External Committee Member Committee

External Committee Member of the People Committee

Final date to receive applications: 5 July 2026

Department: Board Committees

Employment Type: Fixed Term
- Part Time

Location: Edinburgh
- Hybrid

Compensation: This is an unremunerated role (travel and expenses incurred through the attendance of meetings will be reimbursed).

Scottish Funding Council's ambition is for Scotland to be the best place in the world to learn, educate, research and innovate, so that all of our nation can flourish.

Our purpose is to create and sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that changes lives for the better, enriches society and supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

SFC is currently looking for new external members to join its People Committee and contribute to the oversight and development of its People Strategy. The People Committee is a sub‑committee of the SFC Board which provides assurance to the Board that SFC’s executive has undertaken the necessary scrutiny and due diligence for all its People Strategy, Reward, HR Matters and Nominations programmes.

Virtual interviews will take place on 30 July 2026 (via Teams).

As a Non-Executive Member of our People Committee, you will contribute to the high-level oversight of all people aspects of SFC, and your external perspective will bring independent judgement and advice. Successful candidates will draw on their experience to provide constructive challenge through insightful questioning and provide appropriate strategic guidance and HR specialist expertise.

Specifically, external members of the People Committee will be involved in:

• The development and implementation of the SFC People Strategy.
• Overseeing the Transformation Programme which will deliver a redesigned funding body.
• Determining and approving the framework for the remuneration of the Chief Executive Providing guidance and support to the Chief Executive in relation to the process for selecting and appointing Executive Directors.
• Supporting the process for external appointments to Board Committees.

The full standing orders and remit of the People Committee are available here.

As an external member of the People Committee, you would be expected to make a full contribution to the work of the committee and bring relevant expertise and experience this vital area of work.

It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

• Extensive professional experience within executive level HR leadership (including people strategy development, organisational design, organisational development, employee relations, people analytics and reward).
• Senior level experience of one of more branches of business, industry, professional or public sector work.
• Experience of leadership and management in large, diverse and complex institutions;
• Demonstrable experience of people and remuneration.
• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interrogate and interpret complex information and participate fully in Committee deliberations.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively, identify key issues and reach balanced conclusions.

At least one of these:

• Knowledge or experience of the tertiary education sector.
• An understanding of the role of the further and higher education sectors to provide high-quality teaching and research and to provide economic, social and cultural value to society.
• Strong knowledge of employment law.
• Demonstrable commitment to inclusion, equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Proven ability to work effectively within the public sector requirements for accountability and openness and within financial constraints.

This is an unremunerated role (travel and expenses incurred through the attendance of meetings will be reimbursed) and offers a unique opportunity to work with dedicated and expert colleagues supporting the vital work of our Board. The People Committee meets four times a year and the committee meetings are a mix of in person and virtual.

Committee meetings planned for 2026 are due to take place on the following dates:

• Wednesday 16 September 2026 (In Person in Edinburgh)
• Wednesday 11 November 2026 (Virtual via Teams)

External committee members would be required to comply with SFC’s Model Code of Conduct.

Further information about the committee and its current members can be found on our website.

Vacancies close 6 July 2026

Applications shortlisted 9 July 2026

Interviews to take place 30 July 2026 (via Teams)

Induction with SFC Officers and People Chair to take place weeks commencing 24 and 31 August

Successful candidates attend first People Committee meeting Wednesday 16 September 2026 (In person in Edinburgh).