Jobs

Scottish Canals are the custodians of the nation’s canal network and surrounding estates. Our vision is to care for and invest in the canal network to generate lasting benefit for people and communities; celebrating their industrial heritage, ensuring they offer quality green and blue spaces for people and communities and contribute to Scotland’s resilience in tackling climate change.

Our success is rooted in valuing the contributions of our entire team – we care, we create, and we collaborate to continue to deliver a whole range of activities from boating, paddling, walking and wheeling to living and playing and improving what the canals have to offer to our visitors and communities. We also work with partners and stakeholders to contribute to a wealthier, fairer, greener and more resilient Scotland.

As an employer we offer a truly unique opportunity to be part of our team, help us realise our vision and contribute to looking after our heritage and ensuring our canals flourish now and in the future.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Strategic Planning Manager to join our Engineering Team. You will be involved in Asset Inspection and Monitoring, Project Prioritisation and works planning, Develop asset data and information as a key function within business planning and risk management.

Based within the Engineering Team you will report to the Head of Engineering, making clear recommendations for the determination and prioritisation of works to deliver £3.8m Capital and revenue expenditure on projects and ~£0.7m of revenue works associated with defects.

The role is offered on a permanent basis and with an incremental starting salary at £48,500 (Band G). Working hours 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Scottish Canals offer a generous annual leave entitlement of 28 days, plus 10 public holidays, along with enhanced sick pay, discounted shopping vouchers, and a contributory pension scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.

Primary Responsibilities:

• develop and management of the Asset Risk Register and Engineering/M&E Works Programme to provide an up-to-date platform to support SC asset risk management and business planning;
• Identify and escalate arising risks associated with assets, through management of data and work programmes;
• Support the management of the Asset Inspection Team
• Clear articulation and implementation of the SC Asset Management Strategy and Plan across Operational Delivery teams.
• Maintain senior management commitment to, and active championing of, the portfolio management / strategic planning process to ensure collaboration in pursuit of shared goals.
• Provide impartial and credible analysis and decision-making support to the Project Board, along with support to projects and programmes.
• Cross-departmental project liaison to achieve efficiencies.
• Make informed recommendations for the prioritisation and costing for business planning and strategy development.
• Suggests changes or improvements to current business plans, policies, and procedures to optimise returns.
• Assist in the development of business plans that support and introduce solutions for strategic issues that affect the company.
• Review outputs from asset inspections and provide recommendations/proposals for the (re)prioritisation of work required to direct work plans.
• Liaise with all Scottish Canals teams to ensure that all work elements are suitably programmed within the delivery programmes.
• Collate and analyse outputs from project delivery teams to feedback into asset system, re-prioritise works and assets.
• Collate and analyse outputs from maintenance delivery teams to feedback in to asset management system, re-prioritise works and assets.
• Confirm asset data and maintenance requirements of new assets are entered into the asset management system (AMX) to ensure all assets are accounted for in the development of work programmes.
• Support technical queries internally and externally, providing advice at all stages of planned projects.
• Respond as appropriate by reference to relevant information sources and offer recommendations that achieve efficiency and are cost effective.
• Provide input into national agreements, frameworks and strategies.
• Liaise with the Head of Engineering to ensure that there is sufficient budget and resource provided through the business planning process
• Provide works planning information to the Operational Delivery Team to ensure that Planned Preventative Maintenance and planned works are undertaken timeously.
• Develop the capacity of AMX to assign risk to an asset, create and manage projects and dashboard reporting capabilities.
• Provide recommendations on improvements to asset data quality within AMX.
• Assist in the development of a strategy for managing high risk assets.
• Incorporate new strategies into planning and asset portfolio management.
• Line Management.
Skills and Experience:
• Track record of managing asset data and ability to demonstrate strategic level and innovative thinking.
• Good judgement skills for planning and achieving strategic goals.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Use professional knowledge and experience to provide definitive recommendations to Executive, Board and other colleagues on appropriate approach.
• Interpret statutory requirements and adapt business processes to take account of these.
• High standard of verbal and written communication and proven ability to present technical data to non-technical audiences.
• Proficient in the use of a personal computer and IT programming and development skills for business applications software

Desirable Skills and experience:
• Able to use appropriate functions within AMX proficiently.
• Valid driving licence
• Analyse information to make technical judgements and recommendations to ensure the risks attached to SC assets are managed and defined standards are met.
• Use professional knowledge and experience to provide definitive recommendations to Executive, Board and other colleagues on appropriate approach, coaching the team on more complex cases.
• Interpret statutory requirements and adapt business processes to take account of these.

Personal qualities and abilities required:
• Consult, influence and support teams outside of the Operational function through the provision of strategic planning and technical expertise.
• Co-operate with, influence and inform Executive and Board.

Qualifications and knowledge required:
• Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Technician/Associate level (or equivalent) membership of appropriate professional body.
• Demonstrable experience as a strategic planner or portfolio manager
• General heritage and environmental awareness.
• Knowledge of heritage protection regime.
• Competent use of a personal computer and business applications software and specialist software. Experience of GIS or mapping systems.
• Liaise closely with professional bodies in area of specialism to share best practice and new developments and ensure SC is seen as an influential organisation.
• Valid driving licence appropriate for vehicle to be driven.

Application Deadline: Wednesday 15/11/2023