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.