Tell us a bit about you?

I’m Miriam Craven, Director General for Communities. I’m originally from Ireland and grew up on the West Coast. I moved to Scotland in the late 1990s as a student, not knowing much about the country at the time, but I quickly fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve built my life here.

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Did you study after leaving school?

Yes, I followed my passion for sport and management by studying Leisure and Recreation Management in Dublin. After a couple of years, I transferred to Scotland and completed my degree at the University of Glasgow, earning a Bachelor of Science in Leisure and Recreation Management.

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What and where was your first significant job?

After university, I knew I wanted to stay in Scotland. I joined Odeon Cinemas through their graduate entry programme and started out in Dundee.

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When did you join the Scottish Government and what was the role?

I joined the Scottish Government around 20 years ago as an entry-level A3 staff member with the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). I was drawn to the role because I had benefited from free tuition myself and appreciated the values and ethos of the organisation. I wanted to transition from the private to the public sector.

My responsibilities included assessing student eligibility for tuition fees and living costs. It involved learning about rules, criteria, and the Scottish education system. I found it fascinating and appreciated the supportive team environment, including a buddy system that helped me get up to speed.

That first role was one of the most positive experiences of my career, thanks to the learning and development opportunities and the sense of doing something meaningful for others.

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Tell us about your current role at SG.

I’m currently the Director General for Communities, a relatively new role for me. I’m part of the senior management team of the civil service, working closely with my Executive Team, colleagues, and the Permanent Secretary to deliver the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government and its broader vision.

My team and I are responsible for a wide range of areas including Housing, Tackling Child Poverty, Social Security, Local Government. Human Rights, and Equalities. It’s a varied role that offers many opportunities and a broad scope of work. We work closely with Ministers, providing impartial, evidence-based advice to help turn their vision into action.

Collaboration is key. We work not only within the Scottish Government but also with Local Government and the third sector. For example, in Housing, we partner with Local Authorities and both public and private sectors to ensure a steady flow of housing development that meets our targets.

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What first attracted you to working in government or the public sector?

I was drawn to the ethos of helping people. While we deliver for government, the real impact is on individuals; my family, neighbours, and community. That sense of making a difference resonated with me.

I also connected with the civil service values of honesty and impartiality, and appreciated the organisational culture. The variety of subjects you can work on is another major draw. Unlike the private sector, where roles can be more fixed, in government you can move between areas like Education, Health, or Climate Change, with encouragement to apply your transferable skills.

The people have also kept me here. I’ve built lasting friendships and experienced a strong team spirit, even with hybrid working. Relationships are central to delivering effectively as a team.

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What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are the same, but there is a routine. I’m a morning person, so I start by preparing for the day; reviewing meetings, checking in with my team, and identifying any urgent issues.

My day involves attending many meetings, reviewing advice on various topics, and making key decisions. I might start with a meeting on Social Security Scotland’s next benefit rollout, then move on to mentoring or coaching sessions.

Governance is a big part of my role—ensuring decisions are robust and evidence-based. I also make time each week to get out and meet people externally, to see the real-world impact of our work and bring those insights back into the organisation.

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What do you like most about your current job?

I love the variety—working with different people on diverse subject areas. One moment I’m discussing Housing, the next Social Security policy, and then Child Poverty interventions.

I particularly enjoy working with my team to turn vision into reality. It’s about leadership, asking questions, being curious, and showing care across all subjects. That’s what brings job satisfaction.

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What do you think is the best thing about working at Scottish Government?

It’s hard to pick just one thing, but for me, it’s the variety of people I get to work with. As Director General for Communities, I collaborate with councils, third sector providers, and others to deliver on housing and child poverty.

Internally, I work with amazing colleagues who are equally committed to making a difference. Having grown up in another country, I appreciate the strength of Scotland’s public services and am proud of what we achieve. The shared goal of improving lives in our communities is what drives us.

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What has been your career highlight so far?

There are many, but two stand out. First, helping to establish Social Security Scotland—a brand new public body. We built it from an idea into a fully functioning organisation that delivers benefits with dignity, fairness, and respect. Creating a new workforce and service was an honour and drew on all my experience.

Second, being part of the Scottish Government’s response to the Ukraine war. Supporting resettlement and integration for people arriving in Scotland was deeply meaningful. Seeing the warm welcome they received and helping them build new lives here is something I’ll never forget. It was a delivery rooted in kindness and efficiency.

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What would you say to someone thinking about applying to the Scottish Government?

Go for it, be brave and apply. Talk to people already in roles to understand what the job involves and break down any misconceptions about the civil service.

Don’t let doubts about transferable skills hold you back. Whether you’ve worked in retail or had only summer jobs, your experience is valuable. The Scottish Government offers diverse roles and strong learning and development support.

There’s also a supportive network for young people starting out. Personally, I’m dyslexic, and being open about that from the start empowered me. It hasn’t held me back, it’s given me different strengths that are valuable in any role.

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Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self about starting your career?

Don’t worry about having a plan. It’s OK not to have one! Trust yourself and your skills. Connecting with the purpose of your role makes work more fulfilling.

Be brave. Speak up and say, “I think I could do that job.” Even if you’re not ready now, you might be in six months or a year. Reach out to recruiters and have conversations. Believe in your potential.