Head of Business Services

We're looking for an exceptional Head of Business Services to help lead the Fringe Society into a bold new chapter in our story.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced individual to the position of Head of Business Services. One of five senior managers who support and report to the Chief Executive, the Head of Business Services is responsible for ensuring the organisation has the resources, information and operational framework to deliver the range of services provided by the Fringe Society. The Head of Business Services will manage the organisations resources and assets, consider organisational strategy and risk, and ensure all areas of the organisation are best placed to deliver for audiences and artists. A key point of contact for the board, the Head of Business Services will ensure the Fringe Society's plans are deliverable, with key focus on business administration, organisational development, finance, human resource, governance, legal compliance, risk management, premises, assets and IT.

The key purpose of the role is to drive organisational cohesion and efficiency, through inclusive and progressive leadership and demonstrable action, confident financial acumen, clear strategic thinking and operational delivery, and a robust approach to both resource and risk management.

In 2026 the Fringe Society will be moving into its new permanent home; Fringe Central. The renovation project is only step one in what will be a long-term transformation of the services and support the Fringe Society can offer year round to artists, audiences and communities, and there remains much to do over the coming years to grow and deepen this engagement and the potential of the space. The Head of Business Services will be the driving force for much of this, working with the rest of the senior management team to deliver for all stakeholders and realise the full potential.

The Head of Business Services manages a team of five - Facilities Manager, Finance Manager, HR Manager, HR and Governance Manager and Senior Projects Manager.

The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:

As part of the Senior Management Team (SMT), with the Chief Executive, they will be part of setting and implementing the overall strategic direction of the Fringe Society. This will include working on the following collaboratively with the SMT:

• Inputting into the development of short- and long-term strategic plans
• Setting priorities for the organisation
• Resource planning and monitoring
• Exploring opportunities for the Fringe Society to innovate, develop new revenue streams and leverage its strengths for the broader good of the entire Fringe community.

Specific to this role, is responsibility for the Finance and Governance, Human Resources and Operations functions within the Fringe Society and to take the lead on these areas within the SMT. The role will also lead on the coordination, management and tracking of key flagship Fringe Society projects and will be responsible for ensuring the projects remain on track and that risks throughout are anticipated and mitigated.

• Ensure the Fringe Society has sound financial planning, management, reporting and risk management, with primary responsibility for the effective management of the Charity's financial operations.
• Leading the budget planning process and ensuring that the entire Fringe Society team have effective tools to plan and monitor their budgets.
• With the Finance team, be responsible for developing ongoing analysis and reporting tools and dashboards to facilitate efficient and accurate internal reporting and that support the team in monitoring and planning income and expenditure and mitigating risk.
• Ensuring the Society remains compliant with all payment card industry and financial governing body regulations and act as the named person and responsibility for these areas of the organisation.
• Support the development, delivery and reporting to funders, donors, supporters and partners.
• Leading on the Society's Charity Governance, including supporting and advising the Governance Manager.
• Overseeing the administration and engagement of the Board of Trustees, including sub-committees, and the Company Secretary.
• Ensuring compliance with all statutory, legal, and financial reporting requirements, including the Companies' Act, Charity Law, Data Protection, Employment Law and Health and Safety.
• Providing internal expertise and checks on contracts, tenders, policies and procedures (including those relevant to the organisations governance), seeking external professional legal advice where required.
• Leading on dynamic risk analysis and associated mitigation, ensuring the SMT and the board are able to review risk alongside planning at all times.

• Leading the Society's Human Resources strategy, working with the HR Manager to drive meaningful change and positive engagement
• Ensuring the organisational culture is positive and aligns to the values of the Fringe Society
• Leading on organisation design, ensuring the Fringe Society can fully realise it's human resource

• Be accountable for the successful operation of Fringe Central, and work with colleagues and the team to realise the fuller potential of the space in the coming years
• Oversee business and operations-related contracting and monitor risks associated with external contracting and suppliers.
• Leading on development of operational strategic plans and their implementation
• Leading on the project management of Society-wide projects, including the implementation of the principles of sustainability and accessibility across all that the Society does.

• Significant experience at a senior level in a financial management or project management role.
• Proven track record of team leadership and collaboration at senior management level.
• Experience of developing and delivering effective financial strategy and management.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience in statutory reporting and audit leadership.
• Proven track record of performing within a strategic plan and budget, and delivering excellent, measurable results.
• Knowledge and experience of charity governance and compliance
• Excellent organisational and time management skills and ability to prioritise conflicting demands across a very busy workload.
• Thorough, accurate and with excellent attention to detail.
• Creative and flexible in response to problem solving.
• Self-motivated with willingness to contribute ideas.
• Extensive computer literacy and the aptitude to learn and work within new software and tools.
• Knowledge of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
• Knowledge of arts and tourism policy, its political context at local and national level.
• Understanding of Scottish charity finance, including fund accounting and grant compliance
• Understanding of charity and company law
• Understanding of HR law
• Strong communication, presentation and negotiating skills.

The salary for this post is circa £50,000 per annum, plus contribution towards a personal pension. 28 days holiday per year plus six public holidays.

Normal working hours 35 hours a week, worked from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday with a one-hour unpaid lunch break. In the run up to and during the festival you may be required to work additional days and hours.

We are a flexible working employer and therefore are happy to discuss flexible working at any stage of the application process. Due to the nature of this role and the festival, we are unable to offer remote working for this position. We can offer varied start and finish times and core hours with flexibility around them, alongside the option hybrid working where suitable within the needs of the organisation.

We use positive action under section 159 of the Equality Act in relation to disability or race. This means that if we have two candidates of equal merit in our process, we will seek to take forward the D/deaf, disabled, Black, Asian or ethnically diverse candidate in order to diversify our staff team.

The Fringe are active members of the Festivals Edinburgh Sustainability Working group and include climate action as one of the headline targets in theFringe development goals . As part of the commitments of this work, all Fringe staff members are expected to assist with the Fringe Society's environmental goals and consider these in all elements of your work.

We are also committed to maintaining the open-access policy of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and aim to successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions. We expect employees to support these commitments and to assist in their realisation.