Scottish Land Commission – Head of Practice and Advice
The Scottish Land Commission is seeking to appoint a Head of Practice and Advice.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Scottish Land Commission team, providing a pivotal leadership role with responsibility for shaping, leading and delivering the Commission’s advice and casework function to support responsible land ownership in Scotland.
The Scottish Land Commission provides leadership and advice on reforming the ownership and use of land in Scotland. They advise the Scottish Government, Parliament and others on policy, legislation, and practical change that supports a fairer, greener, and more inclusive Scotland.
Their work focuses on three key outcomes:
- People – enabling everyone in Scotland to participate in decisions about land.
- Power – diversifying control and governance in land ownership and management.
- Prosperity – using the value and benefits of land to create shared economic, social, and environmental outcomes.
This is a small but high-profile public body operating in a complex policy environment. Their work attracts significant interest from communities, the media, landowners, and decision-makers. Strong, strategic communications are central to their success.
As Head of Practice and Advice, you will lead the Commission’s advice and casework function and help shape how responsible land ownership is understood and applied in practice. You will manage a specialist team that includes the Land Rights and Responsibilities Manager, Good Practice Advisers and the Community Benefits from Nature Adviser, supporting their work with landowners, managers and communities. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working as part of the senior management team, you will also help the organisation prepare for new and expanding responsibilities.
Key duties
- Lead and deliver the Commission’s programme of advice and casework, embedding responsible land ownership and the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement in practice.
- Provide strategic leadership of the Commission’s approach to guidance, good practice and emerging statutory responsibilities, including support for the Land and Communities Commissioner role.
- Oversee complex and sensitive engagement with landowners, managers, communities and stakeholders, ensuring the Commission is a trusted and credible source of advice.
- Lead, manage and develop a high-performing team, setting clear priorities and driving delivery against the Commission’s strategic and business plans.
- Contribute as a member of the senior management team to organisational leadership, governance, performance, risk management and resource planning.
- Represent the Commission at senior level, building partnerships and influencing across government, Parliament and the wider stakeholder landscape
The person
They are looking for a confident and experienced leader with a relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, and a strong understanding of the land reform policy environment. You will have a proven ability to lead programmes of advice and guidance, influence practice and deliver results, alongside excellent interpersonal skills to manage sensitive relationships and navigate differing perspectives. You will be an effective communicator, able to present complex issues clearly to a range of audiences, and bring strong leadership and people management experience, including developing teams and contributing to wider organisational leadership, planning and resource management. Experience in land, rural or community development sectors, regulatory environments, and established cross-sector networks would be advantageous, alongside a commitment to continuous professional development.
Applications are invited by application form which can be found at work with us along with a detailed job description, privacy statement and equality statement. Completed applications should be submitted to HR@landcommission.gov.scot prior to the closing date. Please note that CVs will not be accepted as a form of application.
Interviews will be held in-person on Tuesday 4 August at the Inverness office (An Lochran Building, Inverness Campus, Inverness IV2 5NA).
Salary: £60,690 – £74,291
Status: Permanent. The standard working week is a 5-day week, Monday to Friday, of 35 hours. Flexible working is available and both part-time and full-time applications are welcomed.
Location: Inverness, with regular attendance required in the office and hybrid working available
Closing date: 5pm on Thursday 23 July 2026
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