Corporate Finance Business Partner

The Great Western Hospitals NHS FT; Swindon; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Swindon is seeking an individual to support its Financial Efficiency Programme. This role involves managing improvement initiatives, overseeing financial management processes, and providing data analysis for decision-making. Strong financial oversight and project management skills are crucial for success in this role, along with the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Qualifications

• Current right to work in the UK.
• Qualifications meeting sponsorship criteria.
• Current eligibility for skilled worker visa.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Trust's improvement programme to meet efficiency targets.
• Manage the efficiency tracking system and highlight risks.
• Lead financial element of Corporate and Estates divisions.

Skills

Financial management

Project management

Data analysis

Governance

Communication

Job description

Overview

This role is central to the organisation's Financial Efficiency Programme, reporting to the Head of Financial Management and Value. The post holder will work at a high level, demonstrating credibility with Corporate Directors, the Transformation & Improvement team, and divisional teams at all levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Transformation & Improvement team to build, oversee, challenge and support the Trust's improvement programme to meet short and medium‑term efficiency targets.
• Maintain, develop and manage the Trust's efficiency tracking system, ensuring adequate governance and control arrangements, and highlight exceptions, risks and mitigation strategies.
• Test and challenge schemes with project leads, confirming savings values and performance against quality‑related KPIs, gathering evidence for assurance purposes.
• Provide business leadership advice to Corporate and Estates divisions, ensuring effective use of financial resources and robust monthly performance monitoring reports.
• Operate key governance meetings, produce and maintain terms of reference, prepare and coordinate papers, reports, minutes, decisions and actions.
• Offer expertise on programme structuring, planning, benefits quantification and tracking on behalf of the PMO, ensuring outputs and benefits are defined within the overall project scope.
• Hold Senior Responsible Owners accountable for delivery of efficiency programmes, providing a high‑quality programme management and reporting service to Boards and divisional meetings.
• Develop Improvement and Efficiency programmes, review key performance indicators, and monitor project delivery.
• Ensure staff engagement in change management, involving clinicians at the forefront of operational improvement and efficiency projects.
• Actively challenge clinical practice and decision‑making using reliable patient cost data.
• Lead the qualitative and quantitative analysis and project audit as part of the benefit realisation process.
• Undertake project management duties in conjunction with the Transformation and Improvement team.
• Design appropriate and proportionate project structures to enable successful delivery, including outcomes, objectives, scope, credible project plans, risks, interdependencies, benefits and resources.
• Make decisions on complex issues with multiple possible courses of action to achieve desired results.
• Maintain and update project plans consistently across assigned projects, in line with Trust requirements.
• Manage projects using best‑practice approaches and tools (e.g., PODs, project plans, report templates), inputting continuous improvement.
• Link with system partners, ensuring learning from financial improvement methodologies is shared and acted upon.

Financial Management

• Present information in an understandable manner to Corporate Directors, enabling accurate budgeting and resource planning.
• Influence Corporate and Estates teams to achieve Divisional financial objectives.
• Provide comprehensive financial management for Corporate and Estates divisions, including monthly reports, risk identification, variance and trend analysis, year‑end forecasts, and workforce and activity trends.
• Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to inform decision‑making and financial planning.
• Hold the Division accountable for financial practice and position, challenging poor performance and ensuring services are cost‑effective and efficient.
• Work with Divisional Directors of Operations and Transformation & Improvement to analyse complex data, benchmark, and advise on improvement options.
• Prepare Corporate and Estates annual budgets, ensuring involvement of managers, consideration of cost pressures, workforce plans, and adherence to the Trust's framework.
• Manage the aged debt position within the Divisions, handling debtor and creditor positions.
• Lead financial elements of peer comparator returns, including Corporate benchmarking and ERIC returns.
• Increase financial capability of Divisional management teams through training and support for budget managers and service leads.
• Provide input to the Trust's statutory financial reports.

Other Responsibilities

• Line‑manage the Financial Efficiency Accountant, addressing performance, sickness, grievance, bullying and harassment issues in line with Trust policies.
• Conduct annual appraisals and objective setting, supporting continuous professional development.
• Ensure the Divisional management accounts team delivers a service that meets Finance priorities and requirements.
• Maintain effective health and safety for all staff.
• Develop, influence and implement Trust‑wide policies and processes for service improvement, in partnership with senior managers.
• Ensure compliance with procurement processes, managing quotations, tenders and contracts in line with policy.
• Accountable to the Director of Finance for adherence to statutory accounting requirements and trust policies.
• Develop training and knowledge of managers regarding Standing Financial Instructions and core procedures.

Candidate Requirements

• Current right to work in the UK (subject to verification).
• Qualifications meeting sponsorship criteria.
• Current eligibility for skilled worker visa, with salary meeting UK immigration minimums (see UK Visas and Immigration website).
• Ability to cover DBS check costs (Standard £21.50, Enhanced £49.50).
• To receive DBS checks for bank posts prior to commencement (apprentices exempt).

Equal Opportunities & Diversity

We are a Disability Confident Employer and a Veteran‑Aware organisation. All applicants with a disability can opt to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme. We comply with NHS equality legislation and are proud of our commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and wellbeing. Applications from candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria will be offered an interview.

Additional Information

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. Use of artificial intelligence (AI) programmes may result in rejection. Flexible work arrangements are available. Upon acceptance, information will be transferred to the national NHS Electronic Staff Records System. All communication regarding your application will be conducted via email; be sure to check your spam folders.