Assistant Director - Strategic Costing Lead, Performance & Improvement

NHS; Wales; On-site; GBP 78,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

A national healthcare organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to enhance financial management and drive efficiency within NHS Wales. The role requires CCAB / CIMA qualification, strong leadership abilities, and a commitment to value-based healthcare initiatives. You will lead costing data production and provide financial oversight across various programs and committees, ensuring compliance with Welsh Government standards.

Qualifications

• CCAB / CIMA qualified with current membership.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Strong knowledge of NHS Costing Returns preparation and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production and validation of Welsh costing data.
• Develop costing data models for planning objectives.
• Provide leadership and training to enhance financial expertise.

Skills

Costing knowledge

Data analysis

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

CCAB / CIMA qualification

Job description

Job summary

The Financial Planning & Delivery Directorate delivers professional support to Welsh Government and NHS Wales organisations, monitoring and managing financial risk, driving efficiency, promoting best‑practice financial management and supporting value‑based healthcare initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production, validation and continuous improvement of Welsh costing data, governing costing and benchmarking practitioners.
• Develop and model costing data in conjunction with other datasets (big data) to support wider planning and efficiency objectives; maintain integrity, quality assurance and associated analysis products.
• Strategically develop national guidance and standards for costing and benchmarking.
• Maintain lead relationships with costing and benchmarking system providers.
• Contribute to the Value Based Health and Care agenda, providing specific costing expertise and acting as lead contact for national programmes.
• Provide leadership, expertise and training to others, presenting complex data to senior leaders and operational teams.
• Act as the direct organisational liaison to NHS Wales organisations, supporting and challenging them in line with Welsh Government Escalation and Intervention Arrangements.
• Provide financial leadership to national committees and programmes, improving value and financial sustainability across the Welsh NHS.
• Lead the development of key national policy and programme areas, offering finance support to Welsh Government policy leads.
• Manage relationships and learning with external stakeholders to influence and drive improvements.

Qualifications & Knowledge

• CCAB / CIMA qualified with current membership.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Strong knowledge of costing, NHS Costing Returns preparation, education, production, analysis and benchmarking.
• Ability to analyse financial and non‑financial data and present benchmarking at all organisational levels.

Desirable Knowledge

• Personal research with a financial perspective.
• Experience creating standalone costing elements and explaining queries.
• Understanding of improvement techniques and a recognised leadership role in benchmarking.

Experience

• Extensive senior finance manager experience within large complex healthcare organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to source, connect and utilises diverse datasets.
• Experience in strategy development and implementation, including dissemination and operationalisation.
• Programme / project management experience.
• Practical experience applying prudent / value‑based healthcare concepts.
• Ability to triangulate data and benchmarking to provide actionable insight.
• Knowledge of NHS Wales finance regime, governance and business strategy development.

Skills and Attributes

• Model complex qualitative and quantitative information for senior leadership.
• Achieve targets in demanding, high‑pressure environments.
• Strong leadership, motivation and team development skills.
• Legislative interpretation, interpersonal influence and political acumen.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, inclusive of Welsh language at basic level.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Commitment to workplace values and behaviours.

Other Essential

• Ability to travel between sites as required.

Job details

Band: 8c – Salary: £78,120 to £90,013 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full‑time
Location: Bocam Park, Unit 1, Old Field Road, Pencoed, Bridgend, CF35 5LJ