We are recruiting for a full time Manager (Interim Manager Environmental Evidence) on a fixed term basis until 10th November 2026

This is a hybrid role with regular travel to SEPA’s Eurocentral Office

Interview will take place 24th and 25th June 2026

Your passion has never had a greater purpose

Here at SEPA, we’re connected by a passion that drives us to be purposeful in every action we take – to protect our environment. Through our expertise, we lead projects that make a difference for Scotland, and our workplaces are grounded in respect for that expertise.

That’s why, when you join us as Manager (Interim Manager Environmental Evidence), you’ll discover enriching benefits, meaningful support, and opportunities to learn every day. That’s what it means to be Passionately Purposeful – for our environment, and for your career.

Work that goes beyond your desk

Experts at what we do, we work in a professional way towards our shared goals, knowing the work we do makes a genuine, lasting difference on the environment. As Manager (Interim Manager Environmental Evidence), that involves:

• Manage and coordinate a team of laboratory-based scientific staff within the Environmental Evidence function, responsible for analysing a wide range of samples, using state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation. Manage employees providing technical guidance, support, mentoring and training
• Oversee the development, implementation and continuous improvement of SEPA’s laboratory analytical methods, ensuring analysis remains robust, fit for purpose and aligned with regulatory and organisational requirements
• Ensure analytical work meets QA and QC requirements in line with ISO/IEC 17025. Support high quality data generation, reporting and record keeping delivering reliable, traceable and defensible results
• Support safe working practices in a laboratory environment by promoting compliance with health and safety procedures. Help ensure risks are effectively managed, incidents are minimised, and laboratory activities are carried out safely in line with legislation and organisational safety standards
• Support the wider management team and staff in Data, Evidence and Innovation (DEI) portfolio continue with the ongoing organisational transformation

Respect for your expertise

This is a highly important role within our Data, Evidence & Innovation portfolio, which means you’ll need:

• Relevant qualification or demonstrable professional experience equivalent to SCQF Level 8–10, or substantial equivalent experience gained in a quality, scientific, data or regulatory environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of laboratory operations, including Quality Assurance, Health & Safety, budgeting, workload planning, environmental events, and delivery of SEPA’s national monitoring plan
• Demonstrable skills in workload planning and prioritisation to meet service delivery requirements, with proven experience managing competing demands, allocating resources effectively, and monitoring outputs to ensure deadlines and quality standards are consistently achieved
• Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to influence and motivate others and effectively communicate complex technical and scientific concepts to non-technical and non-scientific audiences
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to lead, motivate, promote organisational values, build effective cross team relationships, and sustain high performance while supporting team health and well-being

Please open the link to the Manager role profile link which outlines the core responsibilities and expectations of the role within a defined activity family.  Please note the role profile name may be different to the job title being advertised.

Support that goes beyond the workplace

We’re cultivating a workplace that supports not only your passion and your professional lives, but your personal life. So, you’ll find benefits that make a difference at work and at home. Such as:

• Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities
• Up to 35 days annual leave and 7 additional public holidays each year (pro rata)
• Paid time off to support your Wellbeing and enable you to Volunteer in your community  
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Progressive Family Friendly policies  
• Training & development to enable colleagues to improve their skills, competencies and knowledge to perform at their best.

Plus, many more lifestyle benefits such as 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform, credit union facilities and access to a Cycle to Work Scheme.

Passionately you. Purposefully supportive

SEPA is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and good relations in everything it does – as a community leader, as a provider and commissioner of services, and as an employer.

Passionately Purposeful about Scotland’s environment – and your career.

Protecting our environment, promoting our work, and supporting our people, working at SEPA means being part of an organisation that’s grounded in respect for your expertise – and your wellbeing. So you can be your best, and make the biggest impact.

We recruit solely based on merit. Our shortlisting process is conducted on an anonymous basis. Please ensure that you include all relevant information when you apply.

We support flexible working arrangements to help you maintain a healthy balance between career and homelife. This includes working part time, reduced hours, job sharing, working remotely. As a flexible first employer we are open to having conversations about flexible working arrangements that work for you and SEPA from day 1 of your employment with us.

We are proud to be a 'Disability Confident' employer and will work to identify and implement reasonable adjustments and equipment to support you in the role that you do.

Applicants with a visual impairment can request job descriptions and application forms in Braille, large print or on tape.

For the security and wellbeing of our colleagues, successful candidates will undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.

If you have questions or need any assistance with the recruitment process please contact SEPA’s Recruitment Team at recruitment@sepa.org.uk

Apply now to join a Passionately Purposeful workplace