Strategy and Planning Manager

The Scottish Government (SG) Estate Strategy and Planning unit in the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate is responsible for the strategic management of the SG core estate. The estate comprises a variety of building types located across approximately 65 sites on the mainland and islands. As the Strategic Property Manager you will be responsible for developing and implementing property and estate strategies that support organisational objectives, maximise asset performance and support the delivery of SG’s changing needs. A major period of change is anticipated over the coming years in the SG core estate as we manage workplace expectations in line with our Hybrid policy, while taking all opportunities to reduce our footprint and deliver our Carbon Action Plan. The Strategic Estates Portfolio Manager will play a critical role in delivering the SG Estate forward plan ensuring the organisation's property assets support long-term strategic objectives, delivers value for money, and creates sustainable, efficient, and future-ready spaces.

Forming part of SPPD in the DG Corporate family, Property and Construction Division (PCD) transforms, innovates and enhances construction procurement and property to improve the stewardship of the public sector estate. The work of the division is varied, fast-paced and high profile. We work collaboratively in a national context with Ministers and senior stakeholders, policy colleagues, industry, public bodies, professional bodies and UKG providing specialist authoritative guidance, advice and service delivery on property and construction procurement.

This role in the PCD Estates Strategy and Planning team combines strategic property leadership with programme management expertise driving asset optimisation and estate rationalisation, while ensuring compliance with the long -term vision for the SG estate and in alignment with the Climate Action Plan.

This is a key role to ensure that the strategic planning for the Scottish Government estate aligns with changing expectation in how we use our buildings but also to drive efficiencies and align with Public Service Reform. Strong programme management and strategic asset management skills will play a critical part in informing and driving an ambitious programme to share, merge and reduce the buildings on our estate. Close working with senior leadership across all DG families, operational teams, finance colleagues, and external stakeholders to delivery the SG Estates forward plan and supporting information will be essential.

Key Responsibilities

The SG Core estate is part of a major programme under Public Services Reform and there is an ambitious programme to co-location with public bodies and reduce surplus estate.

We are seeking a Strategic Asset Manager who will work closely with senior leadership, operational teams, finance colleagues, and external stakeholders to ensure property assets deliver value for money, support service delivery, and contribute to long-term organisational success. You will work closely with other key leads to deliver recommendations from the SG Core Estate Forward Plan.

Key responsibilities will include the following:

Property Strategy and Planning

• Undertake strategic reviews of buildings in the property portfolio to ensure assets are aligned with current and future business needs.
• Develop long-term accommodation, investment, and asset management plans utilising key tools and considering wider strategies and programmes.
• Identify and develop business cases for opportunities for estate optimisation, rationalisation and sharing, presenting these at relevant boards and considering funding requirements.

Asset Management

• Manage and monitor the performance of the property portfolio using appropriate asset management principles, improve data quality and use of digital tools.
• Hold overall responsibility for the SG Estate Asset Plan, provide regular reports and analysis of information

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders working closely with key user leads with specific property requirements such as DG Net Zero.
• Influence and support decision-making through the presentation of clear property analysis and recommendations.
• Ensure property strategies reflect wider changing programmes, policies and strategic considerations across the government.

Programme Management and Change Delivery

• Lead the early stages of development and delivery of estate optimisation projects, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and working closely with key delivery teams and stakeholders.
• Develop programme governance arrangements, ensuring effective oversight, risk management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare and present programme updates, business cases, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership teams and governance boards.

Qualifications

• Applications are welcomed from candidates with property qualifications such as RICS, CIOB, RIBA etc, or with equivalent experience.
• Candidates should have a professional level qualification, such as APM’s PMQ, PMI’s PMP and Axelos’ Prince 2 (or equivalent specialist qualification for example through Property & Construction/Built Environment profession).