An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Scottish Prison Service as we recruit for a Head of Estates to lead our Estates Team. As Head of Estates, this post leads a large, multidisciplinary function of circa 300 colleagues across all prison establishments across Scotland and headquarters functions. Your team includes engineers, architects, surveyors, property professionals and essential FM trades—electricians, plumbers and joiners—working collaboratively to maintain, modernise and transform the prison estate in Scotland.
What makes this role unique?
- Scale and complexity: From modern facilities like the new prisons being built in Inverness and Glasgow, the new women’s prison at HMP Stirling to historic and listed sites such as HMP Dumfries, you will oversee a varied and technically demanding estate.
- Breadth of delivery: A dynamic programme spanning everything from lifecycle maintenance to major capital projects including new prisons and accommodation blocks.
- Purpose-driven leadership: You’ll work across all functions of the SPS and with external partners to deliver priority outcomes—tackling overcrowding, mitigating emerging risks like security and drone incursions, and creating positive environments that keep those in our care safer from harm and support rehabilitation.
Looking ahead – your strategic challenges:
- Leading the estate contribution to the delivery of two new prisons currently under construction and advice on further estate development and build
- Delivering infrastructure to support changing population and complex custody needs
- Future-proofing workforce and skills planning to support an increasingly technical and digitally enabled estate
- Demonstrating value for money through smarter asset management, improved standards and specifications, stronger supply chain strategies, and robust programme and project delivery. You will be directly responsible for a combined revenue and capital budget of around £60m, and involvement in two major Scottish Infrastructure programmes - HMP Highland £209m due for completion in the Spring and HMP Glasgow £998m due for completion later in 2028 - which you will ensure is spent in accordance with public finances requirement for best value
- Driving the net zero agenda (2045) through a fabric-first approach—balancing sustainability ambitions with operational pressures and constrained budgets
- Embedding data-led estate management, including digital records, performance benchmarking and long-term planning
Above all, you will ensure the SPS estate provides safe, secure and fit-for-purpose environments that support rehabilitation for all those in our care, our staff, and visitors.
Some of the benefits you can enjoy in role are:
- Commitment to your personal and professional development
- Annual Leave - 37 days rising to 42 days
- Free 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
Head of Estates employer: Scottish Prison Service
The Scottish Prison Service is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible hybrid working options, generous annual leave, and a commitment to collaboration across justice partners, this role as Principal Analyst - Population Insights provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life experience in the heart of Edinburgh.
