Deputy Head of Financial Operations

Are you ready to lead critical government finance operations?

One of five divisions reporting to the Chief Financial Officer in Financial Management Directorate, FODplays a key role in ensuring appropriate stewardship and use of Scottish Government funds. The division delivers a range of transactional services including payments, debt management and banking services, as well as specialist VAT and Construction Industry Scheme services and advice to directorates across the Scottish Government and a wide range of other agencies and bodies.

FOD is responsible for generating around £45bn of payments to the private, third and public sectors each year. The division also manages the Scottish Consolidated Fund through which the Scottish Government funds the spending plans approved by the Scottish Parliament in the annual Budget Act.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Financial Operations, the Deputy Head of Financial Operations has direct line management responsibility for three branch heads delivering the above functions (Accounts Payable and Vendor Maintenance, VAT and Construction Industry Scheme, and Treasury and Banking), as well as the division’s Business Manager. The post plays a key role in ensuring the delivery of business as usual and transformation activities in relation to critical finance functions of government, as well as providing senior leadership to the division and developing relations with key stakeholders.

This includes ensuring the effective delivery and resilience of vital services, including Purchase to Pay, Order to Cash, Cash Management, Banking and VAT, and working with internal and external stakeholders to deliver continuous improvement to our operating model and processes.

• Support the Deputy Director with strategic and operational planning to deliver and improve critical financial services across the Scottish Government and 30 customer bodies. Empower teams across the division to deliver specialist financial operations in line with relevant policies and processes, facilitating internal and external audit processes, and managing contract and supplier relationships where appropriate.
• Line manage the Division’s three Branch Heads, overseeing approximately 40 staff, and the divisional Business Manager.
• Collaborate with key partners in Corporate Operations Directorate and other corporate directorates to continuously improve and develop Oracle Cloud and related financial systems, managing divisional responsibilities and providing subject matter expertise in relation to the Scottish Government’s Purchase to Pay, Order to Cash, Cash Management and related finance processes, with a clear focus on adopting best practice, enhancing data, and streamlining processes.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop and enhance FOD’s business service offering, aligning with the Oracle Cloud operating model and establishing strong governance to support high standards of service delivery.
• Act as a key liaison between FMD, Corporate Operations and other delivery partners and represent Finance interests on relevant Oracle and shared services governance bodies, championing and enabling high quality financial processes, controls and data across the finance operating model.
• Embed and support a learning and continuous improvement culture throughout the division to ensure staff have the necessary skills and are developed and motivated to drive strong service delivery and adopt new ways of working.
• Take a lead role in divisional communications and engagement across the directorate, DG families, and relevant agencies, maintaining and enhancing strong relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders and suppliers across core SG and 30 customer bodies.
• Champion divisional resilience and robust delivery arrangements, including in relation to resourcing the divisional finance operating model, business continuity planning, workforce planning, performance data and insights, and security and anti-fraud measures, working proactively to manage and resolve issues and risks.
• As a key member of the FOD Senior Management Team, contribute to strategic leadership of the division, providing clear direction to teams, managing resource and developing capability, and delivering a supportive culture focused on excellent customer service.