Job Description

The Operations and Delivery Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating the operational systems that underpin HMIE’s inspection activity. This includes oversight of inspection planning, resource deployment, and inspection administration. The postholder ensures that HMIE’s inspection programme is delivered efficiently, consistently, and in line with organisational priorities and capacity.

Working across HMIE business operations and inspection teams, the postholder provides professional leadership in planning cycles, operational coordination, and delivery processes. They ensure that inspection deployment is well structured, risks are managed, and operational activity supports high quality delivery. The role also contributes to wider organisational planning, governance reporting, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Inspection Planning & Scheduling

• Lead the annual and in year inspection planning cycle, ensuring effective scheduling across all inspection types.
• Align plans with organisational capacity, strategic priorities, and operational requirements.
• Maintain oversight of changes, risks, and interdependencies affecting the inspection programme.

Resource Deployment

• Coordinate deployment of inspectors and support staff across Scotland, ensuring equitable allocation of resources and responsiveness to emerging issues.
• Oversee processes that ensure inspectors have the right information, tools, and support before deployment.
• Manage operational readiness and support effective coordination between inspection teams and business operations.

Inspection Administration

• Oversee all inspection administration processes, ensuring timely communication, accurate documentation, and consistent quality.
• Ensure inspection teams receive the correct administrative support before, during, and after inspections.
• Maintain reliable systems for managing inspection information, records, and reporting.

Governance, Reporting & Assurance

• Produce operational reports, performance updates, and planning dashboards for HMIE leadership and governance boards.
• Support risk identification, monitoring, and escalation relating to inspection delivery.
• Ensure clear, accurate, and transparent reporting that supports informed decision making.

Continuous Improvement & Change Support

• Identify opportunities to improve planning, deployment, and administrative processes.
• Support the development and embedding of tools, templates, and systems that enhance consistency and quality.
• Contribute to HMIE’s wider change activity by providing operational insight and supporting delivery of improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Coordination & Communication

• Build effective working relationships with HMIE teams, Education Scotland, Scottish Government, and external partners.
• Act as an internal coordination point on inspection delivery matters, ensuring alignment and clear communication across teams.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Selection Process

All candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the Hiring Manager.

Informal discussion dates tbc.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Denise.Brock@HMIE.gov.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.