Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Lead

JOB PURPOSE

The Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Lead is the specialist lead, providing the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland with a professional, efficient and effective Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Function.

Leading a team of qualified and experienced Finance Managers the post has specific responsibility for Financial Planning & Strategy, Financial Modelling, Annual Budgeting, Corporate Reporting and Advisory and Technical Support.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. As a member of the Finance Senior Management Team and in support of the Chief Financial Officer's strategy for the Finance Function, develop and implement service plans to set direction, lead change and secure service improvement on a continuous basis.

2. Develop and lead a function that establishes a ‘Financial Planning & Budgeting’ centre of excellence for the department and wider organisation, promoting accountable financial management and embedding a culture of strong and effective engagement with budget holders. Ensure performance contributes to the strategic aims of the Finance Service and the wider organisation.

3. Lead strong and effective engagement with the Police Scotland Executive, Scottish Police Authority, Scottish Government and other stakeholders as appropriate in the development and agreement of all Strategic Financial Plans.

4. Lead the design, establishment and development of a Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Function comprising:

a. The development of the organisation’s Financial Planning Strategy and the delivery of the Annual, Medium and Long-Term Financial Plans ensuring clear linkage to wider strategic plans and the external political landscape;

b. The corporate reporting function in line with governance arrangements, preparing quality monthly management accounts and financial reports to Corporate Finance & Investment Board, SPA Finance Committee and SPA Board, ensuring all requirements are delivered in a timely manner and to an appropriate standard;

c. The development of the Devolved Budgeting framework, ensuring that effective resource allocation models are in place, securing appropriate accountability from budget holders;

d. Develop and implement financial management policies that underpin the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation, reviewing compliance with policy as appropriate;

e. Deliver the annual budgeting process for Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority, developing a robust framework of policy, procedure and process that ensures financial balance over the planning period;

f. Lead the strategic approach to developing plans for savings and efficiencies, assessing and monitoring effectiveness in delivering both strategic objectives and key financial planning objectives, ensuring that the organisation manages within available resource;

g. Ensure that all financial management plans and reports present relevant, objective and reliable financial analysis and advice that clearly sets out financial implications and risks as appropriate;

h. Develop, implement and report on relevant performance indicators in order to assess the organisation’s performance.

5. Ensure appropriate continuous professional development, keeping abreast of all internal, legislative and best practice developments, with particular focus on those impacting financial planning and budgeting. Ensure appropriate interpretation and implementation of required changes in a timely manner.

6. Develop and Lead a Continuous Improvement Plan for the Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Function taking into account changing demands and technology to leverage innovative, risk-aware solutions to drive change towards a continually re-assessed Best Practice Operating Model for the function its customers and other stakeholders.

7. Establish and implement robust month end routines, ensuring that quality working papers are maintained in support of all reports with supporting documentation and appropriate clear analysis for the purposes of forming an audit trail. Ensure all policies, plans and processes are appropriately documented and maintained.

8. As a figurehead for the Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Function with both internal and external stakeholders, pro-actively lead and develop the Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Function to become a known Centre of Excellence within the wider organisation.

9. Lead a strong and accountable performance management culture within Finance that places emphasis on the economic, efficient and effective use of public money.

10. Lead a focus on successful outcomes and delivery of planned objectives by:

i. Leading a team of professionally qualified and experienced staff, setting objectives and agreeing plans for technical and personal development as part of the personal development framework.

j. Leading and developing a continuous Strategic Financial Planning & Budgeting Training Plan that will meet the ongoing and changing requirements of the Finance Service, including legislative compliance, and updates and changes to software, processes and procedures.

k. Leading by example in internal and external communications and mentoring staff in effective service delivery.

l. Ensuring effective resourcing of the functional area in line with agreed policies and in partnership with the People & Development Directorate.

11. Lead on the identification, monitoring and reporting of relevant risks and work with colleagues across the organisation (as appropriate) to mitigate those risks.

12. Initiate, lead, monitor and manage improvement and change projects as appropriate to the role.

13. Be accountable for the implementation and monitoring of all applicable Standard Operating Practices and Policies including Health, Safety & Wellbeing policies

14. Continually re-evaluate priorities and work in an agile manner to address emerging requirements as applicable.

The above list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Accordingly, there may be a requirement to undertake additional duties, consistent with the grade of the post, as directed by management.