Chief Operating Officer – Evidence & Water Resilience, Motherwell

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, playing a critical role in addressing the climate and nature crises. Guided by a clear statutory purpose, “to protect and improve the environment in ways that support health, wellbeing and sustainable economic growth”, SEPA is at the forefront of delivering a stronger, fairer and more resilient Scotland.

Working collaboratively with communities, businesses, and government, SEPA harnesses science, data and innovation to inform decision-making and drive environmental improvement. Its strategic priorities (Net Zero, Climate Resilience, Water Environment, Resource Efficiency, Environmental Performance and organisational transformation) shape the agency’s ambition and impact.

The Chief Operating Officer – Evidence & Water Resilience is a key member of SEPA’s Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), responsible for leading a critical portfolio at the heart of evidence-led environmental protection and policy.

This role provides strategic leadership across a diverse and highly specialist set of functions, including environmental monitoring, scientific services, research, hydrology and flooding, ecology, and innovation.

You will shape and deliver SEPA’s approach to data, evidence and insight, ensuring that high-quality science and intelligence underpin regulatory decisions, influence policy, and enable Scotland’s transition to a net zero and climate-resilient future.

Operating at executive level, you will contribute corporately to the overall leadership and transformation of SEPA, driving organisational performance and acting as a visible ambassador for the agency.

For more information, please click on this link: apply, please send your CV to Kirsten Hendry, Director at FWB, at by 12:00 on Monday 8 June.

For an initial confidential discussion, contact 0131 539 7087.