At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead continuous improvement initiatives and drive change across a dynamic public sector organisation.
- Company: Established public sector organisation focused on operational excellence and community engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence change and enhance operational performance in a complex setting.
- Why this job: Shape the future of service delivery through innovation and technology in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading Continuous Improvement functions and managing multidisciplinary teams.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Your new company is a well-established public sector organisation serving a diverse and growing community across a large geographical region in the South West. With a strong focus on operational excellence, public safety and community engagement, the organisation is undergoing a period of continued digital and organisational development. Technology plays a critical role in enabling frontline services and improving efficiency across the organisation with ongoing investment in systems, infrastructure, and data-driven capabilities. The environment is complex and fast-paced, requiring individuals who can balance day-to-day operational demands with longer-term improvement and innovation.
This is a leadership opportunity for an experienced Continuous Improvement professional to shape how change is delivered across a complex and evolving environment. The role sits at the heart of the organisation's transformation agenda, responsible for driving end-to-end improvement initiatives using Lean DMAIC methodologies. You will lead a structured approach to identifying, prioritising and delivering improvements that generate measurable outcomes aligned to strategic objectives and external inspection requirements.
A key focus will be on embedding a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that change is not only delivered but sustained and continuously built upon. Working across both technical and non-technical areas, you will play a critical role in identifying opportunities to introduce automation, streamline processes and remove inefficiencies. This includes driving the use of technologies such as RPA and M365 tooling to enhance service delivery, optimise workflows and reduce manual effort across the organisation.
You will lead and develop a multidisciplinary team, bringing together specialists across automation and digital tooling, while working closely with functions such as HR, Finance, IT, Learning & Development, and Change. The role requires a strong ability to understand organisational and people impacts, ensuring improvements are effectively embedded and aligned with business needs.
In addition, you will take ownership of a portfolio of improvement initiatives, developing robust business cases, overseeing delivery from design through to implementation, and ensuring clear governance and reporting is in place. You will engage with senior stakeholders, providing visibility on progress, outcomes, and benefits realisation, while influencing the wider organisation to adopt continuous improvement as a core way of working.
The position also carries responsibility for engaging and managing external partners, including commissioning specialist support where required, and overseeing supplier performance and contractual delivery. This requires strong commercial awareness, alongside experience in vendor and contract management.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can genuinely shape and influence how a large organisation delivers change, driving tangible improvements that have a long-term impact on both operational performance and service delivery.
What you'll need to succeed:
- Proven experience leading Continuous Improvement functions within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- A strong track record of managing multidisciplinary teams, setting clear priorities and delivering against a structured pipeline of initiatives.
- Experience of building and overseeing portfolios, establishing governance frameworks and ensuring effective performance management.
- Exposure to driving change across areas such as HR, Finance, IT and operational teams.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and balance competing demands around cost, risk and service delivery.
- A well-developed professional toolkit in Continuous Improvement methodologies, including Lean and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Experience developing robust business cases, tracking benefits realisation and presenting clear, data-led recommendations at senior level.
- Comfortable building capability within teams, embedding new ways of working and ensuring improvements are sustainable over time.
- Practical understanding of process optimisation and automation with experience overseeing solutions such as RPA and digital workflow tools.
- Comfortable working closely with technical teams, understanding system integrations, data flows and operational constraints.
- Experience working with legacy systems and third-party vendors, alongside an ability to oversee testing, deployment and ongoing optimisation.
- Previous experience within the public sector or similarly regulated environments would be advantageous.
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Continuous Improvement Lead employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a well-established public sector organisation in the South West that prioritises operational excellence and community engagement. With a strong commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, this role offers a unique opportunity to lead transformative initiatives while working in a collaborative environment that values technology and employee development. Enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and empowers you to make a meaningful impact on service delivery and organisational success.
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already working in the public sector. Attend events, webinars, or even local meet-ups to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with Continuous Improvement methodologies. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve driven change and delivered measurable outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, have a clear and concise summary of your experience and how it aligns with their needs. Tailor your message to show how you can contribute to their transformation agenda.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who are passionate about continuous improvement and making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Continuous Improvement Lead. Highlight your experience with Lean methodologies and any relevant projects you've led that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and data to demonstrate how your initiatives have driven improvements in previous roles. This will help us see the tangible impact you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about continuous improvement and how your skills align with our organisation's goals. Make it personal and engaging!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Lean Methodologies
Make sure you brush up on Lean DMAIC methodologies before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these techniques in past roles, and think of specific examples where you've driven measurable improvements.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Continuous Improvement Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage multidisciplinary teams. Prepare to share stories about how you've successfully led teams through change, highlighting your approach to prioritising initiatives and ensuring everyone is on board.
✨Understand the Organisation's Needs
Research the public sector organisation thoroughly. Understand their current challenges and how technology plays a role in their operations. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their transformation agenda.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Expect questions about how you engage with senior stakeholders and manage external partners. Think of examples where you've influenced decision-making or navigated complex relationships, as this will be crucial for the role.
