Policy Manager – Creative Industries and Festivals - B3

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are Scottish Government employees, and are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Creative Industries and Festivals represents some of the most important elements of culture that support the economy. The screen sector is forecast to reach £1bn GVA by 2030, creative industries has grown at four times the rate of the rest of the economy over the past decade, and the major Edinburgh festivals alone are forecast to deliver gross economic impact of more than £4.2 billion in Scotland over the next five years.

This Creative Industries and Festivals Unit leads the Scottish Government’s focus on this area, this includes policy development across screen and broadcasting, festivals policy and delivery, and creative industries workforce, as well as supporting the work undertaken directly by our public bodies such as Creative Scotland, Screen Scotland and Visit Scotland.

The unit is also responsible for the high profile delivery of manifesto and Programme for Government commitments. These include: setting up Screen Scotland as an independent body; the establishment of a Film and TV School; expansion of funding to enhance the ambitions of Scotland's arts festivals, and; the piloting of a minimum income for artists.

As a cross-cutting role, the post holder will build, develop and maintain strong relationships with partners across creative industries, screen, festivals as well as the broader culture sector and beyond, helping to support and enhance some of our country’s most significant national and international assets.

Working across these three areas will provide the post holder with an exciting array of both short-term focused projects, long-term policy development as well as leading on elements of Ministerial and stakeholder engagement.

The Culture and Historic Environment Division as a whole is responsible for: sponsoring culture public bodies and organisations such as Historic Environment Scotland, Creative Scotland and the national collection bodies; ensuring everyone can participate in and enjoy culture; and creating the conditions for creative people and businesses to thrive.

Location

This post is based in Victoria Quay with a mix of office-based and remote working and the expectation of 40% in-person working. The current team anchor day is Wednesday in VQ.

The key tasks and deliverables you may be responsible for include:

• Supporting the work to establish Screen Scotland as an independent public body, through the design, legislation, and delivery process;
• Supporting work to establish a new Television Festival in Edinburgh;
• Leading on early scoping work for the creation of a new Film and Television School;
• Support the development of work to strengthen the evidence base we draw on to develop policy to support Scotland’s arts festivals
• Lead and/or support ongoing work to address key barriers to the sustainability of Scotland’s arts festivals—such as accommodation, affordability, and infrastructure - collaborating across Scottish Government, public sector partners, local authorities and beyond.
• Management of the recently launched Expanded Festivals Fund, working closely with Creative Scotland, arts festivals and other partners to shape its future development.
• Provide concise, rigorous advice to senior colleagues and Ministers - working collaboratively and supporting the team in the production of accurate and high-quality written briefings, submissions, Parliamentary Questions, FOIs, and correspondence.
• Support Ministers and senior staff at meetings and engagements;
• Work flexibly across the Unit and Division as business requires, as well as being prepared to undertake activity as needed during peak periods such as related to major events like the annual programme of Edinburgh Festivals, signature events such Celtic Connections, Glasgow Film Festival and other arts festivals across Scotland.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive B3 employees.

Please submit a CV and a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancy closes at 11:59pm

Selection Process

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.

Informal discussions are to be confirmed.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Emily.Green@gov.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.