Head of Parliamentary Scrutiny

• Location: Hybrid working from Holyrood, Edinburgh and from home
• Leave: 41.5 days (including public holidays)
• Working Pattern: This is a full-time post working 35 hours. We’re committed to supporting staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance and are happy to talk about flexible working. This is a hybrid role, working from Holyrood and from home.
• Right to Work in the UK: The Scottish Parliament does not sponsor job applicants for employment visas. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK before starting employment.
• Pension: Although not a civil service employer, we offer civil service pension arrangements with an employer contribution of 28.97% of basic annual salary
• Clearance Required: CTC security clearance will be processed at job offer stage

Closing Date: 12:00 noon, Thursday 29 October 2026.

Would you like to make a difference in one of the most influential places in Scotland? Now's your chance!

This is an excellent opportunity to join the Scottish Parliament in a leadership role within the Parliamentary Business Directorate.

Reporting to the Director of Parliamentary Business, you’ll lead the Scrutiny Group which comprises of the Committee Office (encompassing the teams which support 14 of the 16 parliamentary committees); as well as providing strategic direction to the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) –the Parliament’s impartial research and information service.

As a principal adviser to the Parliament, you’ll lead on complex procedural and political handling matters. You’ll be a trusted adviser to the Presiding Officer, Clerk/Chief Executive and Director for Parliamentary Business. You’ll work closely with Members to support the delivery of our Strategic Plan for Session 7.

You’ll have experience of providing high-level procedural advice on the most important issues that the Parliament deals with in relation to its law-making and scrutiny functions. Integrity to uphold personal and professional standards will be vital to ensure the impartiality required in this role and forge trusted relationships.

We’re looking for a strategic leader who can anticipate and influence future priorities.

You’ll have outstanding people management skills and proven experience of motivating and inspiring multi-functional teams, capable of leading colleagues confidently through major organisational change. You’ll be effective in representing the Parliament’s interests with external stakeholders, notably the Scottish Government, and collaborating with partner organisations

If you’re looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to contribute to the Parliament’s vision, we’d love to hear from you.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a Minority Ethnic background and candidates with a disability.

All appointments will be made on merit. We have a values-based culture of respect and inclusion embedded in our organisation, and everyone has the ability to make a difference.

We offer a great range of benefits including:

• 41.5 leave days (including public holidays)
• flexible working
• paid professional subscriptions
• family-friendly policies
• Season Ticket advance loans
• an onsite gym facility
• Health and Wellbeing Schemes including discounted gym membership
• a confidential counselling and information service
• the Cycle to Work Scheme

You’ll also have the opportunity to join the Alpha Civil Service pension scheme, where we’ll offer you an employer contribution of 28.97% of your basic salary.

All new starts will be appointed to the first scale point of the grade for their role. For information on progression through the scale points, see our Pay and Reward Policy Statement.