Head of Practice and Advice

Purpose of role

This is a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for shaping, leading and delivering the Commissions advice and casework function to support responsible land ownership in Scotland.

You will lead and oversee our programme of advice and support for landowners, managers and communities, ensuring the practical implementation of Scotlands Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement. You will also play a central role in preparing the Commission for the new Land and Communities Commissioner functions, particularly in relation to the community engagement obligation on large landholdings.

We are looking for an experienced manager and confident leader who can bring direction, pace and focus to a complex and evolving area of work. You will need to be comfortable making decisions, setting priorities, leading through change and delivering results through others. This role requires someone who can combine strategic judgement with practical delivery, and who can work effectively in an environment where influence, credibility and clarity matter. You will also represent the Commission regularly at senior level with government and stakeholders.

You will provide strong leadership and line management to a team currently comprising the Land Rights and Responsibilities Manager, Good Practice Advisers and the Community Benefits from Nature Adviser. You will be responsible for supporting, developing and directing the team, ensuring they are clear on priorities, confident in their roles and able to deliver high-quality advice and casework.

As a member of the management team, you will also have a wider organisational leadership role. Working closely with the Chief Executive and senior colleagues, you will help ensure the Commission is effective, focused and influential, with the capability to deliver both its current responsibilities and the significant new functions ahead.

Key duties of the role

Delivery

• Lead and direct a programme of work to support and embed a culture of responsible land ownership, management and use across Scotland, realising in practice the principles of Scotlands Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement.
• Lead and direct an effective and robust approach to advice and casework, ensuring the Commission is a credible and trusted source of advice and guidance.
• Provide advice directly to landowners, managers and communities, handling sometimes sensitive situations and relationships.
• Lead development of the Commissions support for the new Land and Communities Commissioner role in enforcement of the community engagement obligation on large land holdings.
• Take lead responsibility for directing the development, delivery and reporting of agreed programmes within the business plan.
• Lead the advice and reporting to the board on the organisations strategic approach and delivery to strengthen practical implementation of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement.
• Lead and develop the Commissions strategic approach to voluntary good practice and its interaction with evolving statutory measures.
• Lead engagement with external partners, represent the Commission at a senior level, seek collaborations to extend the impact of the Commissions work, build stakeholder support and ensure our advice is rooted in a sound understanding of experience and evidence.

Management Team and Organisational

• Motivate, empower and direct the team to deliver effectively against the strategic and business plans, creating a culture of learning and development. Provide direction, guidance and line management for the Good Practice team.
• Build a strong reputation and profile for the Commission includingrepresenting the Commission regularly at a senior level with stakeholders, Scottish Government, Parliament, public meetings and events.
• As a part of the management team, co-ordinate the strategic planning, resourcing, reporting and strategic risk management to ensure sound governance.
• As part of the management team lead an effective system of organisational performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Hold delegated budget responsibility ensuring that expenditure is planned in accordance with the Commissions budget requirements and procurement principles.
• Be proactive in professional development by maintaining an active interest in relevant policy developments and committing to regular continuing professional development.
• Support the professional development of colleagues by providing constructive feedback where appropriate.
• Lead by example a staff culture that promotes empowerment, accountability and wellbeing and brings our organisational values to life.
• Seek and share opportunities to be creative and realise continuous improvement in our delivery and impact.