Careers at Scottish Funding Council

Jobs at SFC

Dedicated to making Scotland the best place in the world to learn, to educate, to research and to innovate.

We invest around £2 billion every year, and our funding enables colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities for over half a million people. 

What drives us is our ambition to create and sustain world leading learning, research, and innovation. So, naturally, we have a clear focus on recruiting the best people and developing them throughout their career.

Click here to watch the SFC video

“Everyone at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is committed to funding, supporting and challenging colleges and universities to ensure tertiary education and research delivers for students, communities, and employers; for Scotland’s broader cultural life; for our place in the world and our contribution to global challenges like the climate emergency; and for economic prosperity and wellbeing. We all have an important part to play in making this happen.”

Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive Officer

Benefits

We work hard, but we also know you have a family, friends, hobbies, and a life outside the office. That’s why we offer a great benefits package, not just a competitive salary.

Flexi-time

Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi-time system is in operation.

Annual leave

Initial annual leave entitlement of 26.5 days pro-rata, Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 13 days pro-rata.

Hybrid working

A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home anywhere in the UK for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.

Annual pay review

Approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite.

Pension scheme

Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation-proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty.

Development

Support for continuous professional development: as a part of SFC, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive support for continuous learning and professional development.

Health and wellbeing

Support for health and wellbeing, through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.

Other benefits

We provide support to SFC employees with Volunteering Days. Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.

Current Opportunities

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Why choose to work for SFC?

We asked a number of our colleagues to share the reasons that they choose to work for SFC. Here is what they have said:

Erica - Access, Learning & Outcomes Directorate

What does your role involve?

'I lead a team of policy professionals who are in two broad areas of specialism, student interests and widening access as well as learning and quality. This involves leadership and management of the team as well as the policy; thinking strategically about how we develop these two areas separately and collectively. As a member of the SFC Senior Management Team I also contribute to the leadership of the directorate and organisation.'

Have you faced any additional challenges at work or required any reasonable adjustments to fulfil your role? How has the organisation met those needs and what has the impact been for you on a day-to-day basis?

I am mum and a carer for an elderly relative... both of which mean I can receive a curveball at the most unexpected times. When that has happened I've found my manager, team and the organisation to be very supportive, caring and flexible. More generally the hybrid approach to working has enabled me to pursue a role in an organisation I quite possibly wouldn't have been able to join had I needed to be in the office five days a week.

Jessica - Policy, Insights and Analytics Directorate

What do you find most rewarding about working here?

'Everyone here is absolutely lovely and really supportive, and as someone who has progressed through the organisation recently, I have felt very supported to be able to do that and to continue my career development as well. But also there is a budget for training, and access to civil service learning and I thought there were lots of opportunities for growth here and that's something that I find really rewarding about working here personally.'

Would you recommend our organisation as a place to work?

'Absolutely I would.
For, obviously, I'm sure there's selling points for all different levels, but for someone who is looking to grow their career, which is where I'm at, personally I think SFC is a wonderful place to do that. And I think because we are a smaller organisation, there's lots of opportunities to get involved in work that you might not do. I've had exposure here to opportunities that I probably wouldn't have had if I'd gone for a a larger ministry or organisation. '

Peter - Finance and Funding Directorate

What is your next career step, and what development are you currently undertaking?

'My next career step will be moving into my role as Assistant Director in the team I am in. In terms of development, this ranges from training on sector issues, technical accounting to developing soft skills. SFC has a really strong commitment to developing its people and that is a big part of what it makes a great place to work.'

Why do you choose to work for SFC?

'This is my second spell at SFC and I returned because I really find what SFC does to be interesting and vital. I am interested in helping to support what both SFC and the sectors deliver for Scotland.'

What do you find most rewarding about working here?

'I find the fact that SFC is a supportive learning environment with great and knowledgeable colleagues. I literally learn something new about SFC or the sectors every day and that keeps my work exciting, fulfilling and interesting.'

Stef - Access, Learning and Outcomes Directorate

What does your working week look like?

'It really can vary; if I have lots on online meetings then I’ll probably work from home most of the week. Some weeks we’ll have in-person team meetings, or training, so I’ll be in the office more. I undertake visits to institutions, so can be anywhere from Aberdeen to the Borders. There are also other events and conferences that I attend, so it really is a nice mix. '

What do you find most rewarding about working here?

