Vice Principal - Finance and Corporate Services

Job Title

Vice Principal - Finance and Corporate Services

Post Holder

Accountable
To

Responsible
For

Principal & CEO

Finance, IT and Digital, Estates and Facilities, Marketing, Legal
and Compliance, Programme Management, Business and
Project Support

Department

Executive

Overall Purpose of Job

1.  Lead the development and implementation of the strategy for financial and

institutional sustainability for the College.

2.  Lead on programme and project management and development opportunities

which grow the business.

3.  Lead the development and implementation of the College’s strategies for

Estates, Sustainability and IT and Digital services

4.  Lead on compliance responsibilities including Data Protection, Freedom of

Information, Risk, Audit etc.

5.  Lead on College Estates development projects.
6.  Provide advice to the Regional Board on all aspects of functions within the remit

of the post.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Management and Planning

a.  Contribute to the development and implementation of the College’s Vision,

strategies and annual priorities.

b.  Attend meetings of the Regional Board and appropriate sub committees,

providing Executive leadership for Audit and Risk, and Finance and General
Purposes Committees.

c.  Represent the College externally dealing with funding bodies,

external/internal auditors and other agencies.

d.  Prepare and implement the College strategies for Estates, IT and Digital,

Sustainability and Finance.

e.  Act as a member of the College Executive Team with associated collective

responsibilities.

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2. Financial and Service Management and Planning

a.  Lead the continuing development of capital expenditure, budgeting and

forecasting policies, processes and procedures.

b.  Ensure that comprehensive and effective real time financial recording and

control systems are in place.

c.  Ensure financial systems and reporting is in line with the requirements of the

Scottish Funding Council and other funders.

d.  Ensure that management accounts and reports are provided to the Principal,
senior leaders and the Regional Board in a timely manner and recommend
action required.

e.  Ensure programme management and business and project support functions
are aligned to business need and resources prioritised to support strategic
College programmes such as sustainability, digital transformation and
delivery, and business improvement programmes.

f.  Ensure the College’s Marketing and Communications service is designed for

and delivered to meet business need, with impactful messaging for all
stakeholder groups.

g.  Prepare, in association with the Senior Leadership Team, rolling Business

Plans which reflect Strategic Priorities and ensure financial management and
monitoring are in place to secure their implementation.

h.  Develop medium to long term financial plans, identify the requirements for
savings plans / income delivery to achieve at least breakeven position

i.  Production of annual report and financial statements, reflecting the Colleges
activities for the year, and preparing the governance statement and in so
doing represent a positive and accurate assessment of the Colleges
performance.

j.  Review regularly the College’s Financial Regulations and present proposals

for amendment to the Regional Board as necessary.

3.  Corporate Services and Governance

a.  Lead Executive Team member for Audit and Risk and Finance & General

Purposes Committees

b.  Secure and maintain appropriate college insurances.
c.  Ensure that comprehensive programmes of internal audit are undertaken and

that all external audit requirements are met.

d.  Ensure the development, maintenance and implementation of the College’s

Risk Management and Business Continuity policies and procedures.

e.  Ensure effective emergency planning procedures are in place.
f.  Procure and manage appropriate legal representation for the College.
g.  Ensure compliance with statutory duties and reporting frameworks e.g. SFC,

Audit Scotland, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Community
Empowerment.

h.  Ensure effective reputational management via our Marketing and

Communications function.

i.  Ensure that the College adopts and complies with Health & Safety legislation.
j.  Represent the College on the Borders LGPS

4.  Leadership, development and improvement of organisational efficiency

a.  Manage the Finance Function ensuring the preparation of financial plans,

management of devolved budgets and regular reporting.

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b.  Ensure the College has sufficient cash available to meet short and long term
commitments and manage the safeguarding, investment and securing of
funds, including negotiation of facilities with banks.

c.  Ensure all returns and reports required by SFC and other bodies are accurate

and produced within prescribed time scales.

d.  Manage the College Estates Services ensuring that the facilities are fit for

purpose and are operated in an efficient and effective manner.

e.  Lead on the implementation of digital transformation.
f.  Manage the IT and Digital function ensuring an efficient and effective level of

service is provided to staff and learners.
g.  Maintain a fixed asset and property register.
h.  Operate the College Performance Review system to monitor and review
individuals and departmental performance targets and establish staff
development training requirements.

i.  Ensure compliance with College policies, procedures and the implementation

of decisions of the College.

j.  Represent the College at appropriate external networking events.
k.  Undertake any other duties appropriate for the efficient and effective
management of the College as directed by the Principal and CEO.

l.  Ensure that long term Asset Management plans are linked to and support the

College Strategy.

5.  Personal and Professional Development

a.  Adopt flexible working methods to meet the changing needs of the College
b.  Develop and maintain quality standards appropriate to the post
c.  Develop and maintain professional standards and expertise by undertaking

relevant professional development

The above mentioned duties and responsibilities represent the current
situation and may change over time to reflect the changing needs and
requirement of the College.

Signed …………………………………………………… Date ………………………
(Staff Member)

Signed ………………………………………………….. Date ………………………
(Line Manager)

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS

Member of CCAB Accounting body

Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline

Project Management Qualification

KNOWLEDGE

Current knowledge of financial reporting standards

Knowledge of Scottish public sector procurement legislation

Understanding of public sector / government accounting and regulatory
frameworks
Knowledge of Further Education finance in Scotland

EXPERIENCE

Experience of financial management in a large, multi-functional
organisation
Significant demonstrable post-qualification experience

Experience of financial reporting, including management and statutory
accounts production
Experience of leading teams and team building

Experience of leading projects across organisations

Experience of Further Education Sector

Experience of change management

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS &
ABILITIES
Excellent communication skills

Ability to collaborate across departments

Ability to influence stakeholders

Skilled networker

Team player

Self-motivated individual

Solutions focussed mind set

Independent and creative thinker

Reflective practitioner

Distributed and situational leadership style

Effective negotiation skills

OTHER
ABILITIES/QUALITIES
Resilient
Flexible
Able to work under pressure
Skilled report and bid writer

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Essential or
Desirable

E

D

D

Essential or
Desirable

E

D

D

D

Essential or
Desirable

E

E

E

E

E

D

D

Essential or
Desirable

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

E

Essential or
Desirable

E
E
E
E