Head of Research and Commercial Development Service - C1

Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Hybrid

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently Priority Movers. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.  

Would you like a job where you can lead the development and delivery of a new commercial research service for the National Records of Scotland (NRS) in a fast paced, high priority area?

This new research service represents a significant strategic opportunity for NRS to leverage its world‑leading archival, genealogical, demographic and census datasets to generate income that can be reinvested in public services. While these authoritative, historically verified assets create clear potential for high‑value research partnerships and commercial activity, realising this opportunity requires a dedicated operational leadership role to translate strategic intent into a structured, marketable, and sustainable service offer whilst ensuring that, alongside this new service, NRS continues to make data and information available to meet statutory responsibilities.

This dedicated lead role is essential to develop and implement the new service, drive income generation and funding diversification, and establish NRS as a credible research partner—particularly in support of UKRI recognition and future investment, using their skills to help market the service to the right audiences. This role will provide the coordination, external engagement, and governance needed to manage complex partnerships, protect NRS’s reputation for quality and integrity, and ensure the service delivers both financial return and public value. The role will report into the Director of Customer Services Operations and Archives and be part of the largest directorate within NRS, alongside working with other service and business areas across the organisation.