Senior Operations Manager (Census 2031)

Do you want to shape the delivery of Scotland’s Census, enabling governments and other public bodies to plan the services we all rely on, and telling the story of Scotland's people for generations to come? If so, this post could be for you. We are the trusted producer of Scotland’s population statistics, including taking the Census of Scotland’s population every 10 years. The next Census is in 2031 and will be delivered in partnership with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA). This is one of the largest digital programmes delivered in Scotland, gathering data from every household across a population of c.5.7m. As part of a large and complex programme of work, you will lead the operational readiness, workforce capability and delivery planning required to support Scotland's Census 2031. This post will report into the C2 Head of Census Operational Design. The exact make up of your team is to be determined and will likely consist of a mix of B3 and B2 team members. You will also work alongside statistical design colleagues to develop the census statistical design and ultimate aim of producing high quality statistics that meet data user needs. In addition you will work with IT and Programme colleagues and a range of stakeholders in ONS and NISRA during the design, build, test, delivery and live operation. The operation includes a large field force of enumerators who follow up non responding houses. You should note that Scotland’s Census is a time limited project which will run until 2032 depending on the role. Staff who are on permanent contracts will remain with NRS after this time whilst a new, suitable role is found. Please contact the line manager named in this advert if you have any further questions Responsibilities Line management and day to day responsibility for a team of staff to design, build, test and deliver a credible, responsive and professional service Lead and develop teams responsible for operational readiness, workforce capability and operational delivery. Own operational planning and readiness activities for one or more census operational workstreams, including field force, contact centre, logistics and fulfilment, management information, household enumeration or communal establishment operations. Develop operational processes, standard operating procedures, escalation routes and performance frameworks that enable successful delivery of census services. Lead workforce planning, recruitment, training and capability development activities required to support large-scale census operations. Ensure operational requirements are represented throughout service design, build and testing activities, providing operational insight and expertise to Product Managers and delivery teams. Lead operational testing, rehearsals and readiness reviews to ensure services are prepared for live operation. Monitor operational performance through management information and analytics, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement. Manage operational risks, incidents and issues, ensuring appropriate escalation and resolution. Build strong working relationships with colleagues across NRS, ONS, NISRA, suppliers and partner organisations to support successful delivery of shared services. Set direction, lead and develop inclusive teams that deliver high-quality operational outcomes and excellent service performance. Ensure resources are deployed effectively and efficiently to deliver operational objectives in a complex and changing environment. 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: Connections and communication (P) Operational leadership and management (P) Data and insight (P) Delivery and decision making as speed (P) You can find out more about the skills required, here: ODP Competency Framework Experience Demonstrable experience of leading complex operational delivery, operational readiness, workforce planning or service implementation in a large-scale public-facing operation. Experience of managing operational performance through data and management information, leading teams through change, and working effectively with multiple stakeholders to deliver operational outcomes. Behaviours: Seeing the big picture Managing a quality service You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk) 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. 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, dates TBC. 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. 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 National Records of Scotland (NRS) is Scotland’s record keeper. Our purpose is to collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland's people and history and make it available to inform current and future generations. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. NRS is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government & and our staff are part of the UK Civil Service , working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. 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 . As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules . Working pattern Candidates should note that Scotland’s Census is a time limited project which will run until 2032 depending on the role.  Staff who are on permanent contracts will remain with NRS after this time whilst a new, suitable role is found. 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. Candidates should note that office attendance will be needed at points in particular for collaboration sessions but there is currently no fixed set days in addition there may be occasional travel to other UK agencies. 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). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide . Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. 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. For further information about the vacancy, please contact Steven Gilliland at [email protected] Apply before: Sunday 16 August (23:59)