Chief Officer - Place

Job Vacancy

This role is responsible for supporting the Executive Director of Place by leading, developing, and managing Place services, with a focus on delivering innovative strategies that grow the local economy and promote inclusive, sustainable development. It involves driving organisational and cultural change, improving service performance, and ensuring effective collaboration across the Council, partners, and external stakeholders.

As a member of the Corporate Management Team, Chief Officer Place focuses on shaping strategy, policies, and procedures to position Midlothian Council as a leading modern local authority. It involves fostering staff development through clear progression pathways and a positive, collaborative culture that encourages new ideas ensuring that services are of the highest quality and meet Elected Member and public aspirations, whilst achieving Best Value and making the best use of resources.

The position also includes overseeing budgets, governance, risk, and compliance, as well as developing policies, service plans, and delivery models that meet community needs.

Place Services encompasses

• Protective Services (Business Regulation, Public Health and Environmental Protection and Health, Safety and Resilience)
• Placemaking (Planning, Sustainable Growth & Investment and Building Standards)
• Neighbourhood Services (Land, Fleet, Roads and Waste)
• Building Maintenance
• Housing

Candidates must have substantial experience in leading transformation initiatives and delivering citizen-centred services, as well as operating effectively at a strategic level within a large complex organisation. The position requires extensive management experience, including service improvement, strategic planning, partnership working, project and budget management, and staff leadership, alongside a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks.

To Apply

Midlothian Council has partnered with Aspen to lead the recruitment of the Chief Officer Place.

All information for the post, including how to apply, is accessible through the microsite: https://www.aspenpeople.co.uk/microsite/midlothian-chief-officer-place/

Closing Date: Friday 6th November 2026

First Stage Interviews: Friday 30th November 2026

Final Stage Interviews & Assessment Centre: TBC

Job Advert

• Post Title: Chief Officer - Place
• Directorate: Place
• Grade: CO42
• Salary: £129,606
• Contract Status: Permanent
• Working Weeks: 52
• Location: Fairfield House/Hybrid. However, the postholder may be expected to work in various locations across Midlothian.

Hours of Duty: The contracted hours are 36 hours per week. However, the postholder will be expected to work the hours required to fulfil the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Requirements

This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance, the fee for this Disclosure check will be met by you and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Once you have submitted your application and this has been processed you will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

Please note

If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.