Moray MP Angus Robertson will lead the SNP’s campaign for next year’s Westminster General Election.
He will take on the role of campaign director, with the SNP’s new depute leader, Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie taking responsibility for producing the manifesto.
Mr Robertson directed the SNP’s successful 2007 and 2011 Holyrood campaigns.
And the announcement comes just a day after the party won the by-election for the Elgin North seat at Moray Council.
Announcing the two appointments, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is increasingly likely that next year’s General Election will result in a hung parliament, and it is therefore vital that Scotland returns more SNP MPs to help deliver a progressive policy agenda at Westminster.
“We have the strongest levels of support we have ever had going into a UK election – following our extraordinary membership and polling boost since the referendum – but we take nothing for granted.
“Angus Robertson and Stewart Hosie both have substantial records of electoral success, and they are also excellent public representatives. Angus and Stewart are key members of the team I am building, with crucial jobs to do, to help deliver success across Scotland in next year’s election.”
Mr Robertson said: “We have great opportunities at the General Election to advance Scotland’s interests – the more votes and seats the SNP win, the more the Westminster establishment will have to pay attention to what people in Scotland want.
“We have more members than ever before to take our message to the people – with around one in every 50 adults in Scotland now in the SNP – and by working as a team at all levels I am confident but never complacent about our prospects.”
Mr Hosie said: “The SNP policy agenda will reflect the aspirations of the people of Scotland – an end to failed austerity economics, policies to boost growth, jobs and social justice, cancellation of the ludicrous plans to renew Trident nuclear weapons at a cost of £100 billion, and securing the powers Scotland’s Parliament needs to build prosperity and a fairer society.
“By definition, successive Westminster governments – Tory and Labour – have failed to deliver on this agenda. Therefore, our strong message is that these policies can only be achieved by a strengthened team of SNP MPs using our influence on behalf of the people we are asking to elect us to the House of Commons.”