'I really enjoy working with such a wide range of individuals, all with different skill sets and experiences. I love to learn new things, and also share my knowledge with others. I love working at this level across the sector as I can support colleges, universities and sector agencies in their work. '

Would you recommend our organisation as a place to work?

'I would recommend SFC as a place to work; I’ve been here two years and have learnt so much in a relatively short amount of time. I’ve been recognised for the skills and contributions I bring to the organisation, which is so important as I think most would agree that you want to feel valued for your hard work. I’ve found SFC to be very flexible and accommodating, which is important to me as I have young children, so I need an employer that recognises all that comes with that. '

Ewan - Policy, Insights and Analytics Directorate

Why do you chose to work for SFC?

'Partially because of the technical work, and also because of the culture and because it’s a role where I feel I can make a difference, particularly as a Dad of young children. I’m proud of the Scottish Education system and when the time comes when my kids might go to College or Uni, I would feel proud to say that in my role, I had some small effect on making that possible for them.'

What is your favourite work memory?

'I have a very varied background, starting off as a Technical Engineering Apprentice in the Aerospace industry over 15 years ago. I’ve studied college part-time, Uni part-time, and back to Uni via distance learning so that I could make the move from Aerospace Engineering to Data Engineering in 2021. I’m blessed with lots of different memories from different places, but certainly recently, my favourite has to be being promoted here at SFC. I was a Data Engineer for about a year prior to coming to SFC, and a Data Analyst for about 18 months prior to that. After a year here, I was promoted to Senior Data Engineer – typically not something that would be achieved in Data Engineering for 2-5 years… So, I’m very, very proud of that. I will also give an honourable mention to volunteering as a STEM ambassador, working in schools helping 4th and 5th year kids with engineering projects. That was very rewarding!'

Erica - Access, Learning & Outcomes Directorate

What does your role involve?

'I lead a team of policy professionals who are in two broad areas of specialism, student interests and widening access as well as learning and quality. This involves leadership and management of the team as well as the policy; thinking strategically about how we develop these two areas separately and collectively. As a member of the SFC Senior Management Team I also contribute to the leadership of the directorate and organisation.'

Have you faced any additional challenges at work or required any reasonable adjustments to fulfil your role? How has the organisation met those needs and what has the impact been for you on a day-to-day basis?

I am mum and a carer for an elderly relative... both of which mean I can receive a curveball at the most unexpected times. When that has happened I've found my manager, team and the organisation to be very supportive, caring and flexible. More generally the hybrid approach to working has enabled me to pursue a role in an organisation I quite possibly wouldn't have been able to join had I needed to be in the office five days a week.

Jessica - Policy, Insights and Analytics Directorate

What do you find most rewarding about working here?

'Everyone here is absolutely lovely and really supportive, and as someone who has progressed through the organisation recently, I have felt very supported to be able to do that and to continue my career development as well. But also there is a budget for training, and access to civil service learning and I thought there were lots of opportunities for growth here and that's something that I find really rewarding about working here personally.'

Would you recommend our organisation as a place to work?

'Absolutely I would.
For, obviously, I'm sure there's selling points for all different levels, but for someone who is looking to grow their career, which is where I'm at, personally I think SFC is a wonderful place to do that. And I think because we are a smaller organisation, there's lots of opportunities to get involved in work that you might not do. I've had exposure here to opportunities that I probably wouldn't have had if I'd gone for a a larger ministry or organisation. '

Peter - Finance and Funding Directorate

What is your next career step, and what development are you currently undertaking?

'My next career step will be moving into my role as Assistant Director in the team I am in. In terms of development, this ranges from training on sector issues, technical accounting to developing soft skills. SFC has a really strong commitment to developing its people and that is a big part of what it makes a great place to work.'

Why do you choose to work for SFC?

'This is my second spell at SFC and I returned because I really find what SFC does to be interesting and vital. I am interested in helping to support what both SFC and the sectors deliver for Scotland.'

What do you find most rewarding about working here?

'I find the fact that SFC is a supportive learning environment with great and knowledgeable colleagues. I literally learn something new about SFC or the sectors every day and that keeps my work exciting, fulfilling and interesting.'

Stef - Access, Learning and Outcomes Directorate

What does your working week look like?

