The Scottish Government’s Quest for a Chief Technology Officer

The Scottish Government is currently seeking a new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) who will provide the necessary expertise to drive digital transformation across citizen services. This pivotal role will involve establishing the vision and direction for the government’s technology strategy and leading a team of software engineers.

Reporting to the Digital Director, Geoff Huggins, the CTO will play a crucial role in shaping the development and delivery of government services. This includes aligning the technology strategy with the organization’s transformation strategy, as well as broader ambitions to operate within a digital business model.

The successful candidate, who will begin with a salary of £91,656, will be responsible for overseeing a team of software engineering professionals. The CTO will need to foster greater alignment, principles, and collaboration within the Scottish Government and wider public sector.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of building effective software engineering functions within large enterprise environments. They should also possess the ability to identify and implement technologies and operating models that will deliver organizational outcomes.

Four key leadership criteria have been outlined for the position, including understanding, managing, and developing self; developing others; leading others; and leading collectively. As a technology leader, the CTO will need to demonstrate experience in building technical functions across organizational boundaries and equipping teams with the necessary skills and capabilities to meet future needs.

Applications for the CTO position, based in either Glasgow or Edinburgh, will remain open until 11.55pm on 4 March. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to play a pivotal role in driving digital transformation within the Scottish Government.