DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE:

PERFORMANCE & REPORTING

£89,537 - £103,860 per annum

DEPARTMENT: Finance

BAND: 9

HOURS OF WORK: Up to 37.5 hours per week, normal office hours

Job Purpose

To be accountable to the Director of Finance for the successful delivery of the Trust’s strategic and operational financial objectives through the effective management, development and operation of financial performance management, planning and non-statutory reporting.

Principal Duties

To be responsible to the Director of Finance for developing and delivering effective arrangements for financial performance management in the Trust, including appropriate analytics, support and challenge.

To work autonomously, interpreting national and international policy and best practice to promote excellent financial management, planning and management reporting Trust wide.

To be responsible for the development and delivery of the Trust’s financial management strategy. To be responsible for developing and maintaining the Trust’s capital and revenue financial plans, and for the maintenance of the Trust’s long term financial model.

To play a leading role in formulating plans to deliver long term financial sustainability for the Trust. Including implementation of Trust wide specific policy or service development changes.

To lead the development and oversight of financial aspects of transformation, turnaround, efficiency, productivity and change programmes.

To support the Director of Finance in providing Board-level and external advice, developing strategies and plans to ensure the Trust’s continued viability.

To ensure that full accountability for and stewardship of resources is maintained. To design and implement appropriate performance management arrangements that provide internal and external assurance about the delivery of services to plan, against agreed quality indicators and so demonstrating internal control and accountability. To follow up and follow through agreed actions to ensure full assurance that agreed outcomes are delivered.

To ensure, on behalf of the Director of Finance, the development and oversight of financial risk management processes. Ensure that trust wide systems to monitor performance and delivery of outcomes and fit for purpose and effective and provide clear, timely, accessible and accurate reports.

To specify, as required, enhancements to financial systems to improve assurance about internal control and decision-making.

To be a highly visible leader, with the authority to make financial policy decisions as required. To provide active leadership and support to finance staff throughout the Trust.

To be an excellent communicator with the ability to explain to key stakeholders, both internal and external, the assumptions and challenges of the Trust’s financial position. To have the confidence and ability to lead discussions with stakeholders on all financial matters within areas of prime responsibility and the Trust.

To support the Director of Finance in the development of financial strategies and business planning arrangements that support both optimum patient care/ patient experience, and the effective use of resources, translating strategic initiatives into operational delivery structures, plans and processes. To ensure that plans remain consistent with the long term financial model and aligned with health economy and commissioner plans.

To work with the Director of Finance and other Trust Directors to coordinate and drive successful planning and delivery of short and medium term productivity, efficiency and change programmes.

In conjunction with operational and planning teams, support the development and delivery of clearly defined clinical and business management frameworks within which clinical leaders and managers can improve the performance management of services. Scrutinise and undertake post implementation reviews/audits of initiatives and developments to provide assurance that projected benefits have been achieved; and capture / disseminate lessons learned.

To advise clinical leaders and senior management on a wide range of financial issues and influence their performance in line with the delivery of financial plans.

To provide expert financial input into major business cases/plans and other business-critical documents.

To oversee the Trust’s response to technical financial initiatives on behalf of the Trust, liaising as appropriate with Shelford group colleagues, NHSE/I and external consultants.

In collaboration with the Director of Finance and other senior officers provide financial advice, scrutiny and oversight of major transaction processes as agreed with the Director of Finance.

In representing the Trust externally, develop and maintain effective relationships with other stakeholders, so that the aims, objectives and performance of the Trust are understood and well perceived.

To be a highly visible leader, with the authority to make financial policy decisions as required.

To be an excellent communicator and have the confidence and ability to lead discussions with stakeholders on all financial matters within areas of prime responsibility and the Trust.

To support the effective running of Board committees, including the relevant production of papers, agendas and relationship management with Non-Executive colleagues.

To lead on the education and development of the Trust’s senior management and Finance team in their understanding and development of financial management, planning and reporting.

To assure the provision of highly complex, highly sensitive and/or highly contentious information where there are significant barriers to acceptance, internally and externally to the Trust.

To undertake projects or tasks outside stated responsibilities on behalf of the Director of Finance, deputising in his absence or as required.

To line manage the Performance and Reporting Team of the Finance Department.

