Director of Corporate Services

Are you looking for a leadership role where you can showcase your experience managing multiple work streams at Executive level Are you looking to be part of an innovative Agency that supports the learning journey of Scottish domiciled students in Higher Education then we would love to hear from you!

Were looking for an experienced individual who has exposure to managing multiple work streams at Executive level. Youll have a track record of delivering high performance through successful management of people with a collective and collaborative approach. You will provide strategic leadership in the areas of People and Performance Facilities Finance Programme Management and ICT. You will play a key role in creating an effective central function ensuring the efficient delivery of compliance activities priorities and shared services fully aligned with the SAAS Corporate Strategy and strategic objectives. You will lead the Corporate Services Directorate to deliver centralised processes and governance supporting each business function across SAAS.

This post will lead across multiple delivery teams and requires strong leadership overseeing delivery at cost and within tight time standards. A key element will be building and maintaining positive relationships and perceptions of the agency and managing expectations as needed with all stakeholders. This role will require strong communication and engagement with a wide range of key internal and external stakeholders including Scottish Ministers Scottish Government a range of university and college delivery partners the Student Loans Company and other public and third sector organisations who together deliver post-schools student services in Scotland. Maintaining relationships with staff trade unions and suppliers is also vital.

We are seeking an impactful leader with a track record of achievement and an ethos of customer focus and continuous improvement to deliver high-quality progressive and efficient services.

As Director of Corporate Services you will report to the CEO the post holder will have an influential role to play in shaping implementing and delivering SAAS objectives and Ministerial directions across Scotland with Minimal supervision.

This is one of 3 senior leaders in SAAS each responsible for leading and directing a specific Directorate of SAAS (Corporate Services; Policy Strategy & Governance; Operations & Business Delivery and Digital) reporting directly to the Chief Executive of SAAS/accountable officer.

• You will be a senior leader and as a member of the Executive Team & SAAS Board you will provide leadership and oversee the day to day running of the organisation. You will work in collaboration with peers to deliver the business managing risks and resources effectively across the divisions.

• This post will have minimal supervision with direct accountability for the role and you will be required to interact directly with Ministers Senior SG Officials and Senior Stakeholders making executive decisions on behalf of the CEO and agency and have responsibility for leading key negotiations with Trades Unions.

• You will provide advice and recommendations to the Executive Team Board and ARAC as well as other governance boards & bodies on performance policy & operational matters or complex and contentious matters within the post holders service areas and areas of expertise.

• You will lead the provision of modern and business focused corporate support services SAAS & SG Annual Budgeting cycle and Financial Management Property Estates and Building Management Human Resources Organisational Development Programme Management Procurement and Contract Management.

• You will ensure that all financial reporting financial management and financial accounting systems are fit for purpose and compliant with all financial legislative and audit requirements. Conduct SAAS Annual Report and Accounts appropriate Scottish Government year-end activities and the Scottish Government Consolidation packs are completed to timetable.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Technical / Professional Skills:

• Financial Management
  

You can find out more about the Technical / Professional Skill(s) - ODP Competency framework Pathways

Qualifications:

This role seeks applications from candidates with qualifications at graduate or post graduate level or relevant professional recognition e g Qualified Accountant Chartered or Fellow in a professional body or relevant and extensive expertise in the role. Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable. If you are in any doubt please contact to discuss.

Behaviours:

Key behaviours (the most important from theCivil Service Behaviours framework).

You can find out more about Success ProfilesBehaviours Framework

• Leadership Level 4

• Managing a Quality Service Level 4

• Seeing the bigger picture Level 4

Experience

• Executive experience in the delivery of budget & business planning and allocation of resources to align with business and corporate objectives.
• Proven experience of developing and monitoring key measures of performance at a corporate level and understanding and navigating productivity in ambiguous and complex operational environments.
• Experience in operating at a Senior/Executive level preferably within the public sector with knowledge and experience of working within the guidelines set out in the FReM and SPFM.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with consideration of organisational reputation with experience of senior stakeholder engagement with a proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• You will have extensive project management experience in large scale or complex projects and have ideally worked in an environment that has led project teams.

How to apply

Apply online providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see ourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment this will consist of an interview and presentation.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 11th May however this may be subject to change.

About Us

SAAS is an executive agency of the Scottish Government and responsible for assessing and paying student awards for Scottish domiciled students in Higher Education throughout the UK. We administer budgets of around 1.4 billion each year making payments to both educational institutions and over 190000 students a year. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.

More information on SAAS can be found on our website

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education health the economy justice housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of theUK Civil Service working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more aboutwhat we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service we uphold theCivil Service Nationality Rules.

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. This role requires in person attendance of 6-8 days per month minimum. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for please contact us.

You will require to be office based six times over a period of 4 weeks.

Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks Identity Right to work Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on theUK Government website or read about the different levels of security checks in ourCandidate Guide.

Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment todiversityand how we offer and supportrecruitment adjustmentsfor anyone who needs them.

Further information
For further information on this vacancy please contact

Place of work

The post is based in Saughton line with SAAS hybrid working arrangements the postholder is expected to work a minimum of at least 6 days per month in the office with more regular attendance as required to support the leadership and strategic direction of the working patterns will be considered in line with business needs.

Hours of Work - 9am to 5pm

SAAS has separate arrangements from core Scottish Government for Public and Privilege holidays. SAAS office is fully closed between Christmas and New Year.