Planning and Performance Manager (Fixed Term Contract)

Licensed sponsor United Kingdom Temporary Posted 1 hour ago

Fixed term contract – Until October 2028

Audit Scotland provides the Auditor General and Accounts Commission with the services they need to carry out their duties. Together we ensure that the Scottish Government and public-sector bodies throughout Scotland are held to account for the proper, efficient and effective use of public money. We employ around 340 staff in a wide variety of roles, working from our main offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and through a network of regional offices across Scotland.

Are you an experienced planning and performance professional with strong analytical skills and the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships?

We are looking for someone with expertise in corporate planning and developing performance frameworks, management information and dashboards, alongside the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations that influence organisational priorities and outcomes. If you enjoy driving improvement and developing a collaborative and high-performing function, we'd love to hear from you.

Overall purpose of the role

The Planning and Performance Manager leads Audit Scotland's planning, performance and resource management functions, ensuring the organisation has the insight, information and capacity required to support effective decision-making, prioritisation and delivery of strategic objectives. The role provides professional leadership for planning, performance, resource management and business management services, while contributing as a member of the Performance and Corporate Governance management team to the development of an integrated, flexible and resilient corporate support function.

What you will be doing

Strategic planning and performance management

Lead the coordination and delivery of Audit Scotland's corporate planning and performance management arrangements.
Oversee delivery of organisational planning processes, including corporate strategy implementation, operational planning and business planning.
Lead the development and delivery of performance information, analysis and reporting to support Board and Executive Team oversight and decision-making.
Lead development of organisational performance frameworks, indicators and reporting arrangements to support effective oversight and decision-making.

Management information, insight and reporting

Lead the development of management information, performance reporting, dashboards and analytical products, making effective use of automation, self-service tools and emerging technologies to improve organisational insight, efficiency and decision-making.
Provide expert advice, challenge and professional judgement to support senior leaders in understanding organisational performance, capacity, risks and delivery priorities.
Promote more forward-looking analysis and insight, identifying trends, opportunities, risks and delivery challenges.
Oversee development of performance reporting systems, data products and visualisation approaches, including delivery of the organisation's performance data hub and identification of opportunities to improve reporting through automation and AI-enabled tools.
Coordinate stakeholder feedback, impact and outcomes data across business groups, working with Innovation & Quality colleagues to support organisational insight, and impact evaluation and reporting.

Resource management and business management services

Provide leadership for organisational resource management services, ensuring effective integration between planning, performance and resource management activities.
Oversee resource reporting, workforce planning, capacity analysis and forecasting arrangements., working closely with the Resource Manager.
Support business groups through business partnering, planning, performance monitoring, management information and operational risk management, ensuring risk considerations are integrated into business planning, performance reporting and management decision-making.
Lead the development of business management services that support effective delivery of organisational and business group priorities.

Leadership and organisational contribution

Lead, manage and develop colleagues within the Planning and Performance function, building capability, resilience and succession pathways.
Contribute as a member of the PCG management team, supporting collective leadership, shared ownership of outcomes and flexible deployment of resources across service areas.
Work collaboratively with colleagues across Governance and Assurance, Executive Office and wider Corporate Services functions to deliver integrated services and organisational priorities.
Lead and support change, improvement and modernisation initiatives within the team's remit, promoting effective use of technology, automation and AI-enabled solutions to strengthen organisational effectiveness and support delivery of Audit Scotland's future operating model.

Person specification - specific knowledge and experience

Essential

Experience of leading organisation-wide planning, performance management and business management activities within a public sector or similarly regulated organisation, including translating strategic priorities into practical plans, reporting and delivery arrangements. (I)
Experience of developing performance frameworks, management information, analytical reporting and dashboarding solutions, and using digital tools, automation or data technologies to improve reporting, insight and organisational decision-making. (S/I)
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience of interpreting complex information and data to provide insight, challenge and recommendations that support informed decision-making. (S/I/A)
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence outcomes and work effectively with senior leaders and colleagues across organisational boundaries. (I)
Experience of resource management, workforce planning or capacity modelling. (S/I)
Experience of leading, managing and developing people, including coaching colleagues, building capability and creating a positive and collaborative team culture. (S/I)

Desirable

Knowledge and understanding of the Scottish public sector, including the governance, performance, financial and workforce challenges facing public bodies. (S/I)
Experience of leading or supporting organisational change, improvement or transformation activity, with a focus on improving services, performance or organisational effectiveness. (S/I)

*S = Shortlisting criteria I = Interview criteria A = Assessment / Exercise

Interested? Next steps

Download the attached role profile for detailed role information.

Click apply to submit an application.

Please note that due to the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee that CVs will be screened alongside your application form, therefore please ensure your application form includes all information required to demonstrate you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. If you require an alternative way to apply under grounds of a reasonable adjustment, please get in touch with a member of the HR team.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, 25 October 2026 at midnight.

Interviews will be held in-person at our Edinburgh office on 12 and 19 November 2026.

A presentation will be required as part of the interview process.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value the unique perspective a diverse workforce brings to what we do. Therefore, we’re keen to increase representation in our workforce and support progression of minority ethnic groups. We are also a proud disability confident employer and an accredited menopause friendly employer.

Reasonable Adjustments

Audit Scotland’s recruitment process may include various stages and activities including application forms, online assessments, and interviews, to assess whether you meet the requirements of the role.

As a Disability Confident and a Menopause Friendly employer, we are committed to providing inclusive and accessible recruitment where everyone is supported to perform at their best.

When applying for a job with Audit Scotland, you will be asked in the application form if you need an adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process. Please include the reason you require an adjustment and details of what adjustment/s might help.

Some examples of adjustments that have been given to candidates include changing the time, location or format of interviews and providing additional time in any assessments and interviews. This is not an exhaustive list, and we will consider any adjustments that you might need.

As part of our commitment to equality and diversity, our equality network groups would be delighted to offer an insight into Audit Scotland’s culture of inclusivity. If you wish to hear more about life at Audit Scotland or wish to speak with someone about the possibility of any adjustments, please contact Careers@audit.scot or call 0131 625 1500 for further information and a member of the HR team will be in touch.

Other conditions

Audit Scotland is committed to ensuring that

We minimise our impact on the environment in accordance with Government policy affecting public sector organisations.
We uphold the principles of equality, fairness & diversity.
We all work within a safe environment and adhere to good standards of health & safety.
All information is protected and managed appropriately.
We maintain independence and political neutrality.