'It really can vary; if I have lots on online meetings then I’ll probably work from home most of the week. Some weeks we’ll have in-person team meetings, or training, so I’ll be in the office more. I undertake visits to institutions, so can be anywhere from Aberdeen to the Borders. There are also other events and conferences that I attend, so it really is a nice mix. '

What do you find most rewarding about working here?

'I really enjoy working with such a wide range of individuals, all with different skill sets and experiences. I love to learn new things, and also share my knowledge with others. I love working at this level across the sector as I can support colleges, universities and sector agencies in their work. '

Would you recommend our organisation as a place to work?

'I would recommend SFC as a place to work; I’ve been here two years and have learnt so much in a relatively short amount of time. I’ve been recognised for the skills and contributions I bring to the organisation, which is so important as I think most would agree that you want to feel valued for your hard work. I’ve found SFC to be very flexible and accommodating, which is important to me as I have young children, so I need an employer that recognises all that comes with that. '

Ewan - Policy, Insights and Analytics Directorate

Why do you chose to work for SFC?

'Partially because of the technical work, and also because of the culture and because it’s a role where I feel I can make a difference, particularly as a Dad of young children. I’m proud of the Scottish Education system and when the time comes when my kids might go to College or Uni, I would feel proud to say that in my role, I had some small effect on making that possible for them.'

What is your favourite work memory?

'I have a very varied background, starting off as a Technical Engineering Apprentice in the Aerospace industry over 15 years ago. I’ve studied college part-time, Uni part-time, and back to Uni via distance learning so that I could make the move from Aerospace Engineering to Data Engineering in 2021. I’m blessed with lots of different memories from different places, but certainly recently, my favourite has to be being promoted here at SFC. I was a Data Engineer for about a year prior to coming to SFC, and a Data Analyst for about 18 months prior to that. After a year here, I was promoted to Senior Data Engineer – typically not something that would be achieved in Data Engineering for 2-5 years… So, I’m very, very proud of that. I will also give an honourable mention to volunteering as a STEM ambassador, working in schools helping 4th and 5th year kids with engineering projects. That was very rewarding!'

Erica - Access, Learning & Outcomes Directorate

What does your role involve?

'I lead a team of policy professionals who are in two broad areas of specialism, student interests and widening access as well as learning and quality. This involves leadership and management of the team as well as the policy; thinking strategically about how we develop these two areas separately and collectively. As a member of the SFC Senior Management Team I also contribute to the leadership of the directorate and organisation.'

Have you faced any additional challenges at work or required any reasonable adjustments to fulfil your role? How has the organisation met those needs and what has the impact been for you on a day-to-day basis?

I am mum and a carer for an elderly relative... both of which mean I can receive a curveball at the most unexpected times. When that has happened I've found my manager, team and the organisation to be very supportive, caring and flexible. More generally the hybrid approach to working has enabled me to pursue a role in an organisation I quite possibly wouldn't have been able to join had I needed to be in the office five days a week.

Partnerships

Please see below the organisations we are associated with.

Name	Domain	Expiration	Description
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LSW_WEB	jobs.sfc.ac.uk	As soon as browser window is closed	Allows our load balancer to send your specific traffic to the same backend server
LSW_WEB	app.pinpointhq.com	As soon as browser window is closed	Allows our load balancer to send your specific traffic to the same backend server
cc_cookie	jobs.sfc.ac.uk	Six months	Saves your decisions about these cookies so we don't need to ask every time

Name	Domain	Expiration	Description
ahoy_visitor	pinpointhq.com	Two years	We use an internal metrics collector to understand interactions with our website over time
ahoy_visit	pinpointhq.com	Four hours	We use an internal metrics collector to understand interactions with our website over time

Jobs at SFC

We invest around £2 billion every year, and our funding enables colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities for over half a million people.

Benefits

Flexi-time

Annual leave

Hybrid working

Annual pay review

Pension scheme

Development

Health and wellbeing

Other benefits

Current Opportunities

Why choose to work for SFC?

Jessica - Policy, Insights and Analytics Directorate

Partnerships

Happy to talk flexible working

Disability Confident

CS Recruitment Principles

Scottish credit and qualifications framework (SCQF)

Living Wage Employer

Carer Positive

Investors in People

We invest around £2 billion every year, and our funding enables colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities for over half a million people. 