Business Manager chez Cultural Assets

Starting salary: £40,158
Contract type: Fixed term contract until 04 December 2026
Grade: 4
Location: Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH
Working Hours: Monday - Friday, 35 hours per week
Interviews: To be held in person at Longmore House on Week Commencing 06 October 2025

This role is part of an outer office function working closely with the Director and other senior leaders. The External Relations and Partnerships Directorate has a diverse remit, so robust business support is needed to support the Director with reporting and strategic planning. By creating systems and engaging with all the teams, this role will enhance the smooth running in the Directorate and balance reactive and proactive tasks.

For more information about the post and information about the team, please access the full job description for this post. Please note that if you don't have Office 365 installed on your device, this can be opened using your browser.

Benefits of joining us at Historic Environment Scotland

• Enrolment onto a Civil Service Pension scheme – 28% employer contribution
• 25 days annual leave, pro-rata (increasing to 30 days after 3 years) + 11.5 public holidays
• Reimbursement for relevant professional subscriptions
• Support for further education and personal development
• Study leave for work related courses
• Flexible working hours (where appropriate)
• Free entry to all of our properties (with up to three guests)
• Free entry to English Heritage, Manx and Cadw properties

Key Responsibilities of this role

• You will be working with the Director and the Executive Assistant to strategically manage the Director’s time, ensuring they have all the information necessary to be productive and engaged and ensuring that the office runs efficiently and effectively, and in accordance with the Director’s priorities and their calendar. You will act as the main point of contact for queries about the directorate.
• You will ensure the Director’s involvement in project or decision-making processes takes place at key times, where their input and authority are most needed.
• You will co-ordinate monthly contributions for newsletters and publications.
• Working with the Director to set strategic priorities, helping identify areas for focus.  Leading the directorate’s strategic planning process, engaging and aligning with the corporate planning process.
• Analyse existing business processes and propose the creation of new systems and processes to streamline operations.
• On behalf of the Directorate, you will co-ordinate, collate, draft and complete high-level reports, corporate responses and briefings for the Chair, HES Board, Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Team, your Director and Scottish Government Sponsor as required ensuring deadlines are met.
• You will work with relevant stakeholders to compile and monitor Directorate Risk Register including supporting risk identification, management and monitoring as well as supporting the directorate operational plans. 
• Working with relevant stakeholders, you will manage and monitor all workforce planning requests, general recruitment issues and tracking staff movements.
• In collaboration with other senior colleagues within the directorate, you will work to ensure consistent and appropriate implementation of organisational policies and procedures. 
• You will lead on Directorate financial management including budget allocation and forecasting.
• You will ensure directorate compliance in terms of governance - Certificates of Assurance, Audit requests, respond to Directorate FOI requests - as well as colleague health, safety and wellbeing.
• You will lead activity on Directorate internal communications including intranet page development.
• You will be responsible for line managing the Executive Assistant for External Relations & Partnerships, the Executive Assistant for the Chief Executive’s Office, and Business Support Assistant, ensuring staff have the necessary support, skills and training to carry out work efficiently and deliver a high-quality standard of work.
• You will facilitate and support Directorate meetings as appropriate, including Heads of Service, Directorate level, Sections and Team meetings ensuring appropriate paperwork is issued and lead on any actions or follow up activity. 
• You will lead on various directorate or cross organisational projects as requested by the Director.
• You will work with Head of Development and pillar teams to roll out the Directorate People Plan.
• You will keep Directorate colleagues informed on team or organisational changes (e.g. structure/ changes/ updates/new procedures).
• You will co-ordinate all complaints received by the Directorate and record and action as necessary.
• You will organise Directorate staff events. 
• You will maintain membership of the Business Manager Network and represent the interests of the Directorate at meetings. You will lead work for the Directorate commissioned through this network, collate information, and report any updates at network meetings.

Key requirements of the role:

In order for you to be successful in this post, we will be looking for you to submit a cover letter which addresses how you can meet each of the essential and desirable criteria (in up to 1,200 words), using examples of where you have demonstrated these criteria previously. Please ensure that you provide real life examples for each of the criteria to be considered for this post. You can use examples of how you have met this criteria from your work life, home life, education or volunteer experience. Please read our CV and Cover Letter Guidance first before completing, as you will only be eligible for selection if you use examples of how you meet the essential and desirable criteria.

Essential:

•  Demonstrated ability to prioritise competing demands and manage complex workloads effectively, with strong organisational and strategic planning skills.
• Proven track record in creating and implementing processes that enhance working practices and reporting, alongside well-developed project management skills from concept to execution.
• Self-motivated and able to show initiative, exercise sound judgement, and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Able to positively influence, negotiate, advise and guide colleagues at all levels, demonstrating empathy and diplomacy, with excellent communication embedded throughout.
• Experienced in managing staff and fostering productive working relationships, with high self-awareness and perceptiveness toward key dynamics.
• Skilled in assimilating and analysing complex information from varied sources, distilling it into clear, actionable insights for different audiences, and bringing experience in financial oversight and budgetary management to support strategic decision-making.

Find out more about desirable skills and experience in our full job description.

We are dedicated to building a workforce which is reflective of diversity within Scotland. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, gender or gender identity, religious beliefs, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, or neurodiversity. In support of our Gaelic Language Plan, we welcome applications from Gaelic speakers.

We want every candidate to have the best chance to succeed during the recruitment process. If you require your application in an alternative format, please reach out to us via email at [email protected] or call our Head Office at 0131 668 8600 and speak to a member of our People Team.

Please note that, at this time, we are unfortunately unable to provide sponsorship as part of the recruitment process, therefore you must have current right to work in the UK to be considered for a post.

To submit your application online, please read our ‘How to Apply’ followed by ‘Apply Now’ button to begin your application.