Description Can you lead financial transformation and inspire excellence across an evolving public sector agency as its next Financial Controller? The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) is an Agency of the Scottish Government. Our principal role is to administer the pensions for employees in the National Health Service, Teachers’, Police and Fire-fighters’ pension schemes in Scotland. The Agency administers these public service pension schemes on behalf of Scottish Ministers to over 640,000 members with annual payments of over £3.7 billion, together with the related agency administration expenditure of c. £31 million. SPPA's finance function delivers a complete financial management, reporting, and treasury service combined with responsibility for finance transactions with members and employers, to ensure the delivery of value for money outcomes. As Financial Controller, you will have a key agency leadership role, providing financial advice and recommendations to the Executive Team, and leading the Finance teams to be effective, empowered and motivated. You will report to the Chief Financial Officer to ensure that the highest professional financial standards are applied within the Agency, supporting the CFO in strategic and operational planning and activities, influencing at a strategic level to deliver both within and across organisational boundaries, including as part of the Annual Accounts process with Audit Scotland. Responsibilities Lead the production of accurate and timely financial data by Finance Accounting and Reporting team, for the successful running of the Agency and effective administration of pension schemes. Manage reliable and effective financial systems and processes in order to provide accurate and timely financial information and assist the Agency to achieve its objectives within allocated budgets. Manage and drive improvements in the production of three sets of statutory financial statements for the Agency, the NHS Scotland and Scottish Teachers’ pension schemes, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulatory and guidance requirements. Drive the development and implementation of new financial and information systems and processes, and the rationalisation and improvement of existing business systems and processes, taking into account risk and internal controls, to promote efficient and effective public financial management and accountability. Ensure robust provision of accurate, timeous, clear and concise reporting to all stakeholders, including advice to the Pension Boards of the four main pension schemes administered by the SPPA. Develop and maintain effective working relationships across DG Corporate, sponsored bodies, SG and other governmental departments, engaging with stakeholders to understand financial issues, solve complex problems, and provide effective and accurate financial advice contributing to financial planning, control and assurance. Provide effective leadership and support to the team, including direct line management of two Senior Financial Accountants. Responsibilities Qualifications The successful candidate must be fully CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualified 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: Strategic Financial Insight - Expert You can find out more about the skills required here: Finance Profession Capability Framework.xlsx or here: Skills Capture Tool 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. Behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture - Level 4 Leadership - Level 4 Managing a Quality Service - 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 18th August however this may be subject to change. Interview and assessment are expected to take place in person on site at SPPA, 7 Tweedside Park, Tweedbank, Galashiels, TD1 3TE. Qualifications About Us The Scottish Public Pensions Agency is an Agency of the Scottish Government. Our principal role is to administer the pensions for employees in the National Health Service, Teachers’, Police and Fire-fighters’ pension schemes in Scotland for over 500,000 key workers. The Agency administers these public service pension schemes on behalf of Scottish Ministers with an annual pension spend to over 200,000 pensioners to the value of more than £2.5 billion. SPPA Careers | SPPA (pensions.gov.scot ) Civil Service Nationality Rules Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options, with two days minimum working on site at SPPA. 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. Apply before: 20th July (23:59)