Assistant Director Financial Planning & Analysis (Grade M1)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the SFC’s financial planning, forecasting, budget management and monitoring arrangements ensuring effective oversight of running costs, financial sustainability and resource allocation.
• Develop and maintain medium-term financial plans and scenario modelling to support strategic planning, resource allocation and long-term financial sustainability, working closely with colleagues across the Finance Directorate and wider organisation.
• Ensure effective implementation of these arrangements across the organisation and supporting the achievement of its financial objectives. Ensure financial systems, processes and reporting frameworks remain fit for purpose and responsive to changing organisational responsibilities, priorities and ways of working.
• Working with the Senior Financial Planning & Reporting Officer, develop SFC’s finance business partnering approach, providing budget holders with the reporting, advice and support needed to manage their responsibilities effectively. Ensure effective oversight and analysis of SFC running costs.
• In delivering your responsibilities, you will take account of the post-16 funding reform programme, which will see responsibilities transfer from SDS to SFC and ensure that financial systems and processes can support this set of new responsibilities.
• Provide appropriate advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Present on financial matters to the Executive, Finance Committee, and Audit and Risk Committee, and engage with senior Scottish Government stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Deputy Director, Financial Planning & Analysis as appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Professionally qualified accountant, or qualified by experience, with substantial strategic finance and financial management experience.
• Significant experience of leading strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and resource allocation processes, using financial analysis and modelling to support organisational decision-making and long-term financial sustainability.
• Experience of providing strategic financial advice to senior leaders, using analysis, insight and challenge to support decision-making, resource allocation and the management of financial risks and opportunities.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with a track record of developing effective teams, leading change, implementing improved ways of working and driving continuous improvement in finance services.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse complex issues, exercise sound judgement and translate financial information into clear, pragmatic advice for non-finance audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, respond effectively to change and maintain a strategic, organisational-wide focus.
• Strong financial systems, data analysis and IT skills, with experience of developing or improving financial systems, processes and reporting frameworks, and using complex financial information to identify trends, assess risks and opportunities, and support strategic planning and resource allocation decisions.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with experience of building effective relationships and working confidently with senior internal and external stakeholders to deliver organisational objectives.
• Experience of presenting financial information and advice effectively at Executive Team, and committee or Board level.

• Good understanding of the Scottish Government policy, public finance and operating environment.

Terms and Benefits