Are you able to lead a team through a period of change and continuous improvement?
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is looking for a confident and supportive Team Leader to manage and further develop the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) Invoicing Team. This role offers an opportunity to lead people, improve processes, and ensure suppliers are paid accurately and on time.
The DSA Invoicing Team sits within the wider Finance function and is responsible for processing around 60,000 invoices annually to approximately 600 suppliers through the Student Support System (STEPS). A significant proportion of this activity is automated, and the team must consistently meet timescales while ensuring compliance with policy and the effective use of public funds
You will provide day‑to‑day leadership to the team, oversee performance and quality, and work closely with colleagues across Finance, Operations, Policy, and Fraud to ensure DSA processes remain robust, efficient, and fit for purpose.
This post also plays a key role in supporting automation, responding to change, and contributing to wider system replacement and service improvement work, making it an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys balancing operational delivery with development and improvement.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 24 months.
Responsibilities
- KPI reporting for DSA.
- Line management of DSA invoicing team.
- Managing flex support for the team.
- Key contact for Suppliers, chairing meetings and owning actions.
- Process development for recovery of incorrect payments etc.
- Working with Fraud, Policy and Operations to enure DSA processes and policy are fit for purpose.
- QA for Senior Invoicing Caseworker and cover for wider team.
- Automation maintenance and improvements.
- Updating of nominee bank details in STEPS ensuring that information provided meets SG requirements and all request emails and relevant back up documents are saved in ERDM.
- Input into systems replacement work.
Qualifications
- Experience using IT packages confidently such as word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Previous experience with Accounts Payable. (Lead Criteria)
In the event of a high volume of applications, the lead criterion identified above may be used as an initial sift. In this event, only applications that clearly demonstrate meeting this criterion will proceed to full sift.
- Working together - Level 2
- Communication and influencing - Level 2
- Managing a quality service – Level 2
- Delivering at pace – Level 2
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
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 190,000 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 https://www.saas.gov.uk
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 the UK 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 about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern:
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. This role requires in person attendance of 6 days per month minimum with more regular attendance as required to support the leadership and strategic direction of the team. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. Flexible working patterns will be considered in line with business needs.
SAAS has separate arrangements from core Scottish Government for Public and Privilege holidays. SAAS office is fully closed between Christmas and New Year.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship not being offered
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
