Senior Finance Business Partner

The Methodist Church in Britain; Swindon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a senior finance leader to oversee management accounting for divisional services. You will lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and monthly performance reporting, advising senior operational managers on cost and performance.

The role also manages Finance Business Partners and trainees. Applicants should hold a professional accountancy qualification or equivalent senior experience, with strong leadership, communication and system skills, and

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification or demonstrable senior-level experience in a similar environment.
• Evidence of keeping technically up to date.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial support for Divisional services and senior management teams.
• Lead annual budget setting and business planning, including medium-term financial planning.
• Deliver monthly reporting, forecasting and performance analysis against plan, with risks, mitigations and opportunities.
• Lead, manage and develop Finance Business Partners, Management Accountants and trainees, delivering Finance KPIs and service standards.
• Challenge Divisional financial performance and drive efficiency and productivity improvement.
• Provide financial advice on business cases, service developments and investment decisions.
• Contribute to deficit recovery, productivity and benchmarking reviews.
• Support development of the Trust's operational plan and long-term financial strategy.
• Build relationships with Divisional leaders, budget holders and wider stakeholders.
• Train budget managers to understand and interpret financial reports.
• Ensure accurate month-end production and strong internal financial controls.
• Deputise for the Head of Management Accounts when required.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Excel

Management accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial modelling

Leadership

Education

Accountancy qualification (CIMA/ACA/CIPFA/ACCA)

Tools

Excel

Financial systems

Job description

The post sits within the finance function of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, reporting to the Head of Management Accounts and serving the Divisional management teams. The holder leads budget setting, forecasting, monthly reporting and business case support, and advises senior operational managers on performance and cost. It also line-manages Finance Business Partners, Management Accountants and trainees, and deputises for the Head of Management Accounts. Skilled Worker sponsorship is offered, subject to UKVI eligibility criteria.

What the job involves

• Lead financial support for Divisional services and senior management teams
• Lead annual budget setting and business planning, including medium-term financial planning
• Deliver monthly reporting, forecasting and performance analysis against plan, with risks, mitigations and opportunities
• Lead, manage and develop Finance Business Partners, Management Accountants and trainees, delivering Finance KPIs and service standards
• Challenge Divisional financial performance and drive efficiency and productivity improvement
• Provide financial advice on business cases, service developments and investment decisions
• Contribute to deficit recovery, productivity and benchmarking reviews
• Support development of the Trust's operational plan and long‑term financial strategy
• Build relationships with Divisional leaders, budget holders and wider stakeholders
• Train budget managers to understand and interpret financial reports
• Ensure accurate month‑end production and strong internal financial controls
• Deputise for the Head of Management Accounts when required

What’s required

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA or ACCA) or demonstrable senior‑level experience in a similar environment
• Evidence of keeping technically up to date

Experience

• Significant, recent experience in a senior finance position
• In‑depth and applied knowledge of financial and accounting procedures
• Experience of budgetary control, financial planning and forecasting in the NHS or an equivalent large, complex organisation

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non‑finance managers
• Ability to use Excel, Word and other financial systems to produce accurate information
• Record of improving processes and reporting
• Record of analysing work to identify and implement improvements

Other

• Record of delivering to tight deadlines
• Record of influencing staff, colleagues and budget holders
• Record of training and coaching staff
• Team player who complies with policies set by senior management
• Flexible and resilient

Nice to have

• Significant experience of managing and developing staff