To provide further insight into the role of the Board and the opportunities ahead for the Scottish Funding Council, you may wish to watch a short video message from the Chair, Professor Cara Aitchison.
The Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education seeks to appoint up to five highly experienced and passionate leaders to the Board of the Scottish Funding Council. In doing so, the Minister recognises the wealth of expertise and knowledge across all communities and sectors and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is investing in Scotland’s future. If you have a desire to make a significant difference in the lives of learners and are passionate about driving transformative change and improvement across our post-school education and skills sector, providing leadership, guidance and assurance across SFC and the sector, you are encouraged to apply for this important role.
The Scottish Funding Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) responsible to Scottish Ministers for developing and sustaining a world-leading system of tertiary education, research, innovation and skills. This system is key to delivering the economic transformation that will improve the lives of individuals and communities across Scotland while also enhancing our global reach and impact.
Scotland is home to one of the world’s most respected and advanced post-school education sectors with over half a million learners participating in diverse programmes across our 43 colleges and universities every year.
Following the passage of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Act, in April next year, responsibility for providing national training programmes, including apprenticeships, will move from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to SFC. The Act also confers new duties on SFC and makes changes to its governance.
With the Scottish Government having embarked upon a multi-year transformational journey of the post-school education and skills landscape, this is a challenging and rewarding time to join SFC. These appointments are not about maintaining ‘business as usual’ and you will play a leading role in driving change and transformation across SFC, as it works with institutions, training providers and the business community to deliver for learners.
The role of the Board is to provide leadership, direction, support and guidance and ensure the SFC delivers, and is committed to delivering, its functions effectively and efficiently and in accordance with the aims, policies and priorities of the Scottish Ministers.
As a member of the SFC Board, you will play a leading role in ensuring SFC supports Scottish Ministers’ reform priorities, and that change is promoted positively within the organisation and the post-school sector. You will play a role in leading SFC through a period of significant change, driving cultural change and transformation as SFC increases in size and takes on additional functions.
More information about the Scottish Funding Council can be found here
ROLE CRITERIA
Scottish Ministers welcome applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds who have the following skills/knowledge/experience:
At least one of the following priority criteria
Knowledge and experience of high-level financial stewardship in relation to organisations of scale and complexity.
Knowledge and experience of research and innovation, and its role in driving economic growth.
Knowledge and experience of business and industry in Scotland or across the UK and of developing and implementing sector change or transformation.
Knowledge and experience of apprenticeships and workplace learning.
Knowledge and experience of People and Culture transformation at senior leadership level.
Applicants must also provide evidence of the following essential criteria:
To find out more about being a Non-Executive Board Member and about the Scottish Funding Council please download the candidate information pack
The position is for 3 days per month and will be remunerated at £377.65 for every day of not less than 7.5 hours devoted to performing your functions (as required or requested by the Board) on a pro rata basis, up to a maximum total fee of £13,595.40 per financial year.
Remuneration is non-pensionable and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
LOCATION
Board and Committee meetings are held in person and via Microsoft Teams. Some Board meetings are held at institutions across Scotland.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held week commencing 6 July 2026 and will be conducted virtually over Microsoft Teams.
It is unlikely that we will be able to offer alternative interview dates.
HOW TO APPLY
Completed applications must be received on or before 12.00 noon on Monday 22 June 2026.
Please note that we recommend you follow the ‘How to Apply’ section of the candidate information pack as you complete your application.
If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the appointments process or if require further support with your application, please contact the Public Appointments Team by email at public.appointments@gov.scot
FAQ’s about the application process is here: Public Appointments - Frequently Asked Questions
Guidance to support applicants is here: Public appointments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Find out more about public appointments here: Public appointments - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
If you experience any difficulties, please contact the Public Appointments Team by email at Public.appointments@gov.scot
The devolved government for Scotland is responsible for matters that are devolved from Westminster. Areas of responsibility include the economy, health, education, justice, rural affairs, environment, and transport.
