Description Are you an enthusiastic and motivated leader ready to play a key role in shaping the future of Scotland’s bus services by joining the Bus Policy Unit within Transport Scotland? As part of the Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel Directorate, you will be at the forefront of policy development and implementation, with a significant impact on the country’s public transport landscape. In this challenging and rapidly developing policy area, you will lead the Bus Futures Programme, which aims to improve the governance, regulatory, and funding environment for bus services. Your main objective will be to drive strategic initiatives that contribute to the Scottish Government’s ambitious climate change, economic, and poverty reduction goals. Working closely with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders - including national and local government, the bus industry, and community partners - you will oversee the delivery of policies designed to enhance bus services, increase accessibility, and support the wider transport strategy for a sustainable future. You will be familiar with bus policy and will work with a high degree of autonomy in a role while leading the unit which comprises three team leaders, six senior policy officers, and four policy officers. Responsibilities Responsibilities Leading the Unit in planning, developing and delivering key pieces of complex policy work through the Bus Futures Programme which is part of the Vision for the Future of Public Transport, working with stakeholders to develop delivery options to improve bus services and develop business case for delivery plan, with focus on enhanced governance and targeting funding towards agreed outcomes. Setting the overall direction for bus provision in Scotland and contributing to emerging and cross-cutting issues including on climate change and public transport policy. Developing regulatory policy for bus including implementation and support for the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 powers for local authorities, consideration of any new legislative requirements to support bus sector improvement fostering links with the Department for Transport and other devolved administrations as well as develop options for further governance of the bus sector in Scotland including review of functions of the Office of the Traffic Commissioner. Reviewing existing funding support for bus including current subsidy and passenger concessions to develop a package of funding support to enable improvement in bus services for passengers, provide consistency over service provision fares and support better integration of public transport. Shaping an enhanced role for demand responsive transport and community transport particularly to address transport poverty issues in more rural and remote areas. Developing response to tackling antisocial behaviour on the bus network working with operators and wider community stakeholders. As part of the Directorate senior management team, working collaboratively with the Deputy Director and other Unit heads on Directorate business planning, budgets, resourcing and performance issues. Providing leadership and effective line management to the unit, ensuring staff are supported to meet their objectives and that their wellbeing is supported. Qualifications Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Working with Ministers - Practitioner Level. Policy Delivery and Systems - Practitioner Level. You can find out more about the skills required here. Behaviours: Leadership – Level 4. Communicating and Influencing – Level 4. Working Together – Level 4. Delivering at Pace – Level 4. You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here. How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17 February 2025, however this may be subject to change. About Us Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland and is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers, with a budget of around £3.5 billion per year. Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment. The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Equality Statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information For further information on the role please contact Bettina Sizeland via bettina.sizelandtransport.gov.scot Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Apply before: 29 January 2025 (23:59)