Head of Energy and Estate Development

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is a national organisation with a powerful mission to look after Scotland’s national forests and land for the benefit of all, now and for the future. Managing 9% of Scotland’s land area, FLS plays a vital role in the country’s environmental, social, and economic wellbeing. It supplies 40% of Scotland’s timber, supports the green energy transition as the UK’s largest onshore wind estate, welcomes 10 million visitors annually, and leads on conservation and restoration of iconic landscapes.

With a commercial income of approximately £140 million per year, supplemented by Scottish Government grants, FLS is on a journey to become fully financially sustainable within three years. This transformation includes ambitious productivity improvement projects and a renewed focus on commercial performance across timber, estates, renewables, and visitor services.

FLS is seeking a strategic and forward thinking Head of Energy and Estate Development to join its senior leadership team. This high-profile role is central to the organisation’s commercial success and long-term sustainability. The postholder will lead the development of renewable energy and estate projects, manage a diverse land and property portfolio, and oversee land transactions across Scotland’s national forests and land.

As a key member of both the Commercial Development Directorate and the FLS Senior Management Team, the Head of Energy and Estate Development will shape strategy, drive innovation, and deliver economic, social, and environmental value through effective land and energy development.

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide visible, inspiring leadership across national and regional teams.
• Set and deliver an estate development strategy that enhances commercial performance.
• Ensure efficient, compliant, and high-quality estate operations.

Collaboration & Influence

• Partner with senior leaders across FLS and government to align strategic goals.
• Identify and develop commercial opportunities and partnerships.
• Promote collaborative working across internal and external stakeholders.

Renewable Energy

• Manage and expand a significant renewable energy portfolio, including wind, solar, and other technologies.
• Build strong commercial partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

Estates & Land Management

• Lead the strategic management of land and property assets, including infrastructure integration.
• Ensure asset value is protected and enhanced over time.

Land Agency & Transactions

• Provide professional leadership to a dispersed team of land agents.
• Oversee acquisitions, disposals, and the Community Asset Transfer Scheme.
• Drive land development opportunities and natural capital initiatives.

We are looking an individual with the following skills and attributes:

Experience – Essential

• Proven leadership of large, dispersed teams.
• Track record of growing and improving commercial operations.
• Strategic planning and performance management in a large organisation.
• Experience delivering results in a matrix management structure.
• Strong influencing and communication skills.

Experience – Desirable

• Background in the renewable energy sector.
• Experience managing large-scale public sector estates.

Technical – Essential

• Expertise in land, energy, and/or estate development.
• Membership of RICS or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong business, budget, and project management capabilities.

Technical – Desirable

• Knowledge of forestry.
• Leadership or management qualifications.

Behaviours

• Leadership (lead criteria)
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving