Job Description

Post Title:

Data and Intelligence Project Manager

Salary:

43,068 - 49,992 per year dependent on experience

Hours:

36 hours per week

Location:

Hybrid/Livingston

Duration of contract:

Fixed term until 31st July 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding


Funded early learning and childcare (ELC) expanded from 600 hours to 1140 hours in August 2021. The expansion prioritises a high-quality experience for the child, recognising the significant contribution that universally accessible ELC can make to a child's development and to closing the attainment gap.


Since 2017, the IS has played a key role in supporting councils and the Scottish Government with the ELC expansion. This includes sharing good practice and learning across the sector, and providing support for local authorities around specific thematic areas of delivery, including workforce planning and eligible 2 year-old uptake. The IS also provides a range of support for local authorities around data collection and analysis to support ELC planning and improvement.


The Data and Intelligence Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring there is a solid evidence base to continue to provide insight into and understanding of the ELC sector by managing the collection, analysis and presentation of data supporting ELC services. The postholder will maintain and develop data tools and dashboards used by local authorities, provide high-quality analysis and insight for decision-makers and lead on new data and reporting projects. The postholder will be expected to work independently, apply initiative, and proactively identify opportunities to improve data quality, insight, and impact.

Scope

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Supported by the Programme Manager, the Data and Intelligence Project Manager will have responsibility for the management and development of the ELC Insights Dashboard, a tool developed by the IS which puts in the hands of councils all the data and intelligence they will need to assure themselves of delivering high quality, flexible ELC services. This will require deep knowledge of the data and intelligence that can be brought to bear, and an ability to develop and maintain software systems that make that data accessible.


The postholder will gather, analyse, understand and report on data and intelligence relevant to the status of the ELC sector. This will be done through data collections and engagement with local authorities, as well as sourcing information from third parties. This will include analysing and reporting on the data collected, identifying and presenting key trends and findings to key stakeholders. This will also require working with the Scottish Government, ADES Networks and COSLA in coordinating and managing data collections and sharing findings. The insight generated will support the sharing of good practice to embed the change necessary to improve services.

Skills and knowledge

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Knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the R language Familiarity with the R shiny package Advanced MS Excel skills Familiarity with Power BI and Power Query within Excel Excellent numerical and analytical skills Applied knowledge of good practice and information governance in data analysis, visualisation and management Applied knowledge of good practice and information governance in data analysis, visualisation and management Experience in data analysis, interpretation, visualisation and reporting Experience of undertaking descriptive statistical analysis in Excel Experience in collecting and maintaining information libraries

For more information please read the job description and person specification.

Information

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Location:

West Lothian Council Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF, with travel throughout Scotland as required. The role will involve a blended model of office and home working. This flexible approach will be agreed between employee and line manager. The post-holder will also spend some of their time working with the Scottish Government ELC policy/analyst teams, and working with local authorities across Scotland, therefore travel across Scotland is anticipated.

Duration:

Fixed term until 31 July 2026 (with possible extension beyond this date subject to funding)

Hours of contract:

Standard working week is 36 hours, Monday to Friday. Hours can be worked flexibly in agreement with the line manager.

How to apply

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If you would like to apply for this position, please visit My Job Scotland.

Closing date

Sunday 23rd November 2025

Interview information

A competence-based interview will take place in person at West Lothian Civic Centre on 1st and 2nd December 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be advised by email a week in advance of the interview.


For more information about competency-based interviews, see our guide to competency-based interviews. You may also find it beneficial to watch our Working at the Improvement Service video and read our current Business Plan 2025-26.

About the Improvement Service

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The Improvement Service (IS) is a publicly funded company limited by guarantee, with a total annual budget in the region of 12 million. We exist to support councils and their partners to improve the health, quality of life and opportunities of all Scottish people through community leadership, strong local governance and the delivery of high-quality, efficient local services.


Working for the IS means joining a team of professionals who work together to strive for continuous improvement in the public sector and ultimately, better outcomes for Scotland's communities.


Our company headquarters are based in West Lothian, located conveniently for commuters between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Pay is only one of the benefits of working for the IS; our terms and conditions are progressive and flexible and employees are rewarded with a generous annual leave entitlement of 41 days per year as well as a flexible working policy.


The IS is committed to promoting equality and diversity in all its activities to promote inclusive processes, practices and culture.


The IS is a Disability Confidence Committed Employer. We are committed to interviewing anyone with a disability who meets the essential criteria.