Head of Finance Business Partnering

Scottish Government; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A public sector organization in Glasgow is looking for a Finance Business Partner to support key directors and senior managers. Ideal candidates will have strong commercial finance experience and be CCAB qualified. Responsibilities include team leadership, providing financial advice, and support during budget setting. This role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders and regular updates to financial plans.

Benefits

Supportive working environment

Flexible working options

Wide range of employee benefits

Qualifications

• Must be fully CCAB qualified with relevant post-qualified experience in an accountancy environment.
• Strong background in finance business partnering or management accounting.
• Ability to provide high-quality advice to Senior Leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and support to the Finance Business Partnering Team.
• Work with colleagues to provide financial and strategic advice.
• Support in budget setting and contribute to development of relevant documents.

Skills

Commercial finance experience

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

CCAB qualification

Job description

This is a challenging, energising and fast-paced role which acts as key support for the Head of Finance, Director of Finance & Corporate Services, other Transport Scotland Directors and Senior Managers in our supported arm's length bodies, providing high quality advice with an opportunity to deputise on a regular basis, as well as regular access to Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.

A suitable candidate will bring experience from a strong background and knowledge of commercial finance in either the public or private sector, as well as a proven track record of delivering results in financial management and excellent leadership and people management skills.

This role sits within the Finance and Corporate Services (FCS) Directorate which is one of eight directorates within the agency. FCS consists of four distinct functions - Corporate Services, TS Finance, Sponsorship and Transport Portfolio Finance.

Reporting into the Head of Finance, you will lead one of the two Finance Business Partnering Teams. The team consists of approximately 6 members of staff and delivers key finance business partnering and management accounting to the Transport Scotland Directorates who are responsible for our public bodies, including rail and ferries. The team develops awareness of drivers of financial performance to date, and accurate forecasting and outturn reporting and provides professional financial advice to support achievement of objectives within available resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership, oversight and strategic and operational support to your Finance Business Partnering Team in the provision of management accounting support, financial and commercial advice and guidance to your allocated Transport Scotland Directorates.
• Work with colleagues across the agency to develop provide professional financial and strategic advice to support the achievement of objectives within available resources, bringing constructive challenge to ensure robust decision-making.
• Bring extensive knowledge of commercial finance to assist Transport Scotland Directorates with high profile financial and contractual negotiations and transactions.
• Robustly assess projections of future expenditure and ensure regular updates to financial plans to support corporate and Scottish Government budgeting, risk management and long-term financial planning.
• Support the Portfolio Finance team, stakeholders and Ministers by engaging in the budget setting process, contributing to the development of applicable documents and advice for Transport Scotland.
• Deputise for the Head of Finance or Director of Finance & Corporate Services as appropriate in matters relating to finance business partnering and management accounting.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified with up to date CPD and relevant post qualified experience in accountancy environment.

Experience

• Strong commercial finance experience, with the ability to provide high quality advice to Senior Leaders and to negotiate with stakeholders.
• Highly effective leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate effectively with a range of staff and stakeholders.
• Strong background in finance business partnering or management accounting, with the ability to communicate and explain complex financial concepts to non-accountants.
• The ability to think and act strategically and make links across policy and organisational boundaries to achieve positive outcomes.

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 criteria 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 TBC however this may be subject to change.

If you require any further information on the post please contact Gillian Steele - [e-mail]

About us

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency, seeking to deliver a safe, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable transport system for the benefit of the people of Scotland. Transport Scotland is accountable to Parliament and the public through Scottish Ministers, with a budget of over £4 billion per year. Transport is a vital feature of the Scottish Government's focus on increasing sustainable economic growth, and transport investments and policies have major impacts on the economy, people, and the environment.

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 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.

You will require to be office based twice per week.

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: 7th October 2025 (23:59)