Description Job Description The Director of Finance is a critical and influential strategic leadership role within the SPS, which operates with 5 Directorates, forming the Executive Management Group. Whilst the Director of Finance is the portfolio lead and responsible for the running of the Finance and Estate functions, they are also part of the Executive Management team which supports the Chief Executive in the overall safe, person-centred running of Scottish prisons, with a focus on rehabilitation. This post is a key role within the SPS leadership team, which requires both an internal corporate focus and engagement with the Scottish Government, including Ministers, the Scottish Parliament and a range of Justice sector and other public sector partners as set out in the SPS Framework Document. You will operate at the most senior level of the SPS, leading on the annual Budget and Spending Reviews and working closely with the Principal Accountable Officer, members of the SPS Executive Team, and members of the Risk Monitoring and Audit Committee. This post leads the Finance, Estates, Net Zero and Procurement functions of the Scottish Prison Service, covering 17 prisons and annual resource budget of just under £500 million. Responsibilities Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of the Director of Finance include those listed below: Provide advice to the Chief Executive and lead on the development of financial strategy aligned to the current and future priorities of the SPS. Oversee the creation and implementation of a clear, cohesive and focused financial strategy: a strategy that is underpinned by a robust approach to risk management, financial compliance, and financial planning. Advise the Chief Executive, Directors and Scottish Government, as relevant, on the appropriate budget allocation, drawing together economic forecasts and strategies to manage allocation risk, considering resource, capital and operating cost budget. As part of the senior leadership team, ensure appropriate processes and controls are in place so that budgets are balanced. Provide strategic and technical advice, financial forecasting, and assurance in support of a number of strategic corporate projects, including new prison builds, change and major projects. Lead the development, delivery, and publication of the annual SPS Budget and any Spending Reviews to ensure each Budget provides clear and increased impact from resource and capital investments. Oversee the production of statutory accounts ensuring accuracy and to agreed timescales. All work must be underpinned by sustainable finances for inclusive economic growth, wellbeing, and a low carbon future, and processes managed in a way that is transparent to ensure accountable spend to the Scottish Government. They will ensure that opportunity cost and the overall sustainability of the SPS Budget are considered in all financial decisions; aligned at all times to outcomes and public value. Qualifications Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Qualifications The successful candidate must be fully CCAB qualified as a professional accountant with up to date CPD and have membership of a recognised professional accountancy body. 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. Highly effective leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and collaborate with a range of staff and stakeholders. Strong planning and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a diverse workload and team; able to adapt to changing situations and managing competing priorities. Significant financial management experience at a senior management level with a clear understanding of: Public body expectations Integrated approaches to improvement, performance, management information and risk management The relationship between strategy and financial management High levels of numeracy and understanding of financial frameworks. This includes the ability to: understand Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors deal with complex financial instruments drive quality, efficiency and value for money in the management of budgets Behaviours You are expected to provide evidence of the following behaviours at Level 5. Leadership Working Together Developing self and others Managing a quality service You can find out more about Civil Service Success Profiles Behaviours here. Salary This is a Senior Civil Service Pay Band 1 role with a starting salary of £104,129. Candidates, including internal applicants, should note that that the salary level is tied to the post. Should you move to another SCS 1 role in the wider Scottish Government you would revert to the normal Deputy Director pay range had you not been assigned to SPS. Candidates from other government departments who wish to come on loan should discuss arrangements for salary on return with their HR department before applying. The Scottish Government does not pay non-consolidated performance awards. If applicable, secondment from your existing employer on your current employment terms might also be considered. 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 psychometric assessment. Interviews are scheduled for w/c 10 March 2025 however this may be subject to change. The final interview panel will be held at SPS HQ, 1 Lochside Avenue, Edinburgh, EH12 9DJ. The panel will be chaired by Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive Scottish Prison Service. The other panel members are: Linda Pollock, Deputy Chief Executive, SPS Adam Jobson, Head of Organisational Development, SPS Ian Harley, Non-Executive Director, SPS About us The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. There are 16 prisons, including two community custody units, operated directly by the SPS and a further prison, HMP Addiewell, run by a private sector operator under contract to the SPS. SPS employs around 5,000 staff. SPS also manages the contract for the Scottish Court Custody and Prisoner Escorting Service (SCCPES), on behalf of multi-agency justice partners, for the provision of safe and secure transport of those in custody to and from courts. More information from Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive about the role and SPS in general is available here. The Scottish Government has laid out a transformative project for it’s strategic vision for justice in Scotland. The SPS has set out how we will achieve these ambitions in its five-year Corporate Plan. 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 for members of the Senior Civil Service are 37 hours per week. As a senior civil servant, you will be required to work such additional hours as may from time to time be reasonable and necessary for the efficient performance of your duties. 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. 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 Sunday 9 February 2025 at 23:59