Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure

Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure

The SFRS protects one of the largest geographical areas of any Fire and Rescue Service with over 350 Community Fire Stations and corporate locations across Scotland. We manage a diverse range of risks, from urban cities to remote and rural island locations. Our Corporate Services teams provide the enabling, professional services that support front line delivery.

The Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure plays a key role as part of the SFRS’ Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), providing strategic leadership and direction to all Finance, Digital and Infrastructure activity for the Service. Alongside responsibility for their own portfolio, they will also have broader accountability for executive responsibilities as part of the SLT, as outlined in the Strategic Leadership responsibilities below.

The Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure will lead the financial, digital and asset management strategies of the organisation, ensuring robust stewardship of public funds, delivering effective procurement processes, and collaborating to develop and maintain the physical, digital and technology infrastructure needed for our people to do their jobs safely and well, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The Directorate consists of three functions of Finance and Procurement, Asset Management, and Digital and Technology Services.

The Directorate has a key role in supporting organisational change and service reform via a range of interventions that support the achievement of SFRS strategic objectives, and which underpin service delivery, partnership working, effectiveness and performance.

The Director will enable and support the SFRS to effectively deliver its services to the communities of Scotland and maintain its reputation as a high performing and financially sound organisation, that delivers best value, through:

• Setting the strategic direction for Finance, Digital & Infrastructure across SFRS, leading the development and implementation of service-wide related strategies.
• Providing leadership and strategic direction across all functional areas within the remit, enabling continuous improvement.
• Promoting strong financial management across the organisation.
• Providing effective financial and asset management planning, including leading development of the annual budget, capital programme and multi-year financial and asset plans.
• Leading on the development and implementation of the Digital, Data and Technology Strategy for the organisation.
• Developing, maintaining and ensuring compliance with effective policies and procedures across all areas within the post’s remit.
• Ensuring high-quality, effective financial, technology and asset services are provided to the organisation.
• Providing timely, accurate and insightful financial reporting to the Board, Strategic Leadership Team, Scottish Government and budget holders.
• Overseeing production of annual statutory accounts for each financial year.
• Leading the organisation’s risk management policy and procedures.
• Providing a safe and healthy working environment.
• Ensuring compliance will all relevant legislation.
• Championing diversity, equality and inclusion, ensuring all decision making, practices and policies promote a culture of fairness and opportunity.

• Ensuring that the SFRS improves the safety and wellbeing of people throughout Scotland, by working with others in the public, private, and third sectors, on prevention, protection, and emergency response.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the Chief Officer (Accountable Officer), Deputy Chief Officers and Strategic Leadership Team on all professional areas within the post’s remit.
• Working with the Board and Strategic Leadership Team colleagues to horizon scan, develop innovative solutions and policies to deal with emerging issues and developments.
• Driving the delivery of the SFRS and Finance, Digital & Infrastructure directorate priorities whilst retaining the focus on internal and external engagement.
• Developing an efficient, effective national organisation which delivers Best Value.
• Liaising as…