Director of Corporate Services and Investment

The Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) is Scotland’s infrastructure centre of expertise. Established by the Scottish Government in 2008, we provide independent expert advice and work across the public and private sectors to improve the strategy, investment, delivery and management of Scotland’s infrastructure.

SFT’s remit spans infrastructure sectors and the whole asset lifecycle, from long-term strategy and investment through project and programme delivery to the management, repurposing and disposal of existing assets. We work across economic and social infrastructure, including energy, digital connectivity, education, healthcare, housing and the wider public estate.

Following the announced retirement of Caroline Whyteside, SFT is seeking to appoint its next Director of Corporate Services and Investments. This is a broad and influential leadership role, reporting to the Chief Executive and working as a key member of the Leadership Team to help shape SFT’s strategy, organisational performance and future development, providing strategic financial advice and maintaining SFT’s financial resilience in a challenging public spending environment. The breadth and seniority of the role are comparable to a Chief Financial Officer appointment.

The remit encompasses Finance, Investments, HR, IT, Communications, Legal and Procurement, and Office and Business Support. Alongside leading SFT’s financial planning, management and corporate governance, there is a clear opportunity to further develop the Corporate Services model, making effective use of technology, automation and shared services to improve efficiency and effectiveness across SFT.

The Investments portfolio provides an important additional dimension, with responsibility for investment governance, committees and reporting, shareholder approvals, valuations and potentially the management of future investment cycles. The successful candidate will therefore bring strong financial and commercial judgement and be comfortable operating across finance, investment and corporate services.

Given the breadth of the remit, this opportunity will appeal to an experienced finance and corporate leader who enjoys contributing beyond their functional specialism. SFT is a relatively small and agile organisation, and the successful candidate will combine strategic capability with a practical approach and willingness to remain close to the work.

Relevant experience could have been gained within the public or private sectors, including financial services. Of particular importance will be the ability to provide credible financial leadership, lead a diverse range of professional functions and contribute effectively within a complex, stakeholder-rich and purpose-led environment.

• Participate as a member of SFT’s leadership Team in providing corporate governance, devising and implementing strategy and ensuring the successful delivery of corporate and business plans.

• Provide inspirational leadership and strategic direction to the corporate teams in SFT, encompassing Finance, HR, Communications, IT, Office and Business Support, Legal and Procurement, to ensure high performance in the delivery of corporate requirements in line with SFT’s culture, business objectives and public sector duties.

• Provide oversight of SFT’s investment portfolio, supporting governance, financial best practice and Board reporting for a range of innovative investment vehicles supporting Scottish infrastructure and public services

• Lead the finance function including close liaison with the Group Audit Committee; overseeing of annual accounts for SFT and its investment subsidiary, the Public Services Reform Act (PSRA) Report and other public reporting requirements.

• Ensure an effective financial control environment with appropriate management and decision-making information, including all required approval processes in line with delegated authorities

• Lead the annual budget setting and medium-term financial planning process, working with the rest of the Leadership team and workstreams to put in place appropriate funding and spending strategies

• Regularly prepare and/or review papers and reports for the SFT and SFTi Boards, audit committee and leadership team meetings, to tight deadlines

• Champion the modernisation of corporate services delivery through systems, automation, AI, and exploration / implementation of relevant shared services ensuring SFT remains an efficient, agile and forward-looking organisation

• Oversee the production of the annual SFT Impact Reporting by co-ordinating input from corporate and workstream staff to ensure SFT’s impacts are captured and communicated in a comprehensive and engaging way.

• Build and maintain excellent relationships with SFT’s sponsor team in Scottish Government, principally regarding funding and budget commissions.
• Advise and support the Chief Executive as Accountable Officer in respect of their duties under the Scottish Public Finance Manual and other relevant guidance.

Essential 

• Professional Certification such as CA, ACA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA (or equivalent), with understanding and experience of preparing annual statutory accounts and budget setting and monitoring processes
• Demonstrable experience of providing clear, balanced and credible advice to a Board, Audit Committee and/or Leadership Team on financial stewardship, governance and organisational performance
• Understanding of the structure of the Scottish or UK public sector organisational landscape and accountabilities
• Experience providing strategic financial leadership within an organisation or significant division / business area
• Strong track record of working and taking a leading role in multidisciplinary corporate functions within a small to medium-sized organisation, working effectively across specialist professional teams
• Demonstrable ability in building and maintaining excellent working relationships internally and externally
• Demonstrable experience of working both operationally and strategically in smaller organisations
• Experience of delivering change within corporate functions

Desirable 

• Experience of preparing accounts in both public and private sector
• Experience of oversight of investment management functions and accounting for investments
• Experience as a member of a senior management/leadership team
• Experience of a leading role within a small/medium sized organisation gained in both the public and private sectors.
• Knowledge of the key agendas for public bodies and their corporate functions in the context of the Scottish Public Services Reform programme

Personal Attributes 

• Demonstrates Values of SFT
• Excellent influencing skills at all levels of an organisation
• Strong attention to detail, with a high degree of accuracy
• Team player
• Ability to constructively challenge a range of stakeholders