Director General for Finance

Department of Health and Social Care; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A government health agency is seeking a Director General for Finance who will lead financial planning and ensure the stewardship of public resources. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in strategic finance, budget management, and leadership in complex environments. This top-level role involves close collaboration with senior government officials and driving efficiencies across the health system in the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in capital-intensive businesses and transformation programmes.
• Experience managing large budgets with a focus on value for money.
• Strong record in leadership roles within NHS or government sectors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial planning and ensure stewardship of public funds.
• Lead strategic financial direction for health and care systems.
• Manage relationships with senior stakeholders in the health sector.

Skills

Accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent)

Budget management

Strategic finance expertise

Leadership and collaboration

Understanding of HMT rules

Education

Full accountancy qualification

Job description

Location

This role will require regular attendance at both DHSC and NHS England current headquarters in Leeds and London with travel to other locations as necessary. You can be based at any of the current regional sites, with the expectation of regular time in London each week.

About the job

Job summary

The Director General for Finance is a stretching and exciting new role combining both the Department of State finance functions with leadership of financial planning across the NHS. The post holder will be responsible for the stewardship of public money, ensuring transparency, value for money and the sustainability of the health and care system. They will report into both the Permanent Secretary of DHSC, supporting them on their responsibilities as Principal Accounting Officer, and the NHS Chief Executive, supporting them on their delegated responsibilities as Accounting Officer for the NHS. As a key member of the executive team, the Director General for Finance will shape national strategy, advise ministers, and support the NHS to deliver improved outcomes for patients within available resources.

Job description

You will play a central leadership role in shaping the future of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) as it integrates the responsibilities of NHS England into a single, unified organisation. This transformation offers a unique opportunity to design and deliver the future-state finance function that supports ministerial priorities and delivers tangible benefits to citizens and communities.

You will bring together strategic finance capabilities for DHSC and the NHS, providing financial planning, profession oversight, and performance management. You will be a national thought leader and a visible external figure to the NHS and health system finance community.

Success in the role will require close working with Ministers, senior colleagues in DHSC, HM Treasury, the NHS and wider health and social care system to deliver:

For 2025/26, a balanced budget totalling £202bn revenue and £13.6bn capital for delivery by the Department, including the NHS and its arms-length bodies.

Strategic financial leadership and direction to the health and care system, including the NHS in England, restoring sustainable finances and financial discipline across the NHS, fostering efficiency, productivity, value for money and cost-control in a complex health environment.

Strategic government financial management, leading on the negotiation of Spending Reviews and aligning the Department’s objectives and compliance with all government standards.

Leading the financial planning and performance management for the health and care system, including the NHS, identifying areas for improvement and intervention, and facilitating appropriate action to deliver productivity and wider improvements.

Leading the finance profession in the health and care system, including the NHS, responsible for building and nurturing effective relationships to ensure that the national finance direction of travel is relevant, credible, well communicated and ‘bought into’ including the sector finance leaders and external key partners.

Leading the effective implementation of the Secretary of State’s top priorities and supporting ministers and the Department to set direction for the health and care system both in the medium and long term. This includes delivery of: manifesto commitments, the 10 Year Health Plan, and strategic planning to take forward the commitments to local areas, building and expanding their Neighbourhood Health and Social Care Services

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• A full accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience within a capital-intensive business, large scale transformation programmes and well-developed budgetary, planning and forecasting skills. This will include experience of effectively managing large budgets, and a strong track record of delivering value for money and strategic impact.
• A deep and broad experience in strategic finance holding the confidence and experience to offer sound, informed advice to the Accounting Officer. This will need to take account of the environment, potential impacts, and trade-offs that any decision making will bring.
• A substantial record of holding responsible and credible leadership roles in one of: the NHS, central government/government agency, local government or a third sector or commercial organisation. You will have significant experience at Board/Executive team level, demonstrate strong collaborative working with a wide range of senior partners with evidence of successful operating across multiple organisations within a complex system and across structural boundaries.
• Strong background in applying HMT rules and procedures regarding the management of public money.
• Proven experience of developing motivated, engaged and high performing teams and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion. This includes demonstrating leadership of wholescale change in large organisations, supporting your team and the wider organisation through uncertainty. You will be able to demonstrate how you have role modelled and supported the development of a strong organisational culture and empowering others to successfully build and embed new ways of working.

Desirable Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience within the NHS system, along with a strong understanding of the NHS financial landscape and the interrelationship with performance.