HM Chief Inspector of Education for Scotland in Glasgow

HM Chief Inspector of Education for Scotland

Join to apply for the HM Chief Inspector of Education for Scotland role at The Scottish Government

The Scottish Government provided pay range

This range is provided by The Scottish Government. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Fixed Term Appointment or Secondment for 23 months, with the possibility of an extension.

Are you a transformational change leader looking for your next challenge?

We are looking for a Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland, on a secondment or fixed term appointment basis, to provide significant national leadership, working with leaders across education and Government.

The Scottish Government is committed to implementing significant reform to secure better outcomes for children and young people across Scotland. With statutory powers about to be conferred upon HMCIE, this is an exciting opportunity for a transformational change leader to establish a new independent education inspectorate, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), and to deliver cultural and system level change.

Advising on complex issues in areas of strong public, media and political interest and scrutiny, you will provide information and evidence to influence educational policy, improve educational practices across Scotland, and communicate inspection findings to diverse audiences including media, internationally and parliamentary committees.

We are seeking a highly respected and influential education leader to deliver a system-wide impact in a short time frame. The successful candidate will take ownership of complex decisions and deliver measurable results.

Responsibilities

• Statutory responsibility for setting inspection plans and overseeing the inspection of learning, teaching and assessment to drive improvement, resulting in better outcomes for current and future generations.
• In support of the Government’s overall vision for Scottish education, develop and deliver a two-year strategy for HMIE, integrating new legislative requirements to maximise the inspectorate’s role to promote improvement in education and work in partnership with others.
• Improve and innovate the approach to inspection and ensure that inspections are conducted to the highest standards, maximising their contribution to educational improvement, within finite resources.
• Drive changes in working practices and behaviours which will underpin improved impact from inspection activity and increased efficiency. For example, evidence that the organisation is orientated to system improvement, and sharing practice which is achieving excellence and equity for learners.
• Communicate inspection findings by engaging with senior system leaders, including in schools, local authorities, professional associations, Education Scotland and Scottish Government. Through excellent communication skills cultivate improvement through relationships, challenging policy and practice where necessary to raise standards in performance for learners, based on robust evidence and sound judgement.
• Development and implementation of a sustainable financial and operating model for the new organisation.

Success Profile

Experience Criteria

• A highly respected and influential education leader, with suitable teaching experience and relevant experience of acting in a senior leadership role in an educational establishment is essential.
• Proven success in both strategic and operational leadership, communicating a clear vision and driving improvements in excellence and equity in education.
• A track record of delivering high-profile cultural and transformational change, with the ability to drive rapid, system-level impact, taking ownership of complex decisions and ensuring delivery.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

How To Apply

Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) that directly addresses the Experience Criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out.

During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as behaviours aligned to this role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified applications will be withdrawn.

About Us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport.

The implementation of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 will see the establishment of the office of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland (HMCIE). Statutory functions will be conferred on HMCIE, who will lead a new independent education inspectorate, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE).

Benefits

If the post is offered on a fixed term appointment basis, the salary will be in the range of £111,916 – £162,500, depending on your skills and experience. Alongside your salary, Scottish Government offers an employer contribution of 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

If the post is offered on a secondment basis, the salary will be based on existing terms and conditions between the Scottish Government and your current employer.

Working Pattern

Our standard hours are 37 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role.

Although based in Glasgow, HM Inspectors are located across Glasgow, Livingston, Dundee and Aberdeen, as such, the post-holder is required to have a visible presence in all locations, as they lead change across the organisation and wider education system.

Security Checks

The successful candidate, if new to the civil service, will require Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) security clearance. In addition, given the requirements of this role, candidates will require national security vetting to Security Check level as a condition of appointment.

Equality Statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Seniority level

Executive

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

Industries

Government Administration