Australian Scott Johnson is to vacate his position as Scotland interim head coach to take up a new role as the Scottish Rugby Union’s director of rugby.

Johnson, who led Scotland to a third-place finish in the RBS Six Nations, is set to take charge of the team for their summer tournament with Italy, Samoa and hosts South Africa.

The SRU said Johnson would remain as head coach until the position is filled and will “continue to have involvement with the Scotland team through until the 2015 Rugby World Cup and beyond”.

Johnson joined the Scotland coaching team ahead of last summer’s successful tour of Australasia and took over on an interim basis after Andy Robinson resigned following Scotland’s defeat by Tonga in November.

The SRU appointed Jonathan Humphreys as Scotland’s forwards coach earlier this week and will continue to work with Johnson to identify his successor.

“It’s imperative that we get the right candidate as head coach of the national team to take us to the 2015 Rugby World Cup and Scott and I are working together on this,” chief executive Mark Dodson said.

“Scott has been a popular coach with the players … but he also has other qualities in abundance that we wish to utilise.

“The director of rugby is a hugely important appointment, one that is absolutely integral to Scotland’s standing on the world stage in the next decade and beyond.”

Dodson explained Johnson would play a leading role in player acquisition and contracting and be responsible for driving a new academy structure and for heading up coach development.

Johnson will also play an integral role with not only the men’s national team but with Scotland 7s and Scotland Women.

Strength and conditioning and medical will also report to Johnson.

“As I say, this is an importantly strategic role for Scottish Rugby and Scott is an outstanding candidate,” Dodson said.