Job title: 2003-301 Chief Executive | Grade: SCS Band 2 | Vacancy type: Permanent| Hours: 35 | Salary £115,000 to £125,553 per annum |Location: Anywhere in Scotland in proximity to a NatureScot office; regular travel to NatureScot locations expected. Hybrid working is available| Closing date: Midnight, 25 May 2025 | Interview date: 24 June 2025

Job Purpose Summary

NatureScot is seeking an exceptional leader to guide Scotland’s leading nature conservation agency into its next phase of development and delivery. 

As we face the growing challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, we are looking for a visionary Chief Executive to champion our mission, enhance our impact and lead our work in protecting and restoring Scotland’s unique natural heritage. 

For decades, NatureScot has been at the heart of Scotland’s conservation efforts, working with communities, businesses and government to safeguard our landscapes, wildlife and biodiversity. With a dedicated team across the country, we play a leading role in shaping policies, implementing strategies, advising government ministers and promoting Scotland’s natural assets, ensuring they are preserved for generations to come. 

The Role: 

As Chief Executive, you will provide strong, visible leadership, ensuring that NatureScot remains at the forefront of Scotland’s nature conservation efforts. 

You will be responsible for driving the organisation’s strategic vision, ensuring we meet our goals of nature conservation, sustainability and societal impact.

Reporting to the Board, you will lead a talented and diverse team across Scotland, ensuring operational excellence, financial sustainability and continued growth. 

You will be the public face of NatureScot, advocating for Scotland’s natural environment and building relationships with key stakeholders across government, the private sector, and local communities. Your leadership will be pivotal in driving the delivery of our strategy and ensuring the challenges facing nature conservation are met with innovative and effective solutions. 

We are seeking a Chief Executive with the following attributes: 

  • A visionary leader with the experience and ability to drive change within a similarly sized organisation, ideally within a government agency or conservation-focused sector. 
  • A skilled problem-solver, able to manage multiple complex issues and develop practical solutions while ensuring alignment with our core mission. 
  • An outstanding communicator and networker, with the ability to represent NatureScot at the highest levels and build strong, productive relationships with key decision-makers across diverse sectors.
  • Public-facing, media-savvy and confident in dealing with stakeholders, ranging from government ministers to local farmers, communities and environmental groups. 
  • A strong strategic and financial mindset, with a deep understanding of managing budgets and leading complex organisations through change and growth. 
  • A commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring NatureScot remains a welcoming, accessible and collaborative organisation for all. 
  • A passionate advocate for nature, with a clear understanding of the importance of Scotland’s environment to both the economy and the future wellbeing of its people. 

Prerequisites 

  • To undertake a Disclosure Scotland application. 
  • Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK and resident in Scotland for the duration of the job contract. 
  • Applicants must be able to travel across Scotland to attend meetings and site visits as required – this may involve occasional overnight stays away from home. 

Gaelic language 

  • Although Gaelic language is not a prerequisite it is a desirable skill in support of our commitment to our Gaelic Language Plan. 

NatureScot’s Net Zero commitment 

Whether working at home or in an office, or travelling to meetings and site visits, as a NatureScot you will contribute to our Net Zero plan, for example through positive carbon travel choices. 

Applications

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a covering letter (no longer than two pages), outlining your relevant skills and experience to ScotlandExecutive@LHH.com, by midnight on Sunday 25 May. 

For further information and how to apply

https://www.nature.scot/chief-executive-officer 

For a confidential, informal discussion about the role please contact LHH directly at +44 (0)141 220 6460 or email ScotlandExecutive@LHH.com

Nature is vital to us all, so it's important that NatureScot represents the people of Scotland. The more diverse our workforce is, the more effectively we can connect everyone with nature. We encourage applications from candidates of all ages and genders, people from ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community.