Responsibilities for all Staff

Person Specification

Key:

Essential (E), Desirable (D)

Education & Qualifications:

Undergraduate degree (E)

Qualified relevant finance qualification (e.g. ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA) (E)

Registered and active continued professional development (E)

Masters level postgraduate qualification, or equivalent (E)

Expert specialist knowledge of accounting procedures, in particular those specifically relating to the NHS (D)

Experience:

Significant, substantial and extensive experience of operating at a strategic level in a complex organisational environment, preferably an NHS Acute Trust, or in a role closely aligned to it (e.g. Big 4/Professional Services, NHS Improvement etc) (E)

Extensive professional finance experience at a strategic level (E)

Substantial experience of working autonomously and independently with senior stakeholders to deliver project objectives (E)

Experience of operating through influence and networks rather than direct authority (E)

A track record of creating success through working in collaborative using tact and diplomacy (E)

Political sensitivity and experience of dealing with a range of complex issues within a demanding environment (E)

Experience of senior leadership (E)

Achieved results in difficult financial climate in an organisation (E)

Experience of leading the implementation of service improvement including complex change management programmes at management level (E)

Experience of managing risk associated with service change (E)

Experience of working in senior finance roles in a range of NHS bodies, covering NHS and private clinical services (D)

Knowledge:

Expert knowledge of financial management in a healthcare/commercial environment, and of the implications of the changing financial regime in the NHS (E)

Expert knowledge of the NHS financial regime and its application to an NHS Foundation Trust (E)

Expert knowledge of the NHS Business Case process and experience of operating this system for developing cases (E)

Expert knowledge of NHS performance reporting and performance management (E)

Full working knowledge of General Ledger system and associated software (E)

Payment by Results and NHS Contracting (D)

NHS efficiency reporting (D)

Aptitudes, Analytical and Judgement Skills:

Strategic vision can formulate financial strategy in addition to undertaking operational needs (E)

Strong grasp of, and ability to analyse financial data (E)

Ability to develop and review complex and multi-year financial models, covering I&E, Balance Sheet, Cash and Capital (E)

Strong analytical and data-evaluation skills, with the ability to solve complex problems (E)

Ability to present complex data in a clear and easily understood format – both verbally and in writing (E)

Able to analyse and interpret complex financial and non-financial data, and to present this in a clear and intelligent way (E)

Able to operate in complex environments where leadership is diffuse (E)

Able to demonstrate an aptitude for working in teams and in complex matrix management environments involving very senior staff from internal and external stakeholders (E)

Able to make clear decisions in an autonomous way and to be accountable for it (E)

Ability to critically analyse highly complex information/situations and evaluate a range of options to identify service improvements/solutions (E)

Ability to deliver challenging agendas through effective delegation and coaching (E)

Communication and Relationship Skills:

Excellent skills of influencing, persuasion and negotiation.

Proven ability to present ideas clearly and succinctly – both verbally (including presentations) and in writing.

Strong political awareness, and evidence of working well within highly sensitive environments.

Ability to form excellent relationships with a wide stakeholder base.

The ability and credibility to work co-operatively within senior management.

Able to communicate complex technical data in a rigorous manner, utilising a variety of media.

Excellent written communication skills.

Able to build relationships of trust with external and internal stakeholders.

Able to lead staff in a manner which promotes a customer focus.

Able to manage conflict in an open manner.

Planning and Organisational Skills:

Ability to work flexibly in a fast changing environment

Good organisational skills and abilities

Able to plan and lead complex managerial processes.

Able to project plan in a coherent way.

Able to develop several options to resolve highly complex problems where there is no obvious answer.

Able to deliver to tight deadlines

Able to work in a “matrix” way with a wide range of professional peers and superiors in a complex environment.

Physical Skills:

Advanced keyboard skills, including expert spreadsheet modelling.

Personal Qualities:

A facilitative and inclusive approach to management.

Charismatic team player with high energy level

Self-motivated with a flexible and pro-active approach

A high level of personal resilience and be able to work with considerable pressure.

Able to demonstrate a level of personal confidence necessary to overcome barriers.

Has the ability both to focus on priority issues and strategic goals by balancing short term needs within a long term strategic framework.

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Deputy Director of Finance: Technical & Developments