Finance Business Partner; Grade E3

Finance Business Partner (Grade E3)

Final date to receive applications: 11 January 2026

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Edinburgh - Hybrid

Compensation: £48,249 - £56,166 E3 Grade. Civil Service Pension. Flexible Working Hours. Hybrid Working.

Provide financial insight and support for Scotland’s colleges and universities. Act as a trusted finance partner within the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), offering expert advice and constructive challenge to institutions, SFC colleagues, and the Scottish Government. Monitor and report on the financial health and governance of colleges and universities to help deliver Scotland’s education and economic goals.

Virtual interviews will be held the week commencing 19 January 2026.

• Provide high-quality financial analysis and insight to assess the risks to the financial health (viability and long-term financial sustainability) of colleges and universities, to support decision‑making, robust financial planning and investment appraisals.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with colleges and universities and other stakeholders through a finance business partnering approach.
• Provide advice on financial governance and risk management, and on compliance with the SFC Financial Memorandum (FM), Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) and other relevant governance and financial frameworks.
• Prepare and present clear, concise internal and external financial advice, to institutions and to the Scottish Government, on specific matters within the remit of the role.
• Review and provide feedback on the financial strategies of colleges and universities to ensure that they are credible, deliver value for money and contribute to national outcomes.
• Review and consider colleges’ and universities’ requests for approvals under the SFC Financial Memorandum (FM), Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM)
• Represent SFC in discussions with external bodies, including Audit Scotland, UK funding bodies, and government departments.
• Ensure continuous professional development including maintaining up‑to‑date knowledge of technical accounting standards, public sector finance developments, and governance codes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the SFC, including taking the lead on developmental areas such as engaging with Universities’ Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) data.

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

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with relevant post‑qualification experience.
• Good understanding of financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, audit and financial and non‑financial organisational controls.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships; experienced in stakeholder engagement and influencing at senior levels.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial issues to non‑financial audiences.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with experience of preparing high‑quality reports for executive and Board committees.
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and advanced Excel skills.

Desirable:

• Experience in finance business partnering.
• Knowledge and understanding of tertiary education sector in Scotland.
• Relevant understanding of public sector budgeting, accounting, and governance frameworks.

• Normal full‑time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi‑time system is in operation.
• Annual leave entitlement of 30 days pro‑rata. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro‑rata.
• A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in‑person contact with colleagues.
• Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.
• Eligibil…