Description Job Description Do you want to work in a fast-paced, strategic role that advises and influences colleagues and stakeholders at all levels? Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services & NRS Accountable Officer (SCS1), the holder of this post leads NRS' Finance function and acts as the organisation's principal finance professional and advisor for an annual budget of around £35m, together with a material programme budget for the Census 2031 Programme. The holder of this post is the principal financial advisor to the National Records of Scotland Executive Management Board (EMB) and the Chief Executive. The post holder will ensure that NRS complies with finance-related legislative, regulatory and professional requirements and have primary responsibility for identifying and implementing new and emerging financial requirements and best practice. Responsibilities Responsible for leading the production and publication of the Annual Report and Accounts (AR&A), coordinating and consulting with the Chief Executive and directors as required. You will select appropriate accounting policies, oversee key accounting judgements and ensure that NRS AR&A are free from material misstatement. You will lead NRS' engagement with Audit Scotland (or the external auditor that they appoint). Member of NRS senior leadership team, attending and providing reports to NRS Executive Management Board, Strategic Board, NRS Audit and Risk Committee and Deputy Chair for the Digital and Strategy Board and engagement with NRS Non-Executive Directors. You will provide authoritative advice and insight on financial matters, overseeing internal financial and fraud policies and participating in decision-making on the management of NRS. Member of NRS key programme boards, including Census and other NRS programmes, providing authoritative advice and reporting on programme financial management and planning, contributing to decision-making. SRO for the Fees, Charges and Income Programme. Build strong internal relationships across organisational boundaries and professional groups, particularly with NRS Directors and budget managers, to support financial good practice and provide financial support for planning and delivery of business priorities. Lead NRS Finance team, working with minimal day-to-day oversight and ensuring the team is adequately resourced, trained/developed and efficient/appropriate financial procedures are designed/implemented. 3 x C1 Direct Reports within a wider Finance Team of 18 people. Provide professional support/leadership to staff outside the Finance team with financial management responsibilities, and represent NRS externally on financial matters, including in discussions with SG Finance, the Portfolio finance team, Exchequer colleagues, Internal Audit and in public bodies Directors of Finance network. Responsibilities Qualifications The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with relevant post qualification experience in a similar financial environment and up-to-date CPD. Please ensure you clearly demonstrate this qualification in your CV/Supporting statement otherwise you may be automatically sifted out at application stage. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Understanding of International Accounting Standards - Expert Understanding of Government Finance, Management and Reporting - Expert Understanding the role of Audit Scotland - Expert Strategic Financial Analysis and Insight - Expert You can find out more about the skills required here: Finance Profession Capability Framework.xlsx Experience: Strong technical financial accounting skills and ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and succinctly to a wide range of audiences, including to non-finance colleagues. Experience of implementing or managing effective, sustainable change, modifying and improving behaviours. Highly effective leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with a range of staff and stakeholders Strong planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a diverse workload and team; able to adapt to changing situations and managing competing priorities. Behaviours: Seeing the bigger picture (Level 4) Leadership (Level 4) Communicating and Influencing (Level 4) Delivering at Pace (Level 4) You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 18 August 2025, however this may be subject to change. Qualifications About Us National Records of Scotland (NRS) is Scotland’s record keeper. Our purpose is to collect, preserve and produce information about Scotland's people and history and make it available to inform current and future generations. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. NRS is a Non-Ministerial Department of the Scottish Government & and our staff are part UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Equality Statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. For further information about the role, please contact Claire Gillespie at Claire.Gillespie@nrscotland.gov.uk