Job Description
Do you want to help lead and shape the operational systems and processes that support the delivery of high-quality inspection activity across Scotland's education system?
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) is a newly established body under the Education (Scotland) Act 2025. It provides independent inspection of education in Scotland, from early years to adult learning.
We are looking for an experienced Operations and Delivery Lead to join the HMIE Business Operations team, supporting the delivery of HMIE’s inspection plan. The Operations and Delivery area plays a central role in leading the effective planning, coordination and delivery of inspection activity.
In this role, you will provide strategic leadership to the operational teams that deliver inspection planning, resource deployment and inspection administration. You will support governance reporting and continuous improvement.
The main objective of the role is to ensure HMIE’s inspection programme is planned, resourced and delivered in a way that is efficient, responsive and aligned with organisational priorities.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team to deliver high-quality operational and delivery support, ensuring work is planned, prioritised and completed effectively to meet organisational priorities, agreed key performance standards and stakeholder needs.
- Lead the development and delivery of the annual inspection programme, ensuring effective resourcing and scheduling across all inspection types.
- Align plans with organisational capacity, strategic priorities and operational requirements.
- Ensure that appropriate systems and processes are in place, including inspection planning, administrative support, and monitoring and reporting arrangements to support the delivery of the inspection programme.
- Produce operational reports, performance updates and planning dashboards for HMIE leadership to support informed decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to improve planning, deployment and administrative processes that support HMIE’s commitment to improvement, efficiency and innovation.
- Build effective working relationships with HMIE teams, Education Scotland, the Scottish Government and external partners.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on.
Experience
- Leading multi-functional teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Working in an inspectorate environment, or a similar setting, with experience of the principles and purposes of inspection.
- Using advanced Excel spreadsheets and CRM systems to interrogate data, make informed decisions and provide evidence-based advice to senior leaders.
- Leading strategic projects, particularly those related to systems and process improvement.
Behaviours:
- Managing a Quality Service - Level 4
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our
candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
Assessments are scheduled for the end of August 2026 however this may be subject to change.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offeredSkilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the
Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any
complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
About us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the
UK Civil Service, observing the
Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about
what we offerWorking pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role, including Flexi-leave. Scottish Government staff in hybrid-compatible roles should aim to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our
Careers Website Read our
Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before 23:59 on 6th August 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only. External candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy.
