Finance Director

2 weeks ago


Edinburgh, United Kingdom Eden Scott Full time

Director of Finance & Corporate Services

The Scottish Qualifications Authority has a vacancy for its Director of Finance.

SQA is the national accreditation and awarding body, and is at the heart of the education and training system in Scotland. We help people to realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions, and through this to benefit the economy, wider society, and the nation as a whole, by providing a wide range of high quality, internationally recognised qualifications and associated services.

We work with schools, colleges, universities, industry, and government, and strive to ensure that qualifications are inclusive and accessible to all, they recognise the achievements of learners and provide clear pathways to further learning or employment.

SQA plays a crucial role in ensuring that the skills, training, and education systems in Scotland are effective, and is acutely aware of its responsibility to uphold both the accessibility and the credibility of Scotland's qualifications system. As an Executive Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB), it underpins key public policy areas, such as widening participation, narrowing the attainment gap, and providing the people and businesses of Scotland with the skills that they need for the future.

The role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive and as a member of the Executive Management Team, you will provide financial and strategic leadership to the organisation. This includes giving assurance to the Accountable Officer and the Board of Management on the stewardship of public funds and procurement activity. You will play a key role in the strategic development and direction of the organisation.

Key responsibilities will include:

  • Overall responsibility for leading a well organised, skilled and motivated Finance directorate (approximately 39 staff supported by 3 direct reports).
  • Provide effective leadership to Finance and Procurement teams and ensure that people, resources and expertise are developed appropriately to support SQA's strategic goals.
  • Provide strategic oversight in the procurement and sourcing function to ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and implement best business practices to maximise value to SQA.
  • Lead both short-term and long-term budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes in line with the business plan.
  • Ensure that SQA delivers its annual budget in line with Scottish Government's expectations and funding allocation.
  • Work with all areas of the business to identify commercially astute opportunities for SQA that will contribute towards a sustainable financial model for the organisation.
  • Design, implement and maintain robust financial systems and controls ensuring integrity of all systems.
  • Provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Board on SQA's compliance with all relevant legal, audit and regulatory requirements.
  • Work with Scottish Government to ensure an understanding of the requirements for the development of a sustainable financial model for the organisation.
What you'll need to succeed

As a member of the Executive Management team you will be both a role model of the organisation's values - Trusted, Enabling and Progressive and a leader in our values-led programme.

The ideal candidate will, as a minimum, be educated Degree level (SCQF level 9) and be a fully qualified accountant (CCAB) with experience of operating at Executive level, ideally within the public sector.

You will ideally have previous experience of successfully managing relationships within the public sector, including Government, and be able to demonstrate an understanding of both the Public Sector Procurement process and of public sector financial management controls.

The ideal candidate will also:

  • Possess experience of leading and delivering organisational change.
  • Demonstrate commercial acumen and possess outstanding communication skills with people at all levels, and articulate the bigger picture in ways that are meaningful and engaging for all stakeholders.
  • Actively demonstrate values-led leadership behaviours, and maintain a level of comfort and confidence in leadership in conflict situations and challenging circumstances.
  • Possess experience of working with and over-coming business challenges and financial constraints.
  • Highly developed persuading and influencing skills.
  • Be decisive, adaptable and able to manage business pressures.
  • Have the ability to maintain a strategic focus whilst managing business as usual operations.

What you'll get in return

The opportunity to be part of the Executive Management Team, led by the Chief Executive, contributing to the strategic development and direction of this internationally recognised, high profile organisation.


The opportunity to support the implementation of the corporate plan that will take SQA into a new organisation.
An excellent salary and benefits package including a generous pension and holiday entitlement.

The role can be based in either SQA offices in Glasgow city centre or Dalkeith near Edinburgh with regular travel to the other.

To apply please contact Sarah Gracie at Eden Scott Recruitment

#J-18808-Ljbffr
  • Director of Finance

    Found in: Talent UK 2 C2 - 2 weeks ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom UK Civil Service Full time

    Job summaryAbout the team�The Finance and Business Support team are responsible for managing and advising on finance, procurement and business support matters across the Agency. The team comprises 12 colleagues, including the Director of Finance, Head of Finance and Senior Finance Manager.�The team are responsible for ensuring the provision of reliable...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 247857**Salary**: - £53,721 - £63,363**Job grade**: - Other- SFC Grade M1**Contract type**: - Permanent**Business area**: - Finance Directorate**Type of role**: - Accountancy - Finance - Senior leadership - Strategy**Working pattern**: - Flexible working, Full-time**Number of jobs available**: -...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Marks Sattin Full time

    **Marks Sattin** are delighted to be recruiting a senior level opportunity to lead and develop the Lead Advisory - CF M&A team within a growing and highly reputable Advisory firm. This role is operable out of the firms **_Edinburgh or London_**_ office._** The PS firm have a renowned specialist M&A / Corporate Finance team with a proven track record of...

  • Director of Finance

    1 week ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom Eden Scott Full time

    Director of Finance The Scottish Qualifications Authority has a vacancy for its Director of Finance. SQA is the national accreditation and awarding body, and is at the heart of the education and training system in Scotland. We help people to realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions, and through this to benefit the economy, wider society, and...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Meraki Talent Limited Full time

    Meraki Talent are exclusively engaged on the position of Interim Finance Director for a Third Sector client based in the East of Scotland with excellent flexible and hybrid working. **The Opportunity** This interim assignment provides the opportunity to join a fantastic Third Sector organisation with exceptional ethics and values. They are currently going...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Scottish Prison Service Full time

    Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will be responsible for leading the management of the SPS HQ Financial Reporting function. The role is to provide financial leadership to the HQ Directorates ensuring the production of relevant, accurate and timely financial advice and supporting information in order that the Directorates will achieve their agreed...

