Theme Lead – Leadership

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. While the main office location will be SPSC there may be some travel to establishments to aid in the understanding of the operational issues.

• 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.