B3 Portfolio Planning Lead

Are you interested in having a positive effect on the lives of Scottish citizens whilst dealing with some high profile but rewarding challenges? Social Security Scotland’s Portfolio Office are looking for a Portfolio Planning Lead to support with the development and ongoing enhancement of the function. This role will play a crucial part in defining and maintaining the portfolio level planning, and capacity planning, across the overall transformation portfolio within the agency.

As Portfolio Planning Lead, you will support the development of a relatively new Portfolio Office function within Social Security Scotland, in accordance with Management of Portfolios (MoP) and Portfolio, Programme & Project Offices (P3O) principles.

Working directly to, and supported by, the Portfolio Planning Manager, the Portfolio Planning Lead will collaborate proactively within the Portfolio Office team to lead on demand and capacity planning, whilst supporting other P3O functions including planning, risk, change control, measurable improvements (benefits) management, and reporting. Building trusted and credible relationships with critical stakeholders across Social Security Scotland is a key part of this role, as well as ensuring the implementation of best practice and enabling consistency across the portfolio.

This role requires analytical expertise and a high-level of proficiency in working with the standard Microsoft 365 suite (with a focus on Excel and SharePoint), to provide high quality portfolio support, ensuring effective assistance in resource planning and other portfolio management activities. This will promote positive outcomes, and through proactive communication, facilitate interaction between complimentary projects and teams across the division.

Ideally, you will have experience working within a Portfolio, Programme, or Project Management Office (PMO), and either hold or be working towards a technical qualification such as Management of Portfolios (MoP), Portfolio, Programme & Project Offices (P3O), or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Resource Management: Maintain role/resource profiles and capacity plans to ensure alignment with the delivery portfolio.
• Planning & Scheduling: Develop and continually improve the Portfolio Planning function and capability within the Agency.
• Reporting: Create accurate and timely reports of collated portfolio updates for senior audiences within Social Security Scotland and across the wider Scottish Government.
• Management Control: Ensure the Portfolio Office can employ management by exception, tracking delivery against plan and escalating as required.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build relationships with all operational areas, delivery, and PMO colleagues, including Social Security Scotland Digital Portfolio Management team, Social Security Programme PMO, and Social Security Programme Risk Team to ensure an integrated plan and clearly articulated risks and issues.
• Deputising for the Portfolio Planning Manager and other colleagues when required.

Success Profiles 
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience:

• Experience of leading on the design, rollout, or operation of project resource management, or workforce planning, within a medium-sized function (across >10 projects or >50 FTE).
• Experience working within a project, programme, or portfolio management environment.
• Experience of leveraging technology to gather then communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.
   

Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving - Level 3
• Leadership - Level 3
   

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here. 

Technical skills:

You will demonstrate the following skills within the Project delivery capability framework - Government Project Delivery.

• Stakeholder Engagement – Working 
• Digital and Data – Practitioner 
   

How to Apply 
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.   

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the first experience criteria.

Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

Candidates who are successful at the sift stage will be invited to attend an interview and assessment, which will comprise a short presentation. These will further assess the experience, behaviours and technical skills outlined in the job advert. Full details of the interview and assessment will be provided with the invitation.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment. 

Expected Timeline (subject to change) 
Sift – w/c 27th July 2026.
Interview – w/c 17th August 2026.
Location – In person in either Dundee or Glasgow.

Reserve List  
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.  

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 and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee.  If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Equality Statement  
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.    

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.  

Further Information
This role is only available to existing permanent civil servants who have successfully completed their probation period within Social Security Scotland, or the broader Scottish Government.  

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.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.  

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via [email protected]  

Apply before 23:55 on Monday 27th July 2026

Contact Name  - Resourcing Team
Contact e-Mail - [email protected]