Overview
Vacancy Type: Permanent
Location: Various locations across Scotland
Pay Band: Please refer to full job description on SPS career site
Salary: Operational Managers joining the SPS will receive a starting salary of £52,356, progressing to £55,886 within 3 years, subject to pay progression.
Closing Date: 2025-10-06
Hours of Work: Please refer to full job description on SPS career site
Job Purpose:
As a Operational Manager, you will be accountable for an area of the prison (for example a residential prisoner hall) or for a specific function (for example Operations or Offender Outcomes). Within your area you will have responsibilities such as budgets, staffing, projects and ensuring compliance with all legislation, rules and regulations. You will be a values-based leader with responsibility for a large team of First Line Managers, front line staff and have overall responsibility for those in our care within your accountable area.
You’ll support the achievement of the SPS Corporate Plan and Vision through the constructive engagement of colleagues, the effective delivery of the establishment Annual Delivery Plan, role modelling the SPS values in all that you do. Additionally, you’ll have responsibility for designing, initiating and/or delivering projects to bring about change which promotes the SPS Values and Vision.
You will ensure the highest levels of safety and well-being (physical and mental) for both your team and the people in our care, as well as creating a supportive environment that fosters growth and provides opportunities for development. This role offers a real opportunity to make a difference to the lives of those in our care, but also of the staff you will be working with.
You’ll also act as Duty Manager, covering the entire prison on a shift basis, making all necessary decisions and overseeing incident management as required.
The typical working pattern will be Monday-Friday day shift working hours (normal working hours); however, you may be required to participate in an on call rota covering the role of Duty Manager. This will require shift work including weekend working and being on-call. By taking part in this you will be paid an annual rate of £2000 (pro rata for part time). Payments will be made on a monthly basis.
For further information on our employee benefits and applying for a role with the Scottish Prison Service, please view the Candidate Pack and Guidance documents attached to the job advert below.
Responsibilities:
Provide values based leadership which inspires and empowers. Act as a role model, using emotional intelligence to challenge inappropriate behaviour and support the personal and professional development of others.
Accountable for the overall management of the systems and resources which enable the safe and secure supervision of prisoners in accordance with Prison Rules and Directions within given area. Responsible for those in our care and staff’s well-being, including ensuring health and safety standards are met within area of responsibility.
Build constructive and respectful relationships both internally and externally. Proactively manage stakeholder relationships and networks to develop the service; acting as a positive representative for the organisation and the SPS values in all interactions.
Produce high quality analysis through deciphering and interpreting a variety of both qualitative and quantitative data to inform decisions and actions, aligned to SPS objectives and prison establishment priorities.
Accountable for the drive and delivery of area of responsibility’s agenda under the establishment’s Annual Delivery Plan. Responsible for the translation of national and local corporate policy into operational actions within area.
Implement and promote change which builds the SPS vision and values. Ensure staff engagement prior to and during change; supporting those resistant to change and empowering those who embrace it.
Person Specification
SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Behavioural Competency Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are twelve, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them , you will be assessed on these identified as key to role.
Qualifications Requirements
Experience Requirements
Knowledge Skills Requirements
Leadership Experience
Experience of providing values based leadership, creating a positive and supportive learning environment. Experience of directing, inspiring and empowering others, adapting your approach as appropriate, to deliver positive outcomes through others.
Essential
Operational Experience
Experience of leading a team of managers in a highly complex operational environment. Managing multi-faceted operations and stakeholders whilst ensuring rules, regulations and statutory legislation are implemented and adhered to. Able to manage challenging circumstances and behaviours to ensure progress is made and goals are achieved.
Essential
Making a Difference
Experience of initiating and driving change, whether through small incremental steps or larger change management processes. Demonstrating a positive attitude and a high level of drive to overcome barriers and resistance and resilience to keep going in the face of opposition.
Essential
Analytical Skills
Analysing and interpreting complex information from a variety of sources to identify root causes, trends and the bigger picture to inform decisions and actions. These include quantitative and qualitative data, written sources and environmental sources such as operational intuition and team culture.
Essential
Selection Methods Please refer to full job description on SPS career site.
