Deputy / Interim CEO

Fixed term contract of 12 months including a period acting as Interim CEO

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is seeking an exceptional senior leader to join the organisation at a pivotal moment of transformation.

Although formally appointed to the fixed term role of Deputy CEO, you will initially take on the role of Interim CEO while the organisation completes its recruitment for a permanent CEO.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally significant organisation responsible for investing around £2 billion annually in Scotland’s tertiary education, skills, research and innovation system, at a time of major legislative change and expansion in remit.

You will provide visible, confident leadership during a period of transition, ensuring continuity, stability and momentum across the organisation. You will work closely with the Board, Scottish Government and key stakeholders to maintain delivery of SFC’s priorities while supporting the onboarding of a permanent CEO.

You will then move into the newly created position of Deputy CEO for the remaining period for the contract, which will be 12 months in the first instance and may be reviewed by the incoming CEO with the potential to extend. You will play a central role in supporting the new leader by providing organisation-wide leadership during an unprecedented period of transformation.

SFC is pivotal to delivering the ambitions set out in the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Act 2026 (the ‘TET Act’), with new responsibilities and a significant increase in scale from 2027. In this role, you will provide leadership during a critical transition for the organisation while shaping the future of Scotland’s tertiary skills, research and innovation system. You will drive organisation-wide transformation and public service reform within SFC and operate with influence at the highest levels across government, education and industry to build the foundations of sector-wide transformation. You will be based at SFC’s office in the centre of Edinburgh and will be expected to engage with SFC’s key stakeholders from across Scotland, both in-person and online.

We are seeking a highly credible, strategic and experienced leader with a proven track record of executive-level leadership and delivery, alongside significant experience leading complex transformation and change. You will bring the ability to build trusted relationships across government and a wide range of stakeholders, underpinned by strong strategic, operational and financial leadership capability. A deep commitment to public service, inclusion and collaboration is essential.

Experience in tertiary education, research, innovation or service transformation would be an advantage.

We actively welcome applications from candidates interested in undertaking this role as a secondment opportunity, subject to agreement with your current employer. Candidates must be available to take up the role from early September 2026 at the latest and preferably sooner.

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Scottish Funding Council on this appointment. For further information about the role please click 'Apply', above, or email belinda.beck@saxbam.com. Applications should be received by noon on 08 July 2026.