lead investigation and management of complex, high-profile cases.
• Build relationships with regulators, industry and forums for SEPA positioning.
• Lead policy development and coordinate resources across portfolios.
• Supervise and mentor colleagues, provide guidance and training.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking, collaboration and project leadership.
• Make regulatory recommendations and escalate significant matters.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

SCQF Level 10 or equivalent degree

Job description

We are recruiting for a full-time Lead Specialist Advisor - Industrial Regulation on a permanent basis

Your passion has never had a greater purpose

Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.

That’s why, when you join us as Lead Specialist Advisor, you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.

Work that goes beyond your desk

Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment. As Lead Specialist Advisor, that involves:

• Lead the provision of expert, robust professional data and advice on industrial environmental regulation including the development of guidance, procedures and training to support compliance, enforcement and assurance, drawing on SEPA‑held data where available
• Monitor, analyse and respond to industrial environmental legislative and policy developments across Scottish and UK governments, including identifying and advising on potential legislative changes to inform Government and other regulators
• Lead the investigation and management of the most complex and high‑profile cases and compliance assurance interventions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, regulators, industry and political forums to ensure the organisation’s position is effectively represented, including collaborating on joint guidance and shared ways of working to support high standards of environmental protection
• Lead policy and/or strategy development, research and improvement for industrial activities, ensuring integration across portfolios and achieving all relevant outcomes, co-ordinating people and financial resources
• Supervise/mentor colleagues, monitor the quality of output and provide guidance, support and training where required
• Effective, demonstrable leadership skills, including strategic thinking, a clear solution focused mentality, strong collaborative skills, the ability to influence and resolve conflict, and effective project management and organisational capability
• Make regulatory recommendations, engage senior peer review where needed, and support Senior Managers in escalating significant or contentious matters
• Work collaboratively with other specialists in the team and across SEPA to ensure an informed One SEPA approach and outcome

Respect for your expertise

This is a highly important role within our Regulation, Business & Environment portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• Relevant industrial experience or qualification equivalent to SCQF Level 10 (e.g. relevant Degree)
• A comprehensive knowledge of the legislation and policy relating to environmental industrial regulation
• Well-developed planning, analytical and project management skills together with strong interpersonal, consultative and negotiating skills
• Written skills are essential in report composition and the presentation of complex and detailed proposals and recommendations
• Demonstrate sound judgement and strong operational knowledge to resolve varied and complex issues
• Understand, interpret and communicate technical industry related reports, evidence and regulations
• Strong people skills, including empathy, tact and sound judgement when mentoring, supporting staff and balancing priorities

Please open the link to the Lead Specialist Advisor role profile link which outlines the core responsibilities and expectations of the role within adefined activity family. Please note the role profile name may be different to the job title being advertised.

Support that goes beyond the workplace

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies
• Training & development to enablecolleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

Passionately you. Purposefully supportive

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment – and your career.

Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise – and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.

We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis.

We support flexible workingarrangements to help you maintain a healthy balancebetween career and homelife. This includes workingpart time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely.As a flexible first employer we are open to havingconversations about flexible working arrangementsthat work for you and SEPA from day 1 of youremployment with us.

Weareproudtobea'DisabilityConfident'employerandwillworktoidentifyandimplementreasonableadjustmentsandequipmenttosupportyou in the role that you do.

Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates willundergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotlandcheck.

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at [e-mail]