Specialist – Grant Operations

Job title: Specialist – Grant Operations
Team: Grant Operations
Location: Any Scottish Enterprise hub, with flexible working options
Salary: £48,798
Hours: Full-time, with flexible working options
Status: Permanent
Vacancy ref: R00654
Closing date: 13 August 2025

Be part of building Scotland’s future

Scottish Enterprise is Scotland’s national and international economic development agency. We help businesses innovate, scale, and thrive – all with the aim of transforming Scotland’s economy.

Our work plays a central role in delivering the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) – creating high-value jobs, boosting productivity, and growing the country’s wealth.

We’re looking for a grant specialist to join the team that manages our large grant portfolio. These grants help companies with the physical side of growth – things like capital costs for buildings and equipment, and also innovation and research and development (R&D) based projects where salary and external sub-contract/consultancy costs are looked at. Our support tools include well-known mechanisms such as RSA grants and our Large R&D Grant.

You’ll also get involved in other programmes, including SMART:Scotland and shorter-term initiatives like the recent Green Hydrogen Call. Most grants start at around £150,000, with some reaching several million pounds.

As a specialist in grant operations, you’ll play an important role in helping companies access their funding – quickly, smoothly, and with full compliance with the terms of the contract being an important element. You’ll make sure payments are accurate and aligned with the conditions of each grant, while keeping things moving for the businesses we support.

It’s a great fit for someone who’s confident with numbers, has a sharp eye for detail, and enjoys solving problems in a way that works for everyone – for us, and our customers.

The role

Reporting to the grant operations team leader, you’ll manage large grants once they’ve been approved – covering everything from contracting and amendments to reviewing claims for payment.

That means checking whether eligible costs match what’s been agreed in the contract, assessing the financial viability of the companies we’re funding, and tracking their progress against key targets.

This role is similar to the Specialist – Appraisal role (R00653) currently being advertised. You're welcome to apply for both roles.

Responsibilities 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and applying innovative funding solutions through collaborative, strategic work across the organisation
• Helping deliver our economic transformation goals – particularly by administering new capital investment and innovation investment projects for both domestic and international companies
• Building and presenting strong business cases for funding, or new approaches in response to issues emerging as projects progress – clearly setting out the financial, strategic, commercial, delivery, and economic risks and rewards at each stage
• Assessing the financial viability of companies receiving grant funding – ensuring they have the resources not only to deliver their project, but to make the most of its results in the long term
• Preparing and issuing grant funding contracts passed on by the appraisal specialists
• Reviewing grant claims – checking eligible costs, project progress, and, where needed, company viability – and working with customers and appraisal specialists to resolve any issues
• Monitoring completed projects to ensure they meet grant conditions – such as job retention – and leading recovery processes if needed
• Supporting junior colleagues, especially when it comes to financial viability checks

Who we’re looking for

You’ll bring strong financial and communication skills, along with the ability to think strategically and assess the bigger picture. Ideally, you’ll have experience in project management and financial appraisal, and a good understanding of how companies deliver large-scale development projects.

Success in this role takes sound judgement around risk and reward – ideally backed by experience in structuring and negotiating funding packages, both at the start of a project and through in-project amendments, all within subsidy control rules.

You’ll be confident reviewing financial and commercial information – including plans for new products, services or processes – and comfortable finding creative solutions to complex problems. You know how to build agreement around the right approach, and you’re experienced at influencing at senior level. Collaborative working with customers, funders, and external partners comes naturally to you.
 
Your skills, abilities, and experience should include:

• Qualifications at SCQF Level 9 or above – or equivalent experience – in accountancy or commercial finance
• Experience managing innovation or capital development projects in private sector companies
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Confidence in building and managing relationships with customers and stakeholders
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on finding creative, practical solutions
• Being comfortable working with data and drawing insights from it
• Being solutions-focused, with a proactive approach to challenges

Ideally, but not essentially, you’ll also have:

• Economic development, grant appraisal, or delivery experience 
• Experience in applying Subsidy Rules  

Role profile

Further information on the role can be found in the attached role profile.

Life at Scottish Enterprise

As one of Scotland’s Top 10 Flexible Employers, we pride ourselves on empowering our colleagues to work when and where they can best deliver their role in support of our corporate plan. Learn more about working with us.

How to apply

If you're interested in this role, complete and submit your application by 13 August 2025.

Interview dates

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 August 2025.

Our values

Being part of Scottish Enterprise means being open to new ideas and trying different ways of working. We support each other to reach our full potential. We celebrate shared success and learn together when things don’t go so well. And we always treat each other fairly, with respect and understanding. Together, we are the difference.

At Scottish Enterprise, we’re proud to celebrate difference. Diversity of experience and thought is vital to the success of our vision for the future of every community across Scotland. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively encourage applications from a wide range of individuals, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity and expression, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

We commit to providing any reasonable adjustments required, not only during the application and assessment process but throughout your employment with us.

We have the following networks which are open to all colleagues to help drive inclusion: Disability Positive, Gender Balanced, Multi-Cultural, Multi-Generational and Pride (LGBTQ+).

Apply now to build your future with us.