Priority Projects Lead

The Scottish Government has serious ambitious to transform Scotland’s economy.

The Directorate for Jobs and Wellbeing Economy is here to coordinate and deliver the Scottish Government's economic strategy, lead strategic interventions across government on the economy and the labour market, and drive the Fair Work agenda.

The Economic Growth Unit is part of the Economic Growth, Delivery and Finance Division within the Directorate but works across the DG and wider portfolio.

The unit provides capacity to address policy questions and ministerial priorities which cut across the DG Economy portfolio and wider Scottish Government.

It contributes to setting the Scottish Government’s overall economic strategy, playing a key role in shaping and steering the Economic strategy, including PfG Economy chapters.

It is a flexible, responsive unit capable of quickly tackling emerging questions and issues across the broad spectrum of economic policy.

The priority projects team is a dynamic and impactful part of DGE, deploying skilled people to lead high-priority, complex projects across DGE and beyond to support delivery of the economic growth mission.

Projects typically last around 3 months and provide team members with a combination of high-profile policy development experience and exposure to a diverse range of economic issues.

The team comprises of 2 C1 posts (including this role), 2 B3, 1FS/GDP, and 1 B2.

This is a temporary position of up to 10 months to cover maternity leave.

The role sits within the Economic Growth Unit’s priority projects team and is focused on delivering high-profile, complex projects that support the Scottish Government’s economic growth mission.

The post-holder will work across DGE and wider SG, engaging Ministers, senior officials, policy teams, analysts, delivery partners and external stakeholders to understand issues quickly, shape evidence-based solutions and drive progress.

The post holder will lead and coordinate priority projects, agree project plans and remits, provide clear advice and progress updates, manage risks, and report on outcomes.

The role also involves building collaborative relationships, supporting wider economic strategy and delivery, helping maintain the future project pipeline, and managing B-band staff within fast-moving project teams.

It requires strong policy judgement, communication, project delivery, stakeholder engagement and leadership skills, with economic policy experience desirable but not essential.