At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and governance, driving improvements in public care services.
- Company: Care Inspectorate, ensuring high-quality care across Scotland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £100,878 and generous benefits package.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services and improve lives in Scotland.
- Qualifications: Degree level education and experience in public sector finance required.
Location: Flexible (any Care Inspectorate office)
Salary: £100,878
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 08:00 on Tuesday 8 September 2026
Interview date: We anticipate holding interviews on 21 September 2026 at our Dundee Office.
About us
We are a scrutiny body that supports improvement. That means we look at the quality of care in Scotland to ensure it meets high standards. We are responsible for providing assurance and protection for people who experience care services, their families, carers and the wider public. Our vision is that people across Scotland experience high-quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices.
Our values:
- Person-centred: we put people, empathy, compassion, and kindness at the heart of everything we do
- Respect: we value everyone's dignity and are respectful in everything we do
- Equity: we embrace diversity and nurture an inclusive environment where everyone is supported to achieve equal outcomes
- Integrity: we act impartially, fairly, and consistently, upholding transparency and accountability in all our actions
- Impact: we focus on making a positive impact for everyone experiencing care in Scotland whilst ensuring our work delivers the best value to the public
Work-life balance
Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, which enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a four-week period.
About the role
We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity to join the Care Inspectorate as our head of finance and corporate governance. In this influential leadership role, you will play a key part in shaping the organisation's future by driving significant and sustainable improvements in how we manage and maximise our financial resources. You will provide strategic leadership across finance and corporate governance, ensuring the Care Inspectorate continues to operate effectively, efficiently, and transparently as Scotland's independent scrutiny, assurance, and improvement body. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to public services, supporting our mission to ensure high-quality care and positive outcomes for people across Scotland. If you are passionate about making a difference, thrive on leading transformational change, and want to play a key role in an organisation that improves lives through better care, we would love to hear from you.
The role will provide strategic leadership for finance and corporate governance, ensuring effective delivery of financial reporting, planning and management, procurement, risk management, corporate governance, health and safety, facilities/environmental management, and business continuity. Support the executive director in driving organisational performance, resilience, continuous improvement, and best value.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the development and delivery of corporate strategies, objectives, and improvement plans across finance, governance, procurement, risk, health and safety, facilities management, and business continuity.
- Provide expert financial and strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Board, Executive Team, and senior leaders, supporting informed decision-making and organisational planning.
- Oversee financial stewardship, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, payroll, capital and revenue planning, audit, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead the development and implementation of governance, risk management, business continuity, and disaster recovery frameworks to support organisational resilience.
- Ensure effective procurement and contract management arrangements that deliver compliance, value for money, and best value principles.
- Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and high-quality service delivery across all functional areas.
- Lead, develop, and motivate multidisciplinary teams, promoting high standards of performance, inclusion, professional development, and wellbeing.
- Build strong relationships with Board members, auditors, regulators, Scottish Government, partner organisations, and other key stakeholders to support organisational objectives and change initiatives.
- Deputise for the Executive Director of Corporate and Customer Services as required.
About you
We are looking for a candidate educated to degree level (or equivalent). You will demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing your professional expertise through ongoing CPD. Ideally, you may also hold a Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) qualification and a relevant management or leadership qualification, such as an MBA or Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) accreditation.
Skills, knowledge and experience:
We are seeking an experienced and strategic finance leader with a strong track record of leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams and delivering organisational improvement. The successful candidate will bring:
- Senior-level experience in public sector finance, accounting, financial planning, governance, procurement, and audit.
- Proven ability to provide strategic leadership, translating long-term organisational goals into effective operational delivery and measurable outcomes.
- Expertise in corporate governance, risk management, procurement, contract governance, and ensuring the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to drive efficient and effective use of resources and support sustainable organisational performance.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build productive relationships at all levels internally and externally.
- Political awareness and the ability to navigate complex organisational environments with sound judgement and resilience.
- A track record of leading change, driving continuous improvement, and challenging traditional thinking in a constructive and innovative manner.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess complex information, solve problems, and make well-informed decisions.
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and corporate social responsibility, ensuring these principles are embedded within organisational practice.
- Strong digital and IT literacy, with experience of using technology and data to support effective communication, decision-making, and service delivery.
Key leadership attributes:
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- The ability to inspire, lead and develop professional teams, creating a clear sense of direction and purpose.
- Strong resource and budget management skills, delivering strategic objectives through effective planning and performance management.
- The capacity to influence and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve shared goals and improve outcomes.
- Resilience, credibility, and confidence in leading change and making difficult decisions in a complex environment.
- A commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient, and effective services that support organisational success.
Starting salary: The salary for this role is £100,878 per annum. We also offer a generous benefits package.
Next steps: If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact Recruitment. If you believe that your skills, experience and motivation make you a suitable candidate for this post, please complete our online application form by 08:00 on Tuesday 8 September 2026. We anticipate holding interviews on 21 September 2026 at our Dundee Office.
Head of Finance and Corporate Governance in Dundee employer: Care Inspectorate
The Care Inspectorate is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead in finance and corporate governance while making a meaningful impact on public services in Scotland. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, a hybrid working policy, and a culture that values empathy, respect, and continuous improvement, employees are supported in their professional growth and well-being. Join us in shaping the future of care services and enjoy a generous benefits package alongside a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance and Corporate Governance in Dundee
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance and Corporate Governance in Dundee
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Care Inspectorate.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Care Inspectorate. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care Inspectorate
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Care Inspectorate, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Care Inspectorate, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Care Inspectorate could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Care Inspectorate as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
