Senior Finance Officer in Inverness

Salary: £38,791 - £44,311

Location: Inverness (hybrid working may be considered). Regular, weekly attendance in our Inverness office is required for this role, and successful applicants must be based in Scotland.

Hours: 35 per week (with flexible working available)

Contract: Fixed-term maternity cover 9 months, with the possibility of extending up to 12 months

Reports to: Finance & Business System Lead

Context

We are the Scottish Land Commission. We believe that land and how we use it is at the very heart of a thriving nation. Our role is to provide leadership and advice in reforming the ownership and use of land in Scotland. We advise Scottish Government, Parliament and others on an ongoing programme of reforms to law and policy and we provide leadership for changes in culture and practice. The Scottish Land Commission is here to provide leadership and fresh thinking, underpinned by sound research, analysis and advice.

Our forthcoming Strategic Plan sets a focus for our work on people, power and prosperity:

• Enabling people to participate in and influence decision about land;
• Diversifying the power and control in land ownership and governance;
• Using the value and benefits of land to create economic prosperity.

For financial year 2026-27 the commission has an allocated budget of 1.81 million which is made up of Grant in aid from Scottish Government which is agreed annually. We also have varying levels of ad hoc other income depending on research and staffing opportunities.

Purpose of role

Reporting to the Finance and Business System Lead, you will play a key role in delivering financial reporting, ensuring legal compliance and oversight in all financial processes such as variance analysis, cost improvement identification and partnering with various departments in the organisation for enhanced forecasting. You will help guide strategic financial planning and the ideal candidate will have experience in finance, proven analytical skills, and experience of working within public sector to help drive digital transformation for more data driven insights for the Commission.

Key duties of the role

• Manage day-to-day finance tasks, including processing invoices, purchases and banking to help maintain monthly budget reporting ensuring accurate financial reporting in line with best practice for consideration by management and board members.
• Main point of contact for budget and invoice queries, providing expert guidance and advice as and when required.
• Make sure financial information is accurate, recorded properly and follows agreed processes.
• Support budget holders with financial planning and scenario modelling. Provide clear and timely advice on income and expenditure for management team and board to ensure effective financial management and oversight.
• Work with budget holders to monitor budgets and highlight any emerging risks.
• Support the assessment of business cases by analysing financial and non-financial information and preparing summaries for decision-making.
• Help maintain and improve finance systems and processes to ensure good governance and efficient information flow.
• Use internal systems (SharePoint, finance software etc.) to store information securely and accurately.
• Ensure financial procedures follow internal policies and relevant guidance (e.g., SPFM and FREM), escalating issues where needed.
• Support preparation of information for audit and ensure month-end tasks are completed on time.
• Work with teams to help them understand the financial impact of their projects.
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues who are less familiar with financial processes.
• Promote good financial management and help embed a culture of good financial responsibility.

Professional development

• Take a proactive approach to own professional development by maintaining an active interest in relevant developments in work and committing to continuing professional development.
• Support the professional development of colleagues by providing constructive feedback where appropriate.
• Seek and share opportunities to be creative and realise continuous improvement in our delivery and impact of our work.
• Support the development of the Land Commission by contributing actively to organisational planning processes such as quarterly milestones, annual business plan and three-year strategic plan.
• Contribute to and support organisational development through behaviours and ways of working that bring our organisational values to life.

Key contacts

• Internal: Colleagues from across the Commission including the Board, Policy, Good Practice and Corporate Services.
• External: Relevant Scottish Government Teams, Outsourced Departments, Auditors, Suppliers.