Finance Manager

Scottish Government; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Scottish Government is seeking a Finance Manager to lead a finance team in budget monitoring and reporting, ensuring high-quality financial information supports decision making. Candidates should have a CCAB qualification and strong financial management experience, with opportunities for flexible working available.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Wide range of employee benefits

Qualifications

• Strong financial management experience.
• Ability to identify and generate financial data.

Responsibilities

• Lead budget monitoring output of the finance team.
• Support continuous improvement of financial reports.
• Build strong relationships across financial directorate.

Skills

Government Finance

Budgeting

Forecasting

Costing

Leadership

Communication

Decision Making

Collaboration

Education

CCAB qualification

Up-to-date CPD

Job description

Job Description

Would you like to join an innovative, forward-looking division with a vision to apply global best practice and a commitment to supporting all staff in growing their professional knowledge, skills, and experience?

Financial Management and Reporting (FMR) teams are at the heart of the Scottish Government within the Financial Management Directorate. They provide monitoring and advice to support effective allocation and management of resources and to maintain and enhance value for money.

Finance Teams serve as the link with business areas. Therefore, in addition to your financial skills, effective communication and stakeholder relationship skills are essential. You will need to be adaptable and responsive to change, leading continuous improvement of the team as it evolves to maximize the benefits of new technology and policies. A flexible approach to changing requirements is necessary, working in partnership with colleagues across other finance roles and the wider Scottish Government community.

Responsibilities

• Lead the budget monitoring output of your finance team, reinforcing the required standards, identifying improvements, and supporting training needs.
• Support the continuous improvement of financial reports, ensuring they are of high quality, use compelling and persuasive language to influence and challenge areas, and help budget-holders make informed decisions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues across the Financial Management Directorate, in business areas, and with other bodies to work effectively together on corporate financial exercises and provide professional advice on finance topics.
• Support your Finance Team by leading and coaching them to ensure effective and efficient work, with appropriate delegation, aiming to develop an effective and high-performing team.
• Lead your team's contributions to the annual accounts and provisional and final outturn, undertaking quality assurance of input in accordance with the corporate timetable.
• Support change arising from the implementation of Oracle Cloud, ensuring sound budget monitoring principles and enhanced financial reporting are maintained.
• As Finance Manager, you will lead a Finance Team supported by Assistant Finance Managers and report to a Senior Finance Manager.
• You will be responsible for budget monitoring related to a specific part of the Scottish Government, enabling senior officials to make informed decisions based on timely and high-quality financial information.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified (or equivalent) with up-to-date CPD.

Success Profile

Technical / Professional Skills:

• Government Finance - Practitioner Level
• Budgeting, Forecasting and Costing - Practitioner Level
• Business and Organisation - Working Level

Finance Profession Capability Framework

Experience:

• Strong financial management experience with the ability to identify, generate, and interrogate financial data to support decision making.

Behaviours:

• Leadership - (Level 3)
• Communicating and Influencing - (Level 3)
• Making Effective Decisions - (Level 3)
• Working Together - (Level 3)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (no more than 1500 words) demonstrating how you meet the skills, experience, and behaviours listed above.

If invited for further assessment, this will include an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 30th June but may be subject to change.

About Us

The Scottish Government is Scotland's devolved government, responsible for key policy areas including education, health, economy, justice, housing, and transport. We offer rewarding careers across various professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and stakeholders to deliver vital public services that improve Scottish lives. We promote a supportive, inclusive environment with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more on our website.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern

Standard hours are 35 per week. We offer flexible and hybrid working options depending on role needs. For specific questions, please contact us.

Equality Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, aiming to reflect Scotland's population in our workforce. Find out more about our diversity initiatives and support for recruitment adjustments.

Further information

Learn more about our organization, staff benefits, and application process on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for detailed recruitment information.