At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead learning and development initiatives focused on leadership within the Scottish Prison Service.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service, committed to becoming a learning organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, attractive pension, and discounts at popular stores.
- Other info: 37 days annual leave, excellent career progression opportunities, and a commitment to your growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on leadership culture and personal development in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: SCQF Level 9 or above, with a willingness to pursue further qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
In the role of Theme Lead, you will hold responsibility for learning and development aligned to Leadership within the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). You will create and maintain a purposeful learning environment in line with the organisational objective of becoming a learning organisation. You will hold responsibility for the staff learning and development aligned to your theme within the SPS. This will include designing and delivering development offerings and creating CPD opportunities at all levels across the organisation.
You will work collaboratively with the other Theme Lead: Leadership and the Senior Talent Manager to continue to develop the learning offering for your theme aligned to the organisational Leadership Strategy and contribute to organisational strategy in relation to your theme. Your role will include designing development materials and resources, supporting participant development, and developing the supporting infrastructure. You will use a range of delivery approaches to engage and enthuse learners and work alongside other Theme Leads to ensure a cohesive portfolio of CPD activities, tools, products, resources, and services for staff, assuring overall organisational capability for the SPS.
You will be one of eight Theme Leads and will share management for Learning and Development Managers within the Leadership Development team. As Leadership Theme Lead you will hold responsibility for all leadership and management development within SPS. This includes contributing to strategic work to continually refine and develop the leadership culture in SPS and embedding our identified approaches of relational and values-led leadership. This work has a wide range from providing support to our most Senior Managers to working with those in non-management roles identifying their personal leadership.
This is a non-operational post; however, any successful operational applicant would be supported to maintain and develop their operational competence as part of ongoing CPD.
If you have the following, we would like to hear from you:
- Evidence of academic attainment at SCQF Level 9 or above (or equivalent), relevant to the role applying for.
- Be willing to undertake a relevant learning and development qualification at SCQF Level 11 within the role, achieving this within approximately 24 months of taking up the position. (Essential)
- Professional and Personal Development - Evidence of your personal and professional development and how this has prepared and developed you for the role of Theme Lead in Leadership. (Essential)
- Analysing Complex Information - Experience of analysing complex information drawn from a number of sources, identifying, implementing, evaluating solutions and making recommendations for improvements aligned to organisational and training needs. (Essential)
- Evaluation/Research Experience - Experience of conducting evaluation and research, demonstrating well-developed skills and a sound understanding of research/evaluation impact with the ability to shape and inform policy. (Essential)
- Teaching/Facilitation Practice - You have an understanding of contemporary leadership learning and development practices and theories with the ability to put these into practice in the workplace to achieve the best desired outcome for the learner. (Essential)
Some of the benefits you can enjoy in role are:
- This role lends itself to Hybrid working, in line with policy.
- Attractive Pension (Civil Service)
- Commitment to your personal and professional development
- Free gym and car parking
- Discounts at high street stores, supermarkets and restaurants through our partners at Blue Light Card, Edenred and Civil Service Sports Council.
- Sick Pay
- Annual Leave - 37 days rising to 42 days
For information on the job, including full job description and person specification, and to apply for these vacancies please visit the Scottish Prison Service website. We are committed to your personal and professional development and offer a wide range of career progression opportunities.
Closing date: 24 May 2026.
Theme Lead - Leadership in Falkirk employer: Scottish Prison Service
The Scottish Prison Service is an exceptional employer that prioritises the personal and professional development of its staff, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture. As a Theme Lead in Leadership, you will benefit from hybrid working arrangements, an attractive pension scheme, and extensive annual leave, alongside opportunities for career progression and access to discounts through various partners. Join us in fostering a learning organisation that values relational and values-led leadership, making a meaningful impact within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Theme Lead - Leadership in Falkirk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Scottish Prison Service. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the role and help us tailor our approach.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching leadership development trends. We want to show that we’re not just familiar with the basics but also passionate about innovative practices in learning and development.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our responses to common interview questions, especially around analysing complex information and evaluating training needs. Let’s make sure we can articulate our experiences clearly and confidently!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through the Scottish Prison Service website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about the opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Theme Lead - Leadership in Falkirk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your relevant experience in learning and development. We want to see how you've contributed to leadership initiatives before, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points shine through. Remember, less is often more!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to align your application with the job description. We’re looking for specific skills and experiences that match the role of Theme Lead in Leadership, so customise your content to reflect that.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there too.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Know Your Leadership Theories
Brush up on contemporary leadership theories and practices. Be ready to discuss how these can be applied in a learning environment, especially within the context of the Scottish Prison Service. This shows you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about leadership development.
✨Showcase Your Development Experience
Prepare specific examples of your past experiences in designing and delivering learning programmes. Highlight any CPD opportunities you've created or facilitated, as this will demonstrate your capability to contribute to the organisational strategy effectively.
✨Analyse and Evaluate
Be prepared to discuss how you’ve analysed complex information in previous roles. Think of instances where you identified training needs and implemented solutions. This will showcase your analytical skills and your ability to align with organisational goals.
✨Collaborative Mindset
Emphasise your experience working collaboratively with others, especially in leadership roles. Discuss how you’ve partnered with different teams to create cohesive learning offerings. This is crucial for the Theme Lead position, so make sure to highlight your teamwork skills.
