Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure

The SFRS protects one of the largest geographical areas of any Fire and Rescue Service with over 350 Community Fire Stations and corporate locations across Scotland.  We manage a diverse range of risks, from urban cities to remote and rural island locations.  Our Corporate Services teams, including our People Directorate, provide the enabling, professional services that support front line delivery.

The Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure plays a key role as part of the SFRS’ Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), providing strategic leadership and direction to all Finance, Digital and Infrastructure activity for the Service. Alongside responsibility for their own portfolio, they will also have broader accountability for executive responsibilities as part of the SLT, as outlined in the Strategic Leadership responsibilities below.

The Director of Finance, Digital & Infrastructure will lead the financial, digital and asset management strategies of the organisation, ensuring robust stewardship of public funds, delivering effective procurement processes, and collaborating to develop and maintain the physical, digital and technology infrastructure needed for our people to do their jobs safely and well, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The Directorate consists of three functions of Finance and Procurement, Asset Management, and Digital and Technology Services.

The Directorate has a key role in supporting organisational change and service reform via a range of interventions that support the achievement of SFRS strategic objectives, and which underpin service delivery, partnership working, effectiveness and performance.

The Director will enable and support the SFRS to effectively deliver its services to the communities of Scotland and maintain its reputation as a high performing and financially sound organisation, that delivers best value, through:

• Setting the strategic direction for Finance, Digital & Infrastructure across SFRS, leading the development and implementation of service-wide related strategies.
• Providing leadership and strategic direction across all functional areas within the remit, enabling continuous improvement.
• Promoting strong financial management across the organisation.
• Providing effective financial and asset management planning, including leading development of the annual budget, capital programme and multi-year financial and asset plans.
• Leading on the development and implementation of the Digital, Data and Technology Strategy for the organisation.
• Developing, maintaining and ensuring compliance with effective policies and procedures across all areas within the post’s remit.
• Ensuring high-quality, effective financial, technology and asset services are provided to the organisation.
• Providing timely, accurate and insightful financial reporting to the Board, Strategic Leadership Team, Scottish Government and budget holders.
• Overseeing production of annual statutory accounts for each financial year.
• Leading the organisation’s risk management policy and procedures.
• Providing a safe and healthy working environment.
• Ensuring compliance will all relevant legislation.
• Championing diversity, equality and inclusion, ensuring all decision making, practices and policies promote a culture of fairness and opportunity.

• Ensuring that the SFRS improves the safety and wellbeing of people throughout Scotland, by working with others in the public, private, and third sectors, on prevention, protection, and emergency response.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to the Chief Officer (Accountable Officer), Deputy Chief Officers and Strategic Leadership Team on all professional areas within the post’s remit.
• Working with the Board and Strategic Leadership Team colleagues to horizon scan, develop innovative solutions and policies to deal with emerging issues and developments.
• Driving the delivery of the SFRS and Finance, Digital & Infrastructure directorate priorities whilst retaining the focus on internal and external engagement.
• Developing an efficient, effective national organisation which delivers Best Value.
• Liaising as appropriate with other organisations including internal and external auditors, other service authorities, government bodies, trade unions, and represent the CO and Service at appropriate external events and committees.
• Ensuring that the financial resources and strategic risks of the Service and of the Finance, Digital & Infrastructure directorate are managed effectively and efficiently.
• Providing leadership and vision during significant organisational change, ensuring the benefits are delivered and sustained.
• Leading, managing and directing the SFRS in the execution of the Board’s policies.
• Acting within a stringent corporate governance framework maintaining the highest standards of conduct appropriate at this level of the organisation.
• Leading/contributing effectively to multi-partner projects.
• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including Scottish Government, Parliament and Scotland’s local authorities.
• Understanding and actively supporting the role of the Scottish Government.
• Recognising the impact of Government and legislation on SFRS strategy and services.

Essential Criteria

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) or significant, relevant experience in a comparable role
• Professional CCAB accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, CA).
• Proven executive-level delivery in a large, complex organisation; leading a broad portfolio or more than one function at executive level.
• Proven senior leadership experience in financial planning and management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience of successfully leading major change programmes across multi-functional areas and achieving tangible improvements.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience of building relationships, advising, influencing and inspiring confidence with various internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Demonstrable strategic political awareness.

Desirable Criteria

• Public sector experience, particularly understanding of public sector financial management and governance requirements.
• Proven senior leadership experience in any of procurement, asset management or information technology.
• Experience of strategic planning and organisational change activity in a complex organisation.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker who can deliver tangible results.
• Collaborative leader who creates an inclusive environment of continuous improvement, inspiring trust and respect.
• Commitment to public service values.