Job Title: Head of Programmes
Location: Space Scotland Offices (Edinburgh), Hybrid
Contract Type: Full-time
Salary: £55,000
Reporting to: CEO, Space Scotland
About Space Scotland
Space Scotland is the national coordinating body for the Scottish space industry, promoting the growth and development of the Scottish space sector. We work to connect key stakeholders, promote sector priorities, and facilitate international and cross-disciplinary collaboration to enhance Scotland’s role in the global space ecosystem. Space Scotland is a Not For Profit company funded by grants and income from contracts.
Role Overview
The Head of Programmes is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of Space Scotland’s programmes, partnerships and organisational priorities.
Reporting to the CEO, as part of a small executive delivery team, the postholder will coordinate programme and project activity across the organisation, monitor performance and progress, develop operational systems and processes, and support the effective management of organisational resources. The role will play a key part in ensuring that programmes, partnerships and initiatives are delivered efficiently, effectively and in accordance with agreed objectives.
The postholder will also contribute to the development of strategic partnerships, funding opportunities and cross sector engagement activities, while maintaining productive relationships with stakeholders across industry, academia, government and the wider space ecosystem.
As a senior member of the team, the Head of Programmes will provide additional organisational capacity, support the continued development of Space Scotland as a national coordinating body, and help translate strategic priorities into effective delivery and measurable outcomes.
Line Management Responsibility: Day-to-day management of a small team comprising the Upstream and Downstream Leads, together with oversight of any additional project managers brought into the organisation.
Programme Delivery and Portfolio Management
- To coordinate the delivery of Space Scotland’s programme portfolio, ensuring activities are delivered effectively, on time and in accordance with agreed budgets, objectives, resources and funding requirements.
- To coordinate the planning, monitoring and tracking of programme and project activity across the organisation.
- To identify delivery risks, dependencies and capacity constraints, and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
- To coordinate relationships with delivery partners, subcontractors and programme stakeholders, ensuring commitments are fulfilled.
- To ensure actions arising from programmes, projects, Working Groups and stakeholder engagements are tracked, coordinated and progressed appropriately.
Organisational Performance and Continuous Improvement
- To provide timely reporting and performance information to support the CEO in reporting to the Board, funders and other stakeholders. To establish and maintain systems for monitoring organisational performance against agreed objectives, plans and performance indicators.
- To support the effective day-to-day operations of Space Scotland’s programmes and ensure the organisation has the systems, processes and resources required to deliver its objectives.
- To identify opportunities to improve organisational effectiveness, efficiency and impact.
- To develop and implement operational processes, systems and procedures that support effective delivery and organisational growth.
Partnerships and Sector Development
- To establish and maintain productive relationships in coordination with the CEO with industry, academia, government and other stakeholders relevant to Space Scotland’s activities.
- To support an agreed development and progression of partnerships, collaborative initiatives and funding opportunities aligned with organisational priorities.
- To coordinate stakeholder engagement activities and ensure effective follow-up arising from meetings, events and collaborative initiatives.
- To maintain oversight of partnership pipelines, actions and commitments, ensuring opportunities are progressed effectively.
- To contribute to activities that support the growth and development of Scotland’s space sector.
Defence and Security Engagement
- To develop and maintain relationships with defence, security and dual-use stakeholders relevant to Scotland’s space sector.
- To identify opportunities for the industry sector and offer collaboration, capability development and programme support arising from defence and security engagement.
- To coordinate activities arising from defence, security and dual-use engagement and ensure identified opportunities are progressed effectively.
- To maintain awareness of relevant defence, security and government priorities and communicate emerging opportunities to the CEO and wider team.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Demonstrable experience managing complex programmes, portfolios or projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- A thorough knowledge of the Scottish, and wider UK, space sectors
- Proven experience coordinating delivery across organisations, partnerships or collaborative initiatives.
- A track record of working with senior stakeholders from industry, academia, government or the public sector.
- Strong organisational and programme management skills.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-management skills.
- Ability to identify issues, assess options and implement practical solutions.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a small team.
Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Wide experience working with government-funded programmes or publicly funded organisations.
- Experience supporting funding applications and a strong grasp of all aspects of the bid management process.
- Experience managing subcontractors, delivery partners or external suppliers.
- Understanding of Scotland’s innovation, research and economic development landscape.
- Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment approaches.
- Experience working within membership organisations, cluster organisations, trade associations or ecosystem-building initiatives.
Personal Attributes
- Highly organised and proactive.
- Collaborative and relationship focused.
- Able to exercise sound judgement and discretion.
- Comfortable operating in situations of ambiguity and change.
- Committed to continuous improvement and high standards of delivery.
- Able to build credibility and trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
Additional Information
As Space Scotland continues to develop, the postholder will be expected to respond flexibly to emerging opportunities, challenges and priorities, undertaking additional responsibilities consistent with the scope and purpose of the role.
Benefits
Space Scotland offers a range of options in a benefits package commensurate with this role and working for a Not for Profit company.
Travel
This role is hybrid and will require occasional travel within Scotland and the rest of the UK to attend meetings, events, and stakeholder engagements.
Right to Work
Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of application.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Monday the 29th of June at 19:00.
Interview Process
Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing the 6th of July.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Space Scotland is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the sector and communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Further Information
For more information about this opportunity, please contact admin@spacescotland.org