Chief Operating Officer

Interim Chief Operating Officer

Contract – 4 days per week

Edinburgh / Hybrid - expected 50% of contracted hours to be office based

Immediate start - estimated 6 months up to 12 months

Competitive day rate

Venesky Brown is working in partnership with Crown Estate Scotland to secure an experienced Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a high-profile executive leadership assignment during a period of significant organisational transformation.

Crown Estate Scotland is a public corporation responsible for managing the Scottish Crown Estate - a diverse portfolio of land, property and seabed which plays an important role in Scotland's economy, communities and transition to net zero.

Crown Estate Scotland is embarking on an ambitious new phase with the delivery of its Corporate Plan 2026-31, including a step change in investment, property activity and income generation. To support these ambitions, a new senior leadership structure is being established, with three Chief Officers joining the Chief Executive to form the Corporate Leadership Team.

While permanent recruitment is underway, Venesky Brown is seeking an exceptional Interim Chief Operating Officer who can join Crown Estate Scotland immediately and provide experienced executive leadership through this period of change. This is an immediate-start assignment, estimated to last 6 months up to 12 months.

The role

Reporting to the Chief Executive and operating as a key member of the Corporate Leadership Team, the Interim COO will provide strategic leadership across People, IT & GIS, Administration and Business Support, and Planning & Performance Management.

This is a transformational leadership assignment rather than a business-as-usual COO role. The successful candidate will help mobilise Crown Estate Scotland's new organisational structure, lead significant organisational change and strengthen planning, performance and continuous improvement capability.

• Leading an organisational review and restructure and developing recommendations and options for the permanent Chief Officer team.
• Working alongside the Interim CFO to mobilise the new structure and establish the Operations and Finance & Commercial departments.
• Providing executive leadership across People, IT & GIS, Administration and Business Support.
• Leading the annual business planning process for 2027/28.
• Developing the new Planning & Performance Management function, including enterprise planning and continuous improvement/quality management.
• Providing strategic oversight of the People Strategy, pay and reward strategy and resource planning.
• Providing strategic leadership for implementation of the Data Strategy.
• Leading preparation for the People Committee and attending Board meetings.
• Working collaboratively with the wider Corporate Leadership Team to establish new ways of working and the Senior Leadership Group.
• Sharing collective responsibility for organisational performance, governance, Best Value, income generation and delivery of the Corporate Plan 2026-31.

About you

Venesky Brown is looking to engage an accomplished executive who can quickly establish credibility, operate effectively at Board level and provide visible, confident leadership through significant organisational change.

Previous COO experience is essential.

• A strong track record of successfully leading transformational change and business improvement.
• Significant experience and deep understanding of at least two of the following: People; IT & GIS; data strategy implementation; administration and business support; or enterprise planning and performance management.
• Strong strategic, organisational and commercial judgement.
• Experience operating effectively with Boards, senior leadership teams and complex stakeholder groups.
• A values-led, inclusive and coaching approach to leadership.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with a willingness to lead practical implementation at pace.

Experience spanning private, public and/or third-sector environments would be particularly valuable, combining commercial thinking with an understanding of public-service values and accountability.

The assignment

This is an immediate-start interim opportunity, estimated to run for up to 12 months. The role may be engaged on a Contractor Day Rate (inside IR35) or possible Public Sector Secondment basis.

Visible leadership will be important. The successful candidate will therefore be expected to spend approximately two to three days per week in Crown Estate Scotland's Edinburgh office.

For an experienced interim executive, this is an opportunity to make a significant impact at a pivotal point for Crown Estate Scotland - helping shape its future operating model, strengthen organisational capability and establish the foundations for delivery of its ambitious Corporate Plan.

Venesky Brown is managing this interim appointment in partnership with Crown Estate Scotland. For a confidential discussion, contact Suzanne Sweetin at Venesky Brown: suzanne@venesky-brown.co.uk