Strategic Director, Inspection

Job Description

Help shape the future of Scottish education by leading a modern, influential inspection function that drives excellence, supports improvement, and delivers confidence in the quality of learning and teaching across the country.

As Strategic Director (Inspection), you will provide strategic leadership for the organisation's inspection function, with overall responsibility for the design, delivery and impact of inspection programmes across Scotland. You will ensure inspection activity provides robust assurance on the quality of education and drives improvement, making a significant contribution to the organisation's wider improvement agenda.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape a newly established independent inspectorate and play a key role within a new Senior Management Team at a pivotal point in the organisation's development. Working alongside a second Strategic Director with complementary responsibilities, you will contribute to the overall leadership, direction and governance of the organisation while helping establish the culture, priorities and future operating model of the inspectorate.

You will lead the development and delivery of an increasingly diverse portfolio of inspection activity, using evidence, research and sector insight to support learning and improvement across the education system. Working with a wide range of stakeholders, you will ensure inspection findings inform policy, practice and continuous improvement at both local and national levels.

Leading a team of Assistant Directors and HM Inspectors, you will provide visible and credible leadership across the organisation, ensuring high standards of professional practice, performance and delivery. You will also contribute to wider corporate leadership, supporting effective governance, organisational performance and resource management as part of the senior leadership team.

The successful candidate will bring a strong ability to interpret and utilise performance, analytical and evidence-based information at a strategic level, alongside a deep understanding of quality improvement methodologies within education. Through your leadership, you will help shape a culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across the system.

Given the significance of the role, the postholder will also have the capability and credibility to operate at the highest levels of the organisation and, when required, provide leadership and support across the wider inspectorate, , including deputising for the Chief Inspector as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of the senior leadership team to implement the Education (Scotland) Act 2025, ensuring all legislative obligations are met.
• Lead and direct inspection programmes across schools, education authorities, further and higher education, teacher education providers and other education settings, ensuring inspections provide robust assurance and drive improvement.
• Lead thematic and subject-based reviews that provide insight into key aspects of education, including learning, teaching, assessment, curriculum and skills.
• Ensure inspection evidence is translated into clear, authoritative and trusted advice that supports national priorities and drives improvement across Scottish education.
• Act as a senior source of professional advice, support and constructive challenge on education policy, practice and performance, supporting the Chief Inspector and Ministers as required.
• Promote and safeguard the credibility, independence and integrity of HM Inspectors and the wider organisation.
• Oversee the effective leadership, governance and performance of HMIE, including inspection operations, corporate services, financial stewardship and statutory obligations.
• Keep the work of HMIE under review, ensuring inspection approaches remain relevant, evidence-based and aligned with the needs of learners, practitioners and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key partners across Scottish Government, local government, the education sector and wider public services to support reform and improvement.
• Fulfil the role of Deputy Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland as directed by the Chief Inspector.

This role requires an experienced and credible senior leader with a strong track record of delivering improvement within education and/or inspection environments. You will bring substantial experience of leading within complex organisations, using evidence and insight to drive improvement, and influencing outcomes at a system level.

As a member of the senior leadership team, you will help shape organisational strategy, drive performance, and ensure HMIE delivers its statutory responsibilities effectively. Alongside leading inspection activity, you will provide executive oversight of corporate and enabling functions, ensuring the organisation is well governed, sustainable, and equipped to deliver high-quality outcomes for learners across Scotland.

Essential Experience

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within education, inspection, regulation or a related public service environment, with the credibility to operate effectively at a national level.
• A proven track record of delivering strategic improvement and organisational performance in complex environments.
• Experience of using evidence, data and professional judgement to inform decision-making, develop strategy and drive improvement.
• A strong understanding of inspection, assurance and quality improvement approaches, and their contribution to improving outcomes for learners.
• Experience of providing strategic advice on complex issues, balancing competing priorities and exercising sound judgement in a high-profile environment.
• Experience of overseeing governance, risk management and organisational performance, ensuring accountability and public confidence.
• Experience of leading or overseeing corporate and enabling functions that support the effective delivery of organisational objectives.

Behaviours (Level 5)

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles.

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

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 with presentation and potential staff or stakeholder panel.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 14 December 2026, however this may be subject to change.

The Final Interview Panel will take place on 18 January 2027, in person at St Andrews House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG. Interviews will be chaired by Ruth Bink, Chief Inspector of Education Scotland. The other panel Members are:

• Sir David Bell - Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive University of Sunderland
• Clare Hicks – Director of Education Scotland
• Owen Evans – HM Chief Inspector, Wales
• Elaine Lothian – HR Business Partner

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 offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 37 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 60% 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).

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 please visit our landing page - Now Hiring: Strategic Directors - Inspection - Scottish Government Jobs