Scottish Enterprise said it is seeking to hire a Director for Scaling Innovation to help it double the number of scale-up businesses in life sciences, industrial biotech, fintech, space, and “critical” technologies over the next decade.

Scottish Enterprise said succes in this plan would create 75,000 new jobs and an extra £14 billion turnover.

The role comes with a salary of £94,539, with a location described as “Flexible within Scotland.”

“The next five to ten years will be a defining time for Scotland’s economy,” said Scottish Enterprise.

“In the face of global challenges and constrained public finances, it’s more important than ever that we focus on high growth opportunities …

“Our mission focuses specifically on the five future industries: life sciences (human health), industrial biotech, fintech, space, and critical technologies.

“We’re working to double the number of Scottish scale-up businesses in these areas over the next decade. This will create 75,000 new jobs and an extra £14 billion turnover …

“This is a critical time for Scotland’s economy as we focus on the high-growth opportunities that will drive long-term transformation.

“The Director of Scaling Innovation has a pivotal role within our mission-based approach.

“You’ll lead and shape our ambition to scale Scotland’s innovation strengths into high growth industries of the future. This requires inventiveness, insight, and influence to direct our energies to projects that can support our ambitions.”

SE said the skills and experience of the new director should include:

• Demonstrable vision and leadership credibility
• Experience operating at senior levels with key enterprise stakeholders in the innovation landscape
• Strong engagement and influencing skills at the highest level, internally and externally and in sensitive or challenging situations
• Ability to leverage a well-developed network of contacts in the scope of economic development
• High level of economic literacy and an appreciation of political structures, economic theory and practice, and social structures on a national and international level
• Transformational leadership and management skills, focused on the delivery of ambitious outcomes and the development of high performing teams
• Ability to empower and influence others, working collaboratively across organisational boundaries, leading and uniting a range of diverse business areas to maximise opportunities
• Education to SCQF Level 11 or equivalent relevant professional experience