Director of Strategy, Governance and Engagement

Closing date for applications

10.00 am, Monday 16 February

SRUC is led by the Principal & Chief Executive, supported by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The ELT provides collective strategic leadership, ensuring the delivery of SRUC’s vision, long‑term sustainability and organisational performance.

ELT members operate as corporate leaders as well as portfolio leads. They work collaboratively to translate strategic intent into measurable impact, support effective governance and assurance, and lead cultural and organisational change in a complex, regulated and mission‑driven environment.

This appointment forms a key part of SRUC’s evolving executive capacity as it delivers its strategic ambitions.

The Director of Strategy, Governance & Engagement provides senior executive leadership to shape SRUC’s future direction and ensure confident delivery of its strategic objectives.

Acting as the strategic oversight and assurance arm of the Executive Leadership Team, the role leads institutional strategy and performance, champions effective and proportionate governance, and strengthens SRUC’s external influence through evidence‑led decision‑making and targeted policy and stakeholder engagement.

The postholder is the executive lead for SRUC’s institutional assurance framework, integrating strategy delivery, performance, governance and risk to support high‑quality decision‑making by the Principal, ELT and SRUC Board.

The role is designed to enable, not duplicate, existing academic, commercial and professional leadership. Delivery is achieved through strategic leadership, assurance, influence and framework‑setting rather than direct operational control.

The postholder will:

• Work through established governance and management structures
• Focus on impact, coherence and assurance rather than activity volume
• Provide disciplined, constructive challenge and early escalation of risk
• Ensure decisions are anchored in transparent data and agreed priorities

More information on the responsibilities and accountabilities of this role can be found in the Job Particulars document.

Educated to SCQF Level 9 - degree level or equivalent professional experience, with evidence of operating at a highly senior strategic level. Postgraduate or relevant professional qualifications are desirable.

• Significant experience in strategic planning, governance and assurance within a complex organisation.
• Expertise in Board and Committee support, governance frameworks, compliance and institutional assurance.
• Senior leadership experience with credibility and impact at Executive and Board level.
• Strong external engagement and policy or advocacy experience.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, insight and performance frameworks to inform decision‑making.

For the full person specification, please download the Job Particulars document before you apply for this role.

This position may meet the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.

• Generous annual leave
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted RAC Membership
• Generous family leave
• Hybrid working solutions
• Tailored investment in individuals' learning and development

Please complete an online application form by pressing “apply”

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SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Disability Confident Employer” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.

SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046