Chief Executive Officer of Education Scotland

Are you an innovative leader looking for an opportunity to shape the future of education in Scotland? Education Scotland has an excellent opportunity for a new Chief Executive to lead the continued transformation of the agency and create lasting change for learners and educators. As Chief Executive Officer, you will provide exceptional national and organisational leadership and strategic direction to reshape the organisation into an increasingly confident, respected and influential public body that is ready to deliver for the future of Scottish education, with a primary focus on the curriculum.

Building trust and working collaboratively with partners and senior stakeholders across the education system, you will advise on complex issues in areas of strong public, media and political interest to deliver cultural and system level change that has a tangible and lasting impact for learners. If you are a dynamic and visionary leader who combines strategic insight and a proven track record of delivery alongside a genuine passion for equity and excellence in education – this is your chance to make a real difference.

Responsibilities

• Inspire and articulate a compelling vision for the future of Scottish education, galvanising stakeholders across the system to embrace innovation, equity, and excellence.
• Deliver cultural and system level change, through transforming the work and approach of Education Scotland, to refocus resources efficiently on its primary responsibility for leading curriculum design, improvement and innovation in Scotland.
• Provide system wide strategic leadership for Scottish education, with a particular focus on curriculum, developing organisational capability, and building strategic partnerships to deliver long-term improvement.
• Make the organisation’s contribution to national support for improvement in Scottish education more effective, in line with the Scottish Government’s wider education reform commitments, including a collaborative approach to digital transformation across the education system.
• Develop and implement a sustainable financial model for the agency, and as Accountable Officer, be personally answerable to the Scottish Parliament on the propriety, regularity, and efficient use of public finances, ensuring resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively.
• Set the strategic direction for the organisation, lead and manage the Senior Leadership Team, challenging, motivating and empowering them to attain ambitious outcomes and ensure collective and consistent delivery of the Corporate Plan.

Person specification

Success Profile

It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this role. In addition, candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the professional experience and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.

Experience

• An education background with practical experience and a proven track record of leading and delivering system level improvements in excellence and equity is essential.
• A strong track record in delivering cultural and transformational change, using evidence-based analysis, sound judgement, and constructive challenge to enable successful outcomes.
• Experience of operating successfully at board or senior level using strong political acuity, in a complex organisation, to deliver results.

Behaviours: You are expected to provide evidence of the following behaviours at Level 6.

• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

Benefits: Alongside your salary of £111,916, Scottish Government contributes £32,422 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role. An environment with flexible working options. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.