Operational Director of Finance

NHS; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 109,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent NHS foundation trust in Greater Manchester is seeking an Operational Director of Finance to lead the finance team and drive financial strategies. The successful candidate will have substantial experience, ideally within the NHS, and will report to the Chief Finance Officer. This permanent, full-time role offers a salary range of £109,179 to £125,637 per annum, with opportunities for home or remote working.

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience.
• NHS finance knowledge or equivalent.
• Senior level experience in an acute setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic and operational finance across various domains.
• Report financial position to the Trust Executive.
• Collaborate with Chief Finance Officer on financial recovery.

Skills

Highly numerate

Excellent analytical skills

Influencing skills

Team leadership

Education

CCAB Qualified

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Operational Director of Finance
Organisation: Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL)
Location: Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX
Pay: Band 9, £109,179 to £125,637 per annum, pro rata (Agenda for change)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Home or remote working

This is a senior finance leadership role within WWL’s finance team, reporting to the Chief Finance Officer. The post holder will shape medium-term financial strategy, ensure robust financial control, lead a finance team, and work with clinical and system partners to deliver sustainable financial value in a fast-evolving NHS landscape.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and operational finance management across financial planning, financial services, procurement, payroll, and capital; leadership of financial systems and policies including Standing Financial Instructions and external assurance requirements.
• Report financial position to the Trust Executive and Trust Board; provide horizon scanning, strategic insight, and proactive risk management.
• Collaborate with the Chief Finance Officer and system partners to support financial recovery, sustainability plans, and value for patients through efficiencies and innovation.
• Build strong working relationships with the Wigan Locality, Local Authority, ICB colleagues, and neighbouring Trusts; lead commissioning negotiations and cluster collaborations.
• Direct line management of the Senior Finance Team; contribute to senior Trust meetings and drive development of a high-performing Finance team.
• Lead the delivery of annual financial plans and translation into budgets, including devolved financial management and CIP targets; provide leadership for financial recovery when required.
• Develop and improve SLR/SLM with clinical engagement; contribute to strategies in finance, commercial development, financial planning and information.
• Deputise for the Chief Finance Officer as appropriate and perform corporate responsibilities including On-Call.
• Support system-wide, community-focused impact across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Person Specification

Essential

• Qualifications: CCAB Qualified; demonstrable CPD recognised by professional body.
• Experience: Significant post-qualification experience; NHS finance knowledge or equivalent; senior level experience in an acute setting; budget setting; strategic financial planning; leading CIP/SAVI programs; leading financial aspects of contract negotiations; experience with statutory and non-statutory financial returns; experience with locality partners; leading business planning for a large organisation; complex capital investment case preparation; value-for-money in resource application; governance and assurance to the Board; communicating complex information clearly; regular attendance at Board sub-committees.

Desirable

• Further managerial qualification (e.g., MBA); completion of recognised leadership development program; experience of meaningful change management; new business systems implementation; reports to diverse user groups including Trust Boards; leading, managing and developing teams; broader finance exposure; internal or external audit experience; payroll, procurement and shared services environment experience; leading other professional staff; leading multi-disciplined teams.

Skills

• Highly numerate; excellent analytical and communication skills; ability to influence Directors and Non-Executive Directors; lead and motivate teams through complex service redesign; balance strategic planning with delivery of annual targets; identify opportunities within a commercial framework; horizon scan to plan for financial and service risk; act as a senior corporate figure; innovative and improvement-focused; achievement-oriented.

Additional

• Sets high standards, confident leadership, optimistic and resilient; innovative thinker in alternative delivery methods; self-directed and able to handle ambiguity; works to deadlines; motivates teams and celebrates success; ambitious and benchmark-setting; willing to travel as required.

Other information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a DBS check will be required.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.

Employer details
Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Buckingham Row, Brick Kiln Lane, Wigan, WN1 1XX
Website: http://www.wwl.nhs.uk/