  • Finance Analyst

    Found in: beBee jobs GB - 6 days ago


    Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Ventus International Full time

    a Leading European Renewable Developer is looking for a Financial Analyst to join their UK team in Edinburgh and support their growth objectives through both Greenfield development projects in onshore wind, Solar and BESS as well as M&A activities. Role Objectives:Create and maintain financial models, to assess the profitability of development and M&A...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom The Royal Company of Merchants of The City of Edinburgh Full time

    An exciting opportunity to join its senior leadership team has emerged to lead their Finance Director role.This position is central to the organisation’s success in supporting the Merchant Company to maintain strong financial literacy including: ownership of the management accounts, membership subscriptions, compliance and audit and tax planning processes.

  • Finance Manager

    2 hours ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom iMultiply Resourcing Ltd Full time

    iMultiply are working in partnership with a well-known Edinburgh based charity on a Finance Manager role offering a competitive salary with an excellent benefits package. The Organisation This opportunity will give you the chance to join a complex but interesting organisation with a fantastic people-orientated culture. The Finance Team supports the...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom MOV8 Real Estate Full time

    At MOV8 we are in the process of building something truly special and are looking for a Finance & Billing Supervisor who is eager to progress and embrace an exciting new challenge within a growing firm. Do you have the skills and experience to add value to our business? If so we want to hear from you. **About Us** MOV8 is a cutting-edge legal firm that is...

  • UK Controller

    2 weeks ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom Resillion Full time

    Resillion is a leading global company renowned for its end-to-end capabilities that transcend industry boundaries, geographical constraints, and digital journey phases. Our mission is to empower you and your organisation to achieve your aspirations in Cyber Security, Digital Media Testing and Quality Assurance. At Resillion, we specialise in a range of...

  • Head of Finance

    4 days ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom NHS Scotland Full time

    **Head of Finance - Projects and Planning** - Location: National Headquarters, Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh - Salary: £56,992 - 61,522 per year (A4C Band 8A) - Contract Type: Permanent - Position Type: Full Time - Hours: 37.50 hours per week The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) has an exciting opportunity within our Capital & Costing team...

  • Deputy Programme Director

    Found in: beBee jobs GB - 2 weeks ago


    Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom The University of Edinburgh Full time

    Contract type: Full-Time 35 hours per week Fixed Term (Maternity Cover): from July 2024 – June 2025The Opportunity:We are looking for a Deputy Programme Director to support the increasing online education activities of the Edinburgh Surgery Online suite of (eight) Masters programmes including the MSc in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors. This is a...

  • Financial Director

    2 weeks ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom The Royal Company of Merchants of The City of Edinburgh Full time

    Job Description The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh, nowadays known as The Merchant Company, is a charitable organisation for business and professional people that has been enriching the life of Scotland’s capital for more than 300 years.An exciting opportunity to join its senior leadership team has emerged to lead their Finance...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Inspiring Scotland Full time

    Job Advert **The Role** Job Title Finance Business Partner - Funds Reports To Sharon Mooney, Finance Director Location Edinburgh Contracted Hours 35 hours per week Salary and Benefits £40k - £44k pa (depending on experience) 9.25% employer pension contribution (salary sacrifice scheme available). Full private medical insurance with the option to...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Cross Resourcing Full time

    We are supporting our client, an Edinburgh-based Charity in the Social Care space, to recruit a temporary Administrator to join their finance department for a period of 7 weeks. You will be working around 17.5 hours per week, with the opportunity to increase. Our client is flexible regarding when you work as long as this across 5 days. Our client is also...


  • Edinburgh, United Kingdom Page Personnel Full time

    Immediate start available, Hybrid working - Hybrid working, progressive organisation going through a period of change. **About Our Client**: Leading governing body in Scotland based in Edinburgh. Providing strong leadership as the Head of Finance and providing the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Board and Council with insight into the organisations financial...

  • Finance Lead

    1 week ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom Scottish Government Full time

    **Details**: **Reference number**: - 343571**Salary**: - £44,557 - £53,351**Job grade**: - Senior Executive Officer- B3**Contract type**: - Permanent**Type of role**: - Other**Working pattern**: - Full-time**Number of jobs available**: - 1Contents Location About the job **Benefits**: Things you need to know Location - Leith, Scotland, EH6 6QQ :...

  • Finance Officer

    3 hours ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom Scottish Government Full time

    Overview: Are you looking for a career in Finance? Do you have excellent communication skills with experience in problem solving? If the answers to the above are yes, then this exciting opportunity could be for you. National Records of Scotland (NRS) is the Scottish nation's record keeper and official source of demographic statistics - information about...

  • Finance Analyst

    Found in: beBee S GB - 2 weeks ago


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom Ventus International Full time

    a Leading European Renewable Developer is looking for a Financial Analyst to join their UK team in Edinburgh and support their growth objectives through both Greenfield development projects in onshore wind, Solar and BESS as well as M&A activities. Role Objectives: Create and maintain financial models, to assess the profitability of development and M&A...