Head of Finance (Agency) (5081)


Company:	Scottish Government
Salary:	£62,111 to £77,439 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Edinburgh, EH11 3XD
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 3 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	30 Sept 2026
Closing date:	18 Oct 2026

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Summary

Location - Saughton House, Edinburgh

Hours - 35 hours per week

Closing Date - 18th October 2026 at 23:55

Job ID - 5081

Employment Type - Permanent

Overview:

The Head of Finance (Agency) is accountable for leading SAAS Agency Finance, Procurement, Fraud and Recovery functions, ensuring effective financial stewardship, operational delivery, robust financial governance and high quality performance reporting to the SAAS Executive Team and Board. This includes overseeing and delivering the SAAS Annual Report and Accounts, all elements of the statutory audit and leading annual budget processes and in year budget management support for the Agency with a focus on ensuring value for money.

The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government, we help higher and further education students find the right information, support and funding. SAAS manages an operating budget of approximately £15million and administers approximately £1.5 billion of student funding on behalf of Scottish Government.

The Head of Finance (Agency) role carries significant responsibility for financial stewardship, governance, control and assurance across Finance, Procurement, Fraud and Recoveries, you will work closely with the Head of Finance (Programme) role.

Main Duties:

• Lead and manage a professional Finance function, creating an environment where colleagues develop their expertise, provide high-quality advice and deliver services that support effective organisational leadership.

• Champion continuous professional development, professional excellence and a culture of integrity, accountability and continuous improvement in systems and controls.

• Build trusted relationships with Scottish Government, auditors, regulators, oversight bodies and professional networks, recognising that effective financial stewardship depends upon collaboration, openness and constructive challenge.

• Provide high quality, professional technical accounting and budgeting advice, analysis and scrutiny of financial proposals to a range of stakeholders and contribute to future business strategies.

• Present complex financial information clearly both verbally and in writing to support organisational decision making, including providing advice on financial implications of policy developments within Scottish Government.

• Oversee the preparation and delivery of the Annual Report and Accounts and all associated tasks in accordance with the FReM and other accounting guidelines and regulations. Lead the statutory audit, engaging effectively with all aspects of the audit to deliver within agreed timeframes.

• Work with the Programme finance lead to provide a holistic, whole system approach to financial stewardship and continuous improvement of the Agency's financial management provision, ensuring robust financial controls, effective governance and sustainable financial planning support the delivery of organisational priorities.

Further Information:

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot.

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