The Scottish Government has launched recruitment for its next permanent secretary.
A salary of £170-185,000 is on offer for the position, which is the most senior civil service role in Scotland.
The successful candidate will succeed JP Marks, who will become HMRC’s next perm sec and chief executive when its current boss, Jim Harra, departs in April.
The Scottish Government perm sec is the principal policy adviser to the first minister and secretary to the Scottish Cabinet, leading the Scottish Government as it exercises its full range of devolved powers and duties, and allocating a budget of approximately £64bn in 2024-25.
They lead more than 9,000 staff within the core Scottish Government and have oversight of around 130 agencies, providing strategic direction to the Scottish Government Civil Service. They are accountable to the first minister and his Cabinet, but also the Scottish Parliament for the propriety and regularity of Scottish Government finance and for the economic, efficient and effective use of resources.
The job advert for the role states the perm sec must be able to “set a culture of collaborative leadership and teamwork across Scottish services and sectors so that the Scottish Government’s programme is delivered with energy, efficiency, creativity, and rigour”.
They will need "exceptional leadership skills", and a "thorough understanding of the policy issues facing Scotland and of the constitutional and political context, combined with judgement, political awareness and a commitment to the delivery of reform and public policy for the country", it adds.
In an introduction to the role, UK government cabinet secretary Sir Chris Wormald said: “We are looking for a leader who can build trusted relationships with ministers and partners. If you have successfully led change in a complex environment, have proven strategic and financial abilities, and believe you would be a highly effective operator in this political environment, then we very much hope you will consider this role.”
First minister John Swinney said the perm sec will need to "create a culture of excellence throughout Scottish Government that supports a cohesive policy package and serves government priorities" and to "continue to provide advice and assurance on fiscal sustainability in the face of growing pressures".
"They will be an inspirational leader across the civil service and wider public sector, optimising performance and productivity," he added. "To do this the permanent secretary must carry out their role with the highest degree of dedication to the values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality, role-modelling these behaviours across the organisation, they will have excellent levels of personal resilience."
Applications can be made until 23:55 on Sunday 12 January 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a panel including Sir Chris Wormald, Northern Ireland Office perm sec Julie Harrison, and Ronnie Hinds, interim chair for the Water Industry Commission for Scotland.