Head of DGE Finance Unit

This is an Expression of Interest (EOI) opportunity, available on a lateral move basis only. Applications are open to Core Scottish Government employees only. 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.

The Economic Growth, Delivery and Finance Division (EGDF) sits at the centre of DG Economy, driving forward the Scottish Government’s 10‑year National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET). The Division leads on the economy sections of flagship government publications, including the annual Programme for Government. It plays a pivotal role in negotiating, managing and allocating the Deputy First Minister’s Economy and Gaelic Portfolio budget. It also ensures the effective stewardship of DGE’s in‑year finances—an essential function in a dynamic financial landscape.

As Head of the DGE Finance Unit, you will be at the core of this work. You will ensure that Scotland’s Economy and Gaelic portfolio budgets are balanced, aligned to government priorities, and capable of delivering the outcomes Ministers expect. Leading a team of eight finance professionals, you will set direction, develop capability, and champion a culture of clarity, pace and high performance. You will work closely with senior leaders across DG Economy and the wider organisation, build strong relationships with delivery partners and stakeholders, and have regular direct engagement with Ministers.

You will play a strategic role in shaping the Budget for the Deputy First Minister’s (DFM) portfolio, providing clear, confident and evidence‑based advice to inform decisions at the highest level. You will ensure your unit is firmly “across the numbers”, enabling fast, accurate and insight‑driven financial planning that reflects both economic priorities and the wider needs of government. And you will support the clear external presentation of the Budget, including participating in Economy and Fair Work Committee scrutiny sessions - an opportunity to represent your work and the portfolio in a public and influential forum.

You will play a key role to support financial governance, supporting DG Economy by providing clear analysis, highlighting risks, and advising on budgets, workforce implications and controls, enabling confident, informed decisions and strong corporate accountability. This is a varied, visible and rewarding leadership role - ideal for a finance professional who enjoys working at pace, excels at building trust and influence, and wants to help shape Scotland’s economic future.

• Leading the Budget planning and negotiation process for the DFM, Economy and Gaelic (DFMEG) portfolio budget, to ensure positive outcomes.
• Making extensive use of levers (ministers, SpAds, Cabinet processes, etc) to make the case for the portfolio budget with Exchequer and Finance colleagues.
• Developing advice and guidance on resource, capital and financial transaction allocations for the DFMEG portfolio.
• Providing support to portfolio Ministers and senior officials during the Budget process, including at committee appearances.
• Collaborating and maintaining strong relationships with senior portfolio colleagues, Exchequer and CFO officials.
• Using these relationships to make the best possible case for funding support for economy portfolio objectives all-year around.
• Leading year-round work across DG Economy to ensure that spending is accurately forecasted, and that emerging pressures are managed appropriately and in line with those economy interests.
• Present a monthly Finance paper to DGE Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meeting.
• Overseeing the completion of end of year annual accounts, annual budget revision exercises (Autumn and Spring Budget Revision), Portfolio Path to Balance, completion of Medium-Term Financial Report (MTFR) and other finance commissions.
• People management of two C1 staff in the unit, and unit leadership of 8.

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

• Working with Ministers – Level 2 – Practitioner
• Finance – Level 3 - Expert

Strong strategic financial management skills and experience with a sound understanding of the Budget process is desirable but not essential.

• Making Effective Decisions – Level 4
• Seeing the Big Picture – Level 4
• Working Together – Level 4
• Delivering at Pace – Level 4

This is a permanent level transfer opportunity available to staff at substantive C2 grade. Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. 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. The team works in a hybrid way across sites, with attendance of at least one day per week in an office. Additional in-person attendance at key meetings and a monthly team anchor day, in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, may be required from time to time.

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Vacancies close at 23:59pm on Tuesday 2nd June. Informal discussion schedule tbc.

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.

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 to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

For more information on this post please contact marcus.mcphillips@gov.scot. Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.