Director, Finance & Corporate Services - Transport Scotland

Director, Finance & Corporate Services – Transport Scotland

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The Scottish Government

Location:
Glasgow

About The Job

Transport Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, and Scotland’s national transport agency. We focus our activities on delivering transport-driven National Outcomes within the National Performance Framework and the Programme for Government. Our purpose is to deliver the Scottish Government’s vision for transport, set out in the National Transport Strategy 2.

Our vision is outlined within the National Transport Strategy (NTS2) to have a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors. The vision is underpinned by four priorities:
Reduces Inequalities, Takes Climate Action, Helps Deliver Inclusive Economic Growth and Improves Our Health and Wellbeing.

Director, Finance & Corporate Services is a unique opportunity to join Transport Scotland’s Senior Management Team in a pivotal role that will shape the future of Scotland’s transport system. This high‑profile role leads the development and delivery of a finance vision and strategy for a £4 billion portfolio, ensuring alignment with Transport Scotland’s purpose and Scottish Government priorities. It ensures statutory responsibilities are met, financial decision‑making is robust, and services deliver value for money.

The role also oversees corporate services, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice across functions including HR, IT, information governance, communications, facilities, risk management and health and safety. The directorate comprises approximately 86 staff, including senior leaders.

• Shape and deliver financial strategy for a £4 bn transport portfolio, aligning with Transport Scotland’s vision and government priorities while addressing future risks and opportunities.
• Ensure strong governance and provide assurance to the Chief Executive and Ministers, ensuring statutory responsibilities, robust financial decision‑making, and value‑for‑money transport and TS corporate services.
• Lead strategic planning for capital investment and infrastructure, prioritising projects and programmes to support long‑term transport needs.
• Oversee governance and sponsorship arrangements for Transport Scotland and its sponsored bodies, embedding best practice and driving efficiency improvements aligned with the Public Service Reform Strategy.
• Direct financial and corporate services functions, including finance, HR, ICT, information governance, communications and facilities, ensuring compliance and high‑quality service delivery.
• Contribute at a corporate level to the TS Transformation Programme with a focus on our Workforce Strategy.
• Champion risk and audit assurance, maintaining strong financial controls, reporting systems and engagement with Audit Scotland, while supporting organisational resilience and transformation.
• Play an active role in supporting Transport Scotland’s response to major planned and unplanned events.

Applicants must demonstrate the professional experience, skills and behaviours required for this Senior Civil Service role. Evidence of behaviours at the level required for a Senior Civil Service position is essential.

• Qualified accountant and a member of a consultative accountancy body, with up‑to‑date CPD.
• Member of one of the following bodies:
  • Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland (ICAI)
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

• Strong track record of success as a financially and commercially astute finance professional in a senior finance leadership role, with extensive knowledge of UK accounting, financial reporting frameworks, and experience managing large public‑sector budgets (≥ £50 m) and leading…