Description Are you looking for an opportunity to lead the financial function of a varied and complex government Directorate? We're looking for a Head of Finance to join the Scottish Procurement & Property Directorate (SPPD), one of our Corporate Directorates (DG Corporate). This key leadership role sits within our Directorate Business Management Unit (DBMU) and reports to the Head of Unit. The DBMU plays a central role in supporting the wider directorate, providing a range of essential services including financial and risk management, business operations, communications, strategic engagement, and support to our Director. You will lead on the financial management and strategic planning of a budget of around £80 million, which includes Capital, Resource, Annual Managed Expenditure (AME) and Corporate Running Costs (CRCs). You will also work closely with the Director and Head of DBMU to provide financial insight and support, and partner with Deputy Directors to help manage the budgets within their specific areas. In addition, you will oversee the workforce planning for the directorate, supporting around 430 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. Responsibilities Responsibilities Support your business area’s Deputy Director / Director in strategic and operational financial planning and activities, as the key directorate staff member responsible for financial management. Lead on accurate Directorate level forecasting, budget monitoring and workforce planning. Provide strategic financial management and oversight, including reviewing current processes and providing alternative options and models to improve efficiency and identify potential cost savings. Lead and manage the directorate finance team, engaging and collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders, including the Directorate BCLO network to achieve outcomes. Strengthen provision of accurate, timeous, clear and concise reporting, engaging with colleagues in potential improvements to current systems and processes, with a focus on strengthening planning and leveraging improvements from system developments. Present complex financial information clearly both verbally and in writing to support organisational decision making. Improve financial awareness across area of responsibility, including the correct and relevant use of AO templates and financial governance. Oversee of the Directorate workforce planning and vacancy management process, providing robust data and prioritisation of vacancy filling in line with organisational controls. Qualifications Qualifications The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified/working towards with up to date CPD and relevant post qualified experience in an accountancy environment. 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. Financial Programme Management - Expert Budget Management - Expert Strategic Financial Analysis and Insight - Expert. You can find out more about the skills required here 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. Behaviours: Leadership - 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 1000 words ) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 15 September 2025 however this may be subject to change. About Us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the 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 working week is 35 hours. We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We would be happy to discuss this with you in more detail during the recruitment process. OSCR operates a hybrid working model, with an expectation that staff attend our Dundee office at least two days per week. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. Security Checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 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. Apply before: 31 August 2025 (23:59) This role is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only.