Scottish Government
Business Manager

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Job description
Do you want to play a key role in improving Scotland's prisons by driving the business operations behind independent monitoring and inspection?
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (https://prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk/) is an independent body responsible for the inspection and monitoring of Scotland's 17 prisons. Its purpose is to assess the treatment of prisoners and the conditions in which they are held, reporting publicly on its findings. HMIPS also inspects the conditions in which prisoners are transported or held under prisoner escort arrangements.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland (HMCIPS), Sara Snell, is supported by a Deputy Chief Inspector, a Thematic Lead, a Lead Inspector of Prisons, a Lead Inspector of Court Custody Units, four Prison Monitoring Coordinators, a Head of Business Management/Inspector, two Senior Researchers, a Scottish NPM Coordinator, a Business Manager (this post), a Business Support Officer/Chief's PA, an Independent Prison Monitoring Support Officer and an Inspection/Business Administrative Assistant. There are also around 100 Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) nationally who volunteer from their local communities.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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The Business Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effective operation of HMIPS. The post holder leads key business management activities, supports inspection programmes and provides strategic business support to the Chief Inspector and wider organisation.
Responsibilities
Business Management
- Respond to Freedom of Information (FOI) and Subject Access Request (SAR) requests in a timely manner.
- Act as the HMIPS Hiring Manager, leading the recruitment and secondment of staff.
- As BCLO, manage the HMIPS budget to ensure effective financial control and provide timely responses to all information requests.
- Produce and present quarterly financial forecast papers for HMIPS.
- Support and contribute to quarterly Strategic Meetings.
- Carry out the role of Senior Business Manager for HMIPS.
- Maintain and update the HMIPS Risk Register and organisational objectives, providing formal quarterly updates to the Chief Inspector and Strategic Meeting.
Inspection
- Support the day-to-day management and coordination of inspection activity, including inspection planning and the production of associated timelines.
- Work with the Lead Inspector to recruit, induct and train Guest Inspectors, Associate Inspectors and new inspectors, ensuring all recruits receive appropriate onboarding and training within agreed timescales.
- Maintain accurate records of inspector availability, time commitments and expense claims, ensuring these are monitored and processed promptly.
- Act as a member of the pre-inspection survey team and participate in inspections to support prisoner focus groups.
- Manage inspection reports through to publication, including submission to APS and arranging publication on the HMIPS website.
- Manage SPS responses to inspection reports by maintaining accurate trackers, coordinating the timely publication of responses on the HMIPS website and providing feedback to prisoners on progress against desired outcomes.


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General
- Liaise with volunteers, key partners, relevant Scottish Government colleagues, external organisations and HMIPS colleagues as appropriate.
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