Business Services Director

Salary: Up to £80,000 annually, dependent on experience 
Annual Leave entitlement: 25 days (plus 10 bank holidays) 
Working hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent contract
Location: Ratho, Edinburgh / Hybrid-working

Closing date for applications: 3 November 2025 at 17:00

In person interviews for this role are to be confirmed.

Prior to any employment commencing with Scotland Food & Drink you will be asked to provide documents to demonstrate your right to work in the UK.

To view our Candidate Brochure please click here.

JOB SUMMARY

Scotland Food & Drink is seeking an experienced Director of Business Services, to support the ongoing success of the organisation and lead an ongoing programme of improving effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance. This senior leadership role reports to the CEO and is a key member of the Executive Team. The successful candidate will have a strong focus on Finance while providing strategic oversight of the HR and IT functions, ensuring that these departments operate effectively in support of the organisation’s objectives.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Your day-to-day responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Take ownership of and be accountable for all financial and operational business management matters.
• Develop and deliver the business’s strategic finance plan, including treasury management and best practices in budgeting, reporting and governance
• Ensure the preparation of, and lead the project team responsible for the improvement of management accounts and business performance reports.
• Lead the Finance and Audit Committee and attend Board meetings as required.
• Review business management processes, procedures, and systems, implementing improvements to maximise efficiency.
• Ensure appropriate levels of delegated authority are established and complied with.
• Manage regulatory financial requirements, including audits and statutory accounting.
• Represent the organisation in financial matters with key stakeholders, including Scottish Government, Enterprise Agencies, and regulators.
• Provide strategic oversight of the HR department, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives while maintaining compliance, efficiency, and effectiveness without involvement in day-to-day management.
• Provide strategic oversight of the IT department, ensuring operations are efficient, reliable, and aligned with organisational goals to effectively support business objectives without involvement in day-to-day management.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that align with the organisation’s overall goals.
• Develop, monitor and report on KPIs to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness across Finance, HR, and IT.
• Lead major cross-functional change projects and initiatives as required, leading the organisational PMO
• Oversee organisational compliance and operational risk management, including business continuity planning.
• Manage and develop the Finance, HR & IT teams, ensuring appropriate training, mentorship, and development opportunities.
• Foster collaboration across departments and build strong internal relationships. 

ABOUT YOU

• Strong financial management and accounting skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Expertise in financial systems, process improvement, and risk management.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to develop and implement operational plans and initiatives.
• Leadership and team management, including mentoring and coaching senior managers.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with attention to detail.
• Ability to drive organisational change and improve operational efficiency through structured programme management
• Knowledge of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.
  Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present complex information clearly.
• Collaborative and able to work across multiple functions and departments.

EXPERIENCE

• Proven track record in senior finance roles, with at least 3 years of post-qualification experience.
• Experience in strategic oversight of HR and IT functions (even if day-to-day management is delegated).
• Experience in preparing statutory accounts and managing audits.
• Experience in leading and overseeing finance functions at a senior/executive level.
• Experience in implementing business change and improvement programmes, with respect to systems, processes and culture
• Experience in risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working with boards, committees, or senior stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Fully certified accountant (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW).
• Degree-level education in accounting, finance, business, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Professional development in leadership, operational management, or organisational development is an advantage.

BEHAVIOURS

• Strategic Leadership: Thinks ahead, sets clear direction, and aligns operational activities with organisational goals. A role-model for change who sells the benefits of continuous improvement.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with colleagues across departments, fostering teamwork and strong internal relationships.
• Decisive: Makes well-informed decisions confidently, balancing risk and opportunity.
  Influential and Persuasive: Can engage and influence senior stakeholders, Board members, and external partners.
• Results-Oriented: Focuses on achieving objectives and delivering high-quality outcomes efficiently.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Able to manage change, handle ambiguity, and perform under pressure.
• Integrity and Professionalism: Maintains high ethical standards, ensuring compliance, transparency, and accountability.
• People-Focused: Supports, develops, and motivates teams while promoting a positive organisational culture.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Seeks opportunities to optimise processes, systems, and organisational effectiveness.
• Commercial Awareness: Understands the financial, operational, and strategic implications of decisions.

ABOUT SCOTLAND FOOD & DRINK

Scotland Food & Drink is the industry leadership organisation tasked with delivering the industry strategy and driving responsible growth for the sector. We are also a membership organisation with over 400+ companies at our heart. 

We empower Scotland's food and drink businesses to achieve their full potential to drive our economy, sustain our environment, and support our communities.  

Working with us gives you an opportunity to be part of one of the most exciting and innovative industries in Scotland.

Our culture and our people are core to delivering our diverse and collaborative work . We have work/life balance as one of our core values and a comprehensive benefits package including, a group pension plan, 35 days annual leave (in addition to your birthday off), enhanced maternity & paternity benefits, a health care cash plan, a flexible working policy, an electric vehicle scheme, a cycle to work scheme, a life assurance scheme, professional study & training assistance, an employee assistance programme and wellness events.

There is also opportunities to socialise and attend industry events and dinners. 

We believe working with us should be a hugely positive experience, our core values are:
Ambition - We pursue excellence with unwavering ambition.
Collaboration - We believe in the power of working together.
Innovation - We embrace a culture of continuous improvement and creativity.
Celebration - We believe in recognising and celebrating achievements.
Authenticity - We are committed to honesty, transparency, and integrity.
Balance - We believe in finding balance between work and the rest of our lives.

We are also an equal opportunity employer, and we recognise that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive. We support candidates with reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know when applying if you will require any additional support.  

APPLY NOW

Please send CV and covering letter, or any questions you have regarding the role to: careers@foodanddrink.scot with the title of the job you are applying for in the subject line.