Director of Infrastructure and Organisational Development
Your next chapter in an extraordinary place to live
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Your next chapter in an extraordinary place to live
Thank you for taking the time to visit this website and find out more about this corporate leadership opportunity here at Orkney Islands Council.
In an islands community, the Council plays a much more involved part in people's everyday lives than can be the case elsewhere. The services that sit within this role's portfolio support and protect our community and maintain and develop vital lifeline infrastructure that collectively touches every aspect of their daily lives: our roads and harbours; waste management; environmental health & trading standards; civil contingencies; planning & development; building standards; ICT; management of the Council's estate plus much more. With strategic responsibility for HR & OD this person is also uniquely positioned to align our workforce strategy to frontline delivery.
It's a hugely diverse and rewarding remit that demands a truly strategic perspective and offers fantastic professional development opportunities. In Orkney, you'll discover a place where you will be closer to outcomes – where you can directly see the impact of what you do every day on the quality of life and opportunity in our community.
Living and working in Orkney really isn't like anywhere else. Resilience and resourcefulness are integral parts of island life. It's a place that presents complex challenges alongside a quality of life that is hard to beat. For the right person, the rewards and job satisfaction are enormous.
If you are excited about being part of our Council and are eager to make a difference to our community I'd love to have you on our team.
Good luck in your application.
Oliver Reid
Chief Executive
Part of the Council's Corporate Leadership Team, the successful candidate will play an integral leadership role across the organisation. You'll lead a portfolio of services that is vital to enhancing quality of life on the islands – delivering complex frontline services that are visible and crucial to our community, supporting delivery of our Council Plan.
Looking within the organisation, you'll take lead responsibility for our HR & OD function, shaping a modern workforce strategy that enables our staff to excel in what they do, while developing their professional knowledge and experience to enhance our capacity and expertise.
Your directorate spans infrastructure operations, planning and regulatory services, property and asset management, and human resources - four distinct areas united by a common purpose: enabling resilient, sustainable services for island communities.
£116,653 per annum (inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance) with interview and relocation expenses covered
Local Government Pension Scheme and generous 41 days annual leave (including public holidays)
Manageable work-life balance in a place where you can truly disconnect and enjoy life
Lead services that directly affect every resident across 20 inhabited islands, with opportunities for genuine innovation
You'll provide strategic leadership across infrastructure and organisational development, working with four Heads of Service and their teams to:
We're seeking a strategic leader with proven senior management experience who can see connections across this diverse portfolio. You'll bring leadership credentials and a strategic perspective, with the ability to work with technical experts and see interdependencies across different areas of work.
The Council has engaged Solace in Business to support this important appointment. You are encouraged to contact Amy Billington on 020 7976 3311 or amy.billington@solace.org.uk to discuss the opportunity in more detail.
All four services share common themes: resilience, sustainability, people development, and asset management. Your role is to see the connections, drive strategic thinking across operational excellence, and balance day-to-day delivery with long-term transformation. You can read more about current service priorities in our Directorate Delivery Plan.
Roads, fleet, waste, quarries, grounds and civil engineering - these are the services people see and depend on every day.
Keeping them running smoothly across an archipelago requires both operational excellence and creative thinking about what island geography demands.
We balance growth with protection - helping development happen whilst safeguarding what makes these islands special.
From marine planning to building standards, environmental health to trading standards, this service enables economic development without losing our character or heritage.
The physical buildings and digital systems that make modern council services possible. This spans everything from ICT infrastructure to capital projects, estates management to business continuity planning.
It's about managing what we've got whilst investing strategically in what we'll need.
As the islands' largest employer with roughly 1,800 staff, how we develop our people matters
This service leads on workforce planning, employee relations, learning and development, and organisational culture - not just for HR, but shaping how the whole council operates and evolves.
Roads, fleet, waste, quarries, grounds and civil engineering - these are the services people see and depend on every day.
Keeping them running smoothly across an archipelago requires both operational excellence and creative thinking about what island geography demands.
We balance growth with protection - helping development happen whilst safeguarding what makes these islands special.
From marine planning to building standards, environmental health to trading standards, this service enables economic development without losing our character or heritage.
The physical buildings and digital systems that make modern council services possible. This spans everything from ICT infrastructure to capital projects, estates management to business continuity planning.
It's about managing what we've got whilst investing strategically in what we'll need.
As the islands' largest employer with roughly 1,800 staff, how we develop our people matters
This service leads on workforce planning, employee relations, learning and development, and organisational culture - not just for HR, but shaping how the whole council operates and evolves.
Our values - accountable, respectful, considerate and collaborative - aren't just words. They're how we work with communities, with each other, and how we expect our senior team to lead.
We take the initiative and make informed decisions to stay committed to delivering what matters.
We act with integrity and communicate openly to earn trust through our everyday actions.
We value and respect each other to build a culture of empathy and understanding.
We work as one team combining diverse ideas to deliver innovative solutions.
We take the initiative and make informed decisions to stay committed to delivering what matters.
We act with integrity and communicate openly to earn trust through our everyday actions.
We value and respect each other to build a culture of empathy and understanding.
We work as one team combining diverse ideas to deliver innovative solutions.
As the islands' largest employer with approximately 1,800 staff, we're committed to being an outstanding employer, developing our people, and transforming our systems. This isn't just HR's responsibility - it's embedded across all services, from infrastructure safety culture to digital transformation enabling flexible working.
Orkney consistently ranks amongst the UK's best places to live, combining outstanding natural landscapes with rich cultural heritage and strong communities.
Imagine cycling past 5,000-year-old stone circles on your way to work, or watching puffins nest on sea cliffs during lunch. Here, UNESCO World Heritage sites like Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar are your neighbours, whilst seals, orcas and the Northern Lights provide regular entertainment.
Orkney offers something increasingly rare: meaningful work in a place where ancient history meets modern innovation, where neighbours become lifelong friends, and where your children can roam safely in landscapes that have inspired generations.
We understand moving to Orkney is a significant decision. We provide interview and relocation expenses in accordance with Council Policy to help you and your family transition smoothly.
Short commutes, manageable schedules, and beautiful surroundings create space for life outside work. Many residents enjoy coastal walks, water sports, and outdoor activities right from their doorstep.
Island life fosters genuine connections where neighbours become friends. Local events, festivals, and shared activities create lasting relationships and meaningful support networks.
Low crime rates, clean air, and natural surroundings create an ideal setting for families. Excellent schools and abundant outdoor learning opportunities support children's development.
Active cultural scene with traditional music, festivals, and world-renowned archaeological sites. The islands blend ancient history with contemporary innovation and creativity.
From summer festivals and midnight sun to winter's Northern Lights and cosy island pubs, Orkney offers distinctive seasonal experiences. Whether it's cycling coastal routes, exploring ancient sites, or joining local celebrations, there's always something to discover. Discover more at Orkney.com
Shape infrastructure and organisational capability whilst discovering what island life can offer.
£116,653 per annum
(inc. Distant Islands Allowance)
Permanent, Full-time
Politically Restricted Post
Council Offices, School Place
Kirkwall, Orkney
19 January 2025