Continuous improvement lead (lean / operational excellence)

Job Description Continuous Improvement Lead (Lean / Operational Excellence) Secure Government Organisation Gloucestershire | Hybrid Working (typically 3 days onsite) £58,431 - £60,912 Excellent Public Sector Pension Permanent | Full Time | 37 Hours Join a secure government organisation at a pivotal stage in its Continuous Improvement journey. This is an opportunity to shape what good looks like — helping establish practical improvement approaches, reduce operational friction and build long-term capability within a complex, highly regulated environment. We’re supporting a secure government organisation looking to appoint a Continuous Improvement Lead to help improve operational effectiveness, embed sustainable ways of working and establish a stronger long-term improvement capability. This is not a mature Continuous Improvement environment. Instead, the role offers the opportunity for a credible practitioner to shape and embed practical Lean and Continuous Improvement approaches, helping operational and corporate teams improve how they work over time. Success in the role will depend as much on stakeholder engagement, influencing and building trust as on methodology. You’ll work closely with operational and corporate teams to identify inefficiencies, remove friction and deliver meaningful, measurable improvements. You’ll need to be comfortable working with ambiguity, balancing pragmatism with structure whilst helping establish a longer-term improvement capability. Whilst workflow automation and digital tools support the agenda, they are viewed as enablers of improvement rather than the primary focus of the role. This role offers the opportunity to apply Continuous Improvement expertise to a complex, high-consequence operational environment where meaningful change has real organisational impact. Key responsibilities Lead Continuous Improvement and operational improvement initiatives across operational and corporate functions Apply Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Kaizen or similar methodologies to improve operational effectiveness Identify inefficiencies, remove organisational friction and drive measurable improvements Help establish Continuous Improvement capability, governance and maturity across teams Develop practical prioritisation, reporting and improvement approaches Influence senior and operational stakeholders to embed sustainable change You’ll likely bring Experience leading Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence, Business Improvement, Process Improvement or Operational Improvement activity Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, Kaizen or similar methodologies Experience operating within regulated, operational or lower-maturity environments (e.g. aerospace, engineering, defence, manufacturing, utilities, government or similarly complex settings) Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build credibility and bring people with you A practical, hands-on approach to delivering meaningful, sustainable change Exposure to automation, process improvement technology or workflow tools would be beneficial, but not essential This role will suit a credible improvement practitioner who enjoys working in complex operational environments, influencing stakeholders and delivering practical, sustainable change over time. Due to the nature of the environment, successful applicants will be required to undergo enhanced vetting and security clearance processes, including background and residency checks. Interested in helping shape Continuous Improvement capability within a secure public sector environment? We’d be keen to speak with you.