Careers

Introduction from Clerk/Chief Executive David McGill

Our vision is to make a positive difference to the lives of the people of Scotland. A key priority for the Scottish Parliament is to ensure we’re continuing to meet the needs of MSPs, the Parliament and the public. We strive to deliver our services and facilities effectively and efficiently, always putting people at the centre of what we do.

The Director of Financial Resources is a member of the Senior Executive Team (SET) and provides advice to me in my function as Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

As we’re in the final year of our parliamentary Session, our Session 6 strategic plan will need to be replaced. The SET is currently developing our Session 7 strategy through what we have called our “Parliament of the Future” programme. This strategic planning process will identify future opportunities, challenges, and priorities for service delivery in the next parliamentary session.

The Parliament is a vibrant, fast-paced, and dynamic organisation supported by excellent staff dedicated to delivering our services. We have high levels of staff motivation and commitment, as well as an iconic working environment, making the Parliament an excellent place to work.

Welcome from Deputy Clerk/Deputy Chief Executive Michelle Hegarty

Working in the heart of democracy and where national change is debated and decided is exciting.

I have responsibility for shaping our strategic direction and ensuring all directorates are aligned on our long- and short-term strategic goals and ambitions. I have senior oversight of our business improvement and performance processes. Working with the Clerk/Chief Executive, I plan and manage the business of the Senior Executive Team, including ensuring the team performs effectively, achieving a culture where colleagues are motivated, developed and empowered to perform effectively.

The Director of Financial Resources will support me as a member of the Senior Executive Team (SET) and have specific professional responsibility for all advice and planning on strategic resourcing, alongside wider SET responsibilities. This role will also ensure there is effective financial governance and will provide advice to the Advisory Audit Board. 

It’s a visible organisational leadership role, and as Chief Financial Officer the role holder will be the steward of the Parliament’s finances.

We're looking for someone who can lead by example, instil confidence, collaborate, drive positive change, and thrive in an environment of challenge.

Come and join us!

About the role

Working in the heart of Scottish democracy, you’ll strategically lead the Financial Resources Directorate.

As Director of Financial Resources, you’ll be the executive team lead for activities and operations across a range of professions and functions.

Acting, under formal delegated authority, as Chief Financial Officer, you’ll ensure that advice is provided to the Clerk/Chief Executive in exercise of his function as Principal Accountable Officer for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body in accordance with section 16 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000.

This role has Directorate responsibility for the Finance, Allowances, Internal Audit, and Procurement Offices. You’ll sit on the Senior Executive Team (SET), which is chaired by the Clerk / Chief Executive and comprises the Deputy Clerk / Deputy Chief Executive and four Directors.

The SET has collective decision-making responsibility for strategic planning and resourcing, alongside strategic workforce, financial and operational planning and change management, putting people at the centre of how we deliver change. You’ll report to the Deputy Clerk / Deputy Chief Executive and will have full accountability for your agreed professional objectives and behaviours. 

As a member of SET, you’ll work alongside highly skilled, engaged, and committed leaders who are equally ambitious for the organisation and its staff. SET members have shared accountability for creating and shaping a vision for the future of the Parliament. You’ll be a strong advocate for our culture, role modelling our values and providing visible and inclusive leadership for the Parliament’s staff.

Key responsibilities

• Chief Financial Officer and steward of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s finances, accountable to the Clerk / Chief Executive, advising him directly under your delegations
• Ability to horizon-scan, reviewing financial forecasting for the medium and longer term, understanding our challenges within the status of current, medium term and future public finances
• Provide sound financial advice and recommendations to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body and Advisor to the Advisory Audit Board, in your role as Director of Financial Resources / Chief Financial Officer
• Experienced in the main leadership proficiencies across strategy, financial governance, public sector resourcing, and people leadership including change leadership and culture development
• Identify opportunities and lead by example to further a culture of collaboration between the Finance and Resilience Directorate and staff within other directorates, to maximise the efficiency and coherence of the service that MSPs receive
• Provide strategic advice, support, and constructive challenge to ensure priorities are agreed and delivered and that there is effective forecasting, risk management, business continuity planning and effective capacity planning, resourcing, and delivery

Benefits

Our benefits include:

• Hybrid working: from Holyrood, Edinburgh and from home
• Working pattern: This role is full time however we’re happy to talk about flexible working. We’re committed to supporting staff to achieve a healthy work-life balance
• Flexitime: To meet business and personal needs, we have a progressive flexible working hours arrangement in place
• Leave: 41.5 days (including public holidays)
• Pay progression: You’ll progress yearly until the top of the grade is reached
• Pension: Civil Service pension arrangements, with a generous employer contribution of 28.97% of annual salary

You can make a difference

From day one your experience, views and input will be sought and valued. You’ll have the opportunity to shape our organisational strategy, programmes, and services.

We’re committed to providing an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds and diverse thinking. Our culture is inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant. We want our colleagues to feel valued, respected, and engaged.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a Minority Ethnic background and Disabled candidates. All appointments will be made on merit.

We have a values-based culture of respect and inclusion embedded in our organisation, and everyone can make a difference. 

Apply for this job

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. All job applications are treated fairly, with respect and without bias.

This role is being managed by Livingston James. If you have a disability, please let the Livingston James team know if you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process.

Come and join us, apply now!

• For more information, email Kirsty McLardy: kirstymclardy@livingstonjames.com