Band 8d - Head of Finance (Strategic Finance)

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare trust in the UK is seeking a Senior Financial Leader to oversee the development and delivery of strategic financial plans. Responsibilities include leading financial strategies, assessing impacts of developments, and guiding the finance department. Candidates should have a professional accountancy qualification and substantial experience in senior finance roles within the NHS. This role offers flexible hours and generous benefits, promoting career development in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible hours

Generous benefits

Next-level training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a senior finance role advising Executive Directors.
• Experience leading on large business cases and developments.
• Extensive experience of revenue and capital accounting in an NHS environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of strategies to support a sustainable financial position.
• Assess financial impacts of service developments and changes in NHS regimes.
• Provide leadership and direction to the finance department.

Skills

Financial modeling

Business partnering

NHS financial regime understanding

Presentation skills for non-finance managers

Education

Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)

Masters degree or equivalent

Job description

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 community services. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Job overview

This role provides senior financial leadership on the development and delivery of the Trust’s strategic financial plans, from a capital and revenue perspective. The postholder reports to the Deputy Director of Finance – Recovery and Strategy and is accountable to the Group Chief Finance Officer.

Key responsibilities

• Lead on the development of large and/or cross‑cutting strategies to support a sustainable financial position for the Trust.
• Assess, model and model the financial impact of large service developments, changes to the NHS financial regime and other factors influencing Trust financial performance.
• Support the development of an asset strategy, considering risk, strategic plans, priorities and funding sources, and engage stakeholders such as the ICB.
• Maintain a professional reporting line to the Deputy Director of Finance – Recovery and Strategy while working closely with internal and external senior stakeholders.
• Develop productive partnerships with other function leads to contribute to the development of short‑ and medium‑term financial plans supporting the Group strategy.
• Provide leadership and direction to the finance department as part of the senior finance team and deputise for the senior leadership team as required.
• Operate flexibly to ensure business continuity across the broader portfolio.

Essential qualifications

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values.
• Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA).
• Educated to a masters degree level or equivalent.
• Experience of working in a senior finance role, advising Executive Directors and other senior management.
• Expert knowledge gained through further post‑qualification specialist training or experience.
• Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and directors in service developments.
• Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision‑making.
• Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and risks inherent in those business cases.
• Experience of presenting complex financial information to non‑finance managers and directors.
• An understanding of the current financial regime underpinning NHS commissioning.
• Extensive experience of revenue and capital accounting in an NHS environment.
• Extensive experience of developing and maintaining financial models and using outputs to influence the development of divisional, Health Unit, Corporate or Trust strategies.
• Experience collaborating with external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Integrated Care System, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Benefits and working patterns

Flexible hours, generous benefits, next‑level training and a forward‑thinking approach to work that works around your lifestyle. Opportunities to develop careers at one of the UK’s largest and most innovative trusts.

Equality, diversity and EEO

All people who meet the essential criteria are invited to apply. We are proud of our diversity and welcome applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship.

Application information

Please follow the link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ to submit an application. The closing date may be earlier due to the high number of applications. Short‑listed candidates will be contacted via email.