Senior Finance Manager

Scottish Government; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A national governmental organization in the UK is seeking a Finance and Strategy Lead to enhance financial planning and management within the DFMEG portfolio. The ideal candidate will develop strong relationships with finance officials, support budget processes, and maintain internal controls and governance. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence financial outcomes in a dynamic environment while contributing to strategic objectives that influence policy and community welfare.

Qualifications

• Strong financial expertise to manage budgets effectively.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to understand political contexts impacting financial decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the annual budget process for DFMEG portfolio.
• Develop strong relationships with Finance officials and portfolio contacts.
• Support budget processes and provide senior management advice.

Job description

The DFMEG Finance Unit brings together expert financial leadership to coordinate budgets, strengthen resilience, and deliver robust management across a diverse portfolio—making a real impact on policy, resources, and growth.

The DGE Finance Unit offers a dynamic, collaborative environment where innovation meets impact. Join a team that values professional development, diversity, and excellence—where your expertise shapes policy and delivers real results for communities and businesses.

This post is a great opportunity to work at the heart of the DFMEG portfolio at a time of significant real world challenges and change. You will work closely with Exchequer colleagues as well as colleagues across the portfolio, including key Finance officials and portfolio contacts. This post focuses on delivering strong and resilient financial planning and management for the portfolio.

The DGE Finance Unit is part of the Economic Growth, Delivery and Finance Division. It is within the Jobs and Wellbeing Directorate in DGE, but works across the DG and wider DFMEG portfolio. The unit provides centralised finance expertise within DG Economy that delivers improved coordination and resilience at times of pressure, reduces duplication, and delivers robust financial management. The core functions of the unit are:

1. Portfolio finance coordination/lead for the DFMEG portfolio.
2. Support the management of DGE’s resources and provide a dedicated finance service to Directorates and Divisions.
3. Lead and coordinate the annual budget process for DFMEG portfolio including supporting the Budget Bill, ABR and SBR and the annual accounts.

The role is one of two Finance and Strategy Leads within the Unit.

Responsibilities

• Ensure strong and resilient support throughout the budget process as portfolio lead for DFM, Economy and Gaelic by continuing to develop excellent knowledge of the budgetary implications of portfolio policy propositions and the wider political context.

• Develop strong relationships both with key Finance officials and portfolio contacts and ensure portfolio contributions are in line with their requirements and timetables.

• Act as support to portfolio Ministers and senior officials, summarising developments and decisions required accurately and concisely. Take responsibility for completion of related level 4s, and supporting the DFM through Parliamentary scrutiny.

• Lead and support team continuous improvement / process development activities relating to and for the benefit of the DGE Finance Unit and wider DG and portfolio.

• Continue to consider ways to improve day to day stakeholder engagement and managing internal and external relationships.

• Support in year budget processes, providing advice to support senior management decision making and support DGE as his role as Accountable Officer.

• Continue to build knowledge of SG finance to support DGE’s strategic planning and support and build the evidence base to support funding decisions.

• Establish strong relationships with relevant Finance staff and develop an appreciation of the wider budgetary planning context to inform DGE’s and Portfolio position.

• Maintain working knowledge of DG policy developments (and associated budgets) to help support accurate, informed and timely decision making.

• Provide support to Directors and wider DG Economy family ensuring internal controls, governance, risks and financial assurance are in place and working effectively, including providing timely feedback and advice on AO assessments.

• Supporting the annual accounts process providing guidance and support to DGE Finance colleagues where required/possible.

• Monitor traffic and comms on year end accounting process/returns and proactively feed in where issues and suitable interjections have not been identified. Contribute to continuous improvement across the Directorate by participating in people groups (and other groups) as required.