Head of Financial Strategy & Planning
We are the Mental Health & Learning Disability NHS Trust for County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby.
From education and prevention, to crisis and specialist care —our talented and compassionate teams work in partnership with our patients, communities and partners to help the people of our region feel safe, understood, believed in and cared for.
We nurture the recovery journey of anyone in need of our help. In Our Trust, everyone has a say in how they are supported and treated because we listen to every person in our care until they feel understood. Our patients, their families and carers work together with us towards better mental health.
We’re committed to new thinking that improves the wellbeing of our region. We connect with our communities and partners to get mental health care right, in areas that really need it.
We won’t rest until everyone in our region has the mental health care they need, to lead their best possible life.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Financial Strategy & Planning to join our finance team at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. We offer a fast paced, exciting and supportive working environment, working with our service and corporate leads to do the very best for our patients.
Although this post is advertised as an 8b post, we are willing to consider applications from people who do not yet meet the essential criteria for a Band 8b, but who would be interested in undertaking the post at a Band 8a initially, with a supportive plan for development within an agreed timeframe and progression to an 8b when fully qualified.As a result, we are interested in hearing from people within the final stage of a CCAB recognised qualification as well as those fully qualified.
We are the North East and North Cumbria Finance Team of the Year, with many passionate, highly skilled, professional and experienced colleagues who put people at the heart of everything we do. We are ambitious and want to continuously improve, whether that supports improved patient outcomes in providing high quality support to our Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism services, value for money or colleague experience, and we want someone who shares that sense of ambition and energy to deliver the change.
Main duties of the job
Working with the Director of Finance, the Deputy Director of Finance and the Head of Financial Management, the Head of Financial Strategy and Planning will develop and maintain the Trust’s Medium Term Financial Plan and lead the Trust’s annual financial planning process, including submissions to the ICB and NHSE.You will also lead the development of the Trust’s rolling 3 year programme of Cash Releasing Efficiency Schemes and oversee and co-ordinate the core financial management activities for the CRES plans and/or projects to support delivery of the in-year financial position.
You will support the delivery of key financial targets/regulatory requirements, and as part of a collective senior leadership team support the wider financial performance framework of the Trust by ensuring the development and use of our short and medium term financial plans.
Working for our organisation
The post holder will, as part of the Senior Finance Team, play a key role in promoting an organisational culture that actively promotes the Trust’s Vision and Values and positively engages staff, service users and other stakeholders in quality improvement and service transformation.This will include supporting the development and delivery of the Trust’s approach to continuous improvement and role modelling and further embedding in the organisation the Trust’s values.
If you would like to join us on our journey, Matt Norman, our Deputy Director of Finance would welcome having a conversation with you. Should you wish to discuss the role with Matt, please contact him on [email protected] to arrange an appointment.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- CCAB qualified accountant, and current registration with professional body
- Post Graduate qualification or equivalent evidence of continuing professional development
- Quality Improvement techniques
Experience
Essential criteria- Post-qualification experience at a senior level in the NHS
- Extensive experience of advising and working with senior managers and directors of a large, complex organisation
- Proven experience of financial management within a large organisation
- Knowledge of the NHS finance regime and developing medium- and long-term financial plans including cash releasing efficiency schemes (CRES)
- Proven experience of delivering complex change programmes and supporting operational services to release financial efficiencies
- Experience of leading financial planning, budget setting.
- Can demonstrate successful business planning, objective setting and experience of performance management
- Experience of presenting complex issues to wide & non-financial audiences
- Experience of developing and co-ordinating performance management arrangements across the organisation
- Previous experience of involvement in complex projects including the provision of strategic and business case planning advice across a range of options as well as detailed analysis of data and business case review
- Experience of formulating medium term and long-term strategic plans
- Evidence of line management experience, including managing and setting, objectives, goals and standards to ensure teams deliver to their maximum potential and supports ongoing development
- Excellent project management skills and demonstrate achievements / outcomes
- Key knowledge of NHS financial and management accounting policies
- Able to demonstrate an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Accounting Standards and NHS finance
- Experience of working in different NHS Trusts, finance regimes and finance disciplines
- Experience of NHS financial regime
Knowledge
Essential criteria- Through continuous personal development, to maintain advanced specialist knowledge of the latest developments within the NHS and accