Head of Authorisations

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s principal environmental regulator, playing a leading role in addressing the climate and nature crises. With a visionary statutory purpose to protect and improve the environment while supporting health, wellbeing, and sustainable economic growth, SEPA works at the forefront of Scotland’s environmental future. The agency collaborates with the public, communities, industries, and government bodies to innovate and deliver a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable nation. 

SEPA’s strategic priorities—Net Zero, Climate Resilience, Water Environment, Resource Efficiency, Business Environmental Performance and Transformation —guide the organisation’s mission to deliver maximum environmental benefit while creating value for people and the economy.  

The organisation protects, supports and promotes the environment across Scotland by being purposeful, professional and passionate about what they do.  

The Head of Authorisations sits within the Regulation, Business and Environment Portfolio and reports to the Chief Operating Officer. This role provides strategic leadership for SEPA’s authorisations function, ensuring permits, licences, and registrations are issued in line with legislation, policy, and corporate priorities. It drives the development of efficient, risk-based processes that enable environmental protection and sustainable economic activity, while leading the transformation of authorisation services through digital innovation and customer-focused improvements. The postholder will ensure consistency, transparency, and rigour in decision-making and build strong relationships with regulated businesses, government, and stakeholders. 

• Provide strategic leadership for SEPA’s authorisations function, ensuring environmental permits, licences and registrations are issued in line with legislation and policy. 

• Lead the development and delivery of efficient, risk-based, and proportionate authorisation processes that enable environmental protection and sustainable economic activity. 

• Oversee the transformation of authorisation services through digital innovation, automation, and customer-focused improvements. 

• Ensure consistency, transparency, and rigour in decision-making across all authorisation activities. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with regulated businesses, Scottish Government, and other stakeholders to support compliance and continuous improvement. 

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service excellence. 

• Senior strategic leadership experience. 

• Strong understanding of organisational strategy, risk management, and corporate governance. 

Skills 

• Ability to lead strategic planning and deliver organisational change. 

• Skilled in influencing and negotiating at senior levels. 

• Confident decision-maker with sound judgement in complex situations. 

• Effective communicator with the ability to build strong partnerships. 

Experience 

• Significant leadership experience managing large functional areas. 

• Proven record of implementing frameworks and strategies that drive improvement. 

• Experience representing organisations at national and international level. 

Attributes 

• Strategic thinker who anticipates challenges and adapts priorities. 

• Resilient and able to make and defend difficult decisions. 

• Committed to promoting organisational values and a positive culture. 

Personal Attributes 

• Committed to environmental protection and sustainability. 

• Adaptable and resilient, with a focus on continuous improvement. 

• Able to inspire and empower teams while maintaining high standards of accountability