Project Manager (fixed term)

Do you believe in the power of data to improve people’s lives? Do you want to enable exciting data driven research to take place securely and for the public good? Research Data Scotland needs you!

At Research Data Scotland (RDS), we’re on a mission to unlock the potential of public sector data securely, responsibly, and for the benefit of everyone in Scotland. We’re entering an exciting new phase of the Administrative Data Research (Scotland) Programme, and in how we deliver change – and we’re looking for a Project Manager to be part of it.

About the job

RDS is undertaking an exciting programme of work to transform the current system of data access for research in Scotland across partners delivering Administrative Data Research – Scotland (ADR-S), part of the wider Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK) is a programme funded by the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council (part of UK Research and Innovation). 

ADR UK works with government (UK and devolved) to create linked, research datasets from administrative data sources, so that impactful research can be delivered both by government and the wider research community. In turn, this evidence base enables government to make policy that supports economic growth and better public services to improve people’s lives – across all four nations of the UK. The ambitions of ADR UK are being delivered in Scotland through the ADR Scotland programme.

We are looking to recruit a Project Manager to lead on operational delivery of data related projects within RDS around how organisations work together to move data securely from administrative data owners to a researcher. The stages may include discovery, design, and implementation planning across multiple partners in the data value chain, focussing on system wide transformation to support ADR-S. 

The projects requiring management will range from technical aspects of storing and linking data, to facilitating agreement for change. Each project will involve some aspect of managing data, combined with technical delivery and process support, with the need for strong relationship management. Knowledge of change management processes would be helpful.

You will work within the established RDS Project Management Framework for managing these projects from concept to conclusion, with collaboration and engagement of ADR Scotland stakeholders and delivery partners a key feature of the role. This role will also look to learn from projects as they develop and share learnings and disseminate best practice across the whole data landscape.

If you’re excited by innovation, enjoy working in complexity, and want to play a key role in transforming how data is accessed for research, this is a brilliant opportunity to grow your impact and your career.

Applications for secondments from organisations that offer this type of developmental opportunity are welcome.

About you

You are a self-starter, with high energy. You are very organised and have proven project management experience, preferably in the public sector or academia. You are passionate about how data driven innovation can transform services and improve wellbeing and have good knowledge of/experience in working with sensitive data and/or secure data platforms.

You’re a confident and adaptable Project Manager who thrives in change and enjoys finding and solving problems. You’re naturally curious, open to new ideas and comfortable challenging the status quo when it leads to better outcomes.

You bring strong relationship‑building skills and know how to bring people with you – whether that’s senior stakeholders, delivery teams or external partners. You communicate clearly, listen well, and can translate complexity into practical, actionable plans.

You’re organised and delivery‑focused, but not rigid. You balance structure with flexibility, using judgement to adapt methodologies and tools to suit the context rather than forcing one‑size‑fits‑all solutions.

Above all, you care about impact. You take ownership, learn from experience, and are motivated by delivering meaningful change that adds real value. 

About us

Research Data Scotland (RDS) is a charity set up by the Scottish public sector and leading universities. We help researchers find and make use of data that can improve the lives of people in Scotland. Working in partnership, we do this by widening the range of data available, creating new data assets and providing a single point of contact for safe, secure and effective access to public data in a trustworthy manner.