North Sea Transition Authority
Job reference: 000057
Annual Salary: £172,644
Closing date: 07/05/2026
Directorate: Corporate
Location: Aberdeen
Appointment Type: Permanent
Hours Per Week: 37
Contract Duration: Permanent
About NSTA
The NSTA regulates the oil and gas, offshore hydrogen and carbon storage industries. We work closely with central government and industry through the “tripartite” model to support energy security, drive emissions reduction and accelerate the energy transition. The NSTA holds industry to account on reducing emissions and works as an enabling regulator, including, as appropriate, with the supply chain.
Responsibilities
* To maximise societal economic value of offshore activities
* Assist the Secretary of State in meeting the net zero target and carbon budgets
* To enhance the long‑term benefits of the transition to clean energy technologies in the UKCS by considering workers, communities and supply chains.
Brief Overview of Role
The NSTA is recruiting a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Director of Corporate Functions to provide strategic leadership and oversight of financial management and of several established vital corporate functions including digital and data. The postholder will ensure robust financial stewardship, modern and efficient corporate services, and contribute as a key member of the NSTA Board and Leadership Team, including providing the principle advice and support to the Chief Executive in their role as the Accounting Officer, responsible to Parliament, and acting when needed as the Deputy Accounting Officer.
Key priority for the successful candidate will be to ensure the NSTA continues to have a clear financial strategy and sound financial structure. Responsibilities include ensuring integrity of all financial services, delivery, analysis, controls, internal and external reporting, fraud prevention and financial auditing.
The role has direct line management responsibilities for the Head of Finance, Chief Digital Officer, Chief Data Officer and Head of Corporate Services and Programme Delivery. The Directorate currently comprises about 50 staff.
Financial Leadership
* Lead long‑term financial strategy, ensuring robust controls, transparency, and compliance.
* Ensure the NSTA remains compliant with government and company financial management, spending controls and obligations.
* Plan, forecast, budget and report, manage financial risk, audit oversight, fraud prevention and financial governance.
* Provide authoritative financial advice to the Board and senior leadership and act as Deputy Accounting Officer to Parliament as required.
Corporate Functions Leadership – Including Digital & Data
* Strategic leadership of the key corporate functions including finance, data and digital services, facilities, procurement and the project management office.
* Ensure corporate functions lead and deliver efficient strategic and modern support to organisational delivery.
* Empower, motivate and develop both the corporate leadership team and the wider directorate.
* Manage approx. 50 staff via corporate functional heads.
* Work with the Chief Executive & Head of HR to consider the further evolution of this team in responding to the North Sea Future Plan.
Leadership & Organisational Contribution
* Be a full and impactful member of the Board of Directors in providing strategic direction and governance of the NSTA.
* Work collaboratively as a key member of the Leadership Team in executing the organisation’s strategic priorities, shaping delivery and maintaining the NSTA as a great place to work.
* Play an active role in the NSTA’s ongoing transformation, enable continuous performance improvement, and ensure a clear focus on clarity of purpose, communication and engagement.
* Role model the NSTA behaviours and values.
Person Specification
Competence 1: Decision Making and Judgement – create evidence‑based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions. Ability to achieve and deliver organisational objectives while minimising risk and balancing a wide range of considerations to drive and deliver outcomes. Ensure involvement and consultation where necessary and take decisive action when required.
Competence 2: Leading and Communicating – inclusive, engaging, values‑based leader, who is able to collaborate and engage colleagues and stakeholders, deliver a vision, particularly during periods of change, while also showing evidence of listening, adapting and being open to change. As a strategic thinker, set a clear direction and vision whilst managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity. Effectively lead and manage teams through periods of change as the organisation evolves.
Competence 3: Delivery – build a culture of strong performance allowing delivery of outcomes with a firm focus on prioritisation and addressing performance resolutely, fairly and promptly. Demonstrate the ability to provide focus, energy and agility to drive activities forward, often through appropriate delegation.
Competence 4: Planning, Performing and Achieving – lead the successful delivery of key transformation organisational objectives ensuring appropriate planning, prioritisation, allocation of resource, cost‑efficiency and an agile approach. Demonstrate ability to translate complex aims into clear and manageable plans and determine resource requirements to support implementation.
Essential
* Experience of working as a senior finance leader alongside experience of directing other corporate functions.
* Professional accounting qualification.
* Demonstrable record of understanding public and/or private finances, experience of best practice financial procedures and the UK regulatory framework for corporate governance.
* Experience of leading experts from highly skilled functions, driving performance without micromanaging activity.
* Experience in maintaining and improving services by managing risks to ensure own area and partners deliver against defined outcomes.
* Experience of successfully managing complex stakeholder relationships.
Desirable
* Experience of directing corporate functions including information technology (digital and data), facilities, procurement and project management.
* Experience and demonstrable credibility in a Board level role.
* Able to critically analyse long‑term strategic objectives and develop strategies that support achievement of objectives.
* Experience in, and/or knowledge of, the sectors directly regulated by the NSTA.
* Experience in, and/or knowledge of, the UK public sector and civil service.
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