Job Description
The Emma Caldwell Public Inquiry, established under the Inquiries Act 2005, is an independent investigation into matters of significant national interest. Although independent of the Scottish Government, it is largely staffed by civil servants on assignment from SG, working under the direction of the Chair, Lord Scott.
The Inquiry team is responsible for delivering a full range of administrative and operational functions, including policy development, strategic planning, finance, facilities management, security and communications.
We are seeking to recruit an Operations and Business Team Leader for the duration of the Inquiry. The Operations and Business Team Leader plays a crucial role in managing the Inquiry's relationships with external contractors, coordinating facilities and logistics within the Inquiry office, and overseeing expenditure and financial forecasting. This is a cross-cutting role that requires the post-holder to work collaboratively with teams across the Inquiry, the Scottish Government and external stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a high-quality service and support the Inquiry's reputation as a trusted, open and accessible organisation.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Operations team to deliver planning and all logistics required to fit out (RIBA stage 5 – 7) and maintain the Inquiry office including liaison with lead building contractor, building management team and sub-contractors; securing cleaning and facilities management services; co-ordination of security assessments and ongoing risk mitigations and support for the smooth running of public hearings;
- Be responsible for maintaining and improving robust financial management, forecasting and reporting of Inquiry expenditure, including supporting the Chair in meeting their statutory duty to avoid unnecessary costs; proper governance arrangements and application of the SPFM, and thorough analysis of expenditure for publication and associated media lines (in collaboration with the Head of Communications);
- Lead on ensuring that position management arrangements, processes, systems and resources are in place to support the operational delivery of the Inquiry teams and take account of feedback;
- Manage and develop positive relationships with contractors providing data protection officer, hearing broadcast and legal accountancy services, ensuring evaluation and contractual obligations are met within set durations and budgets;
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with building management, facilities contacts of other tenants, SG Security and iTecs, Mitie and sub-contractors to ensure the ongoing functionality of Inquiry office and associated equipment and services;
- Provide proactive support and strategic advice to the Deputy Secretary, Head of Operations and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), as required, ensuring timely visibility of key matters and appropriate consultation on significant risks, issues and decisions
- Line management of the wider operations team.
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.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Operation Leadership and Management - Practitioner Level
Experience
Working knowledge of RIBA framework and proven ability to provide leadership in a project delivery environment, providing a quality service and collaborating with a wide range of professional services.
Strong understanding of budget management processes and milestones, with experience of forecasting and reporting in a non-core SG setting, plus handling of pro-active release of expenditure.
Behaviours:
- Changing and Improving - Level 4
- Managing a Quality of Service - Level 4
- Communicating and Influencing - Level 4
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 750 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.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered
Skilled 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.
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.
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 offer Working pattern
The Inquiry will have two bases, one in Edinburgh for the administration, and one in Glasgow for the oral hearings. The postholder will be required to travel regularly between the sites. While virtual & hybrid working may be feasible at some points, there is an expectation that the post holder will be present in Glasgow for the duration of the inquiry hearings.
Due to the nature of delivering public hearings annual leave and flexible working hours will be restricted at times during this post. While job sharers and individuals on any working pattern are welcome to apply, the likely restrictions should be noted and may not suit all.
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
Further information about this opportunity is available from pamela.beer@emmacaldwellinquiry.scot or christopher.crowther@emmacaldwellinquiry.scot
The Inquiry aims to uphold the highest standards of independence and impartiality. Before applying, all candidates are asked to consider if their career history gives rise to any conflict of interest with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. Any queries regarding this should be sent to the recruiting manager.
Read our
Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Apply before 23:59 on 25th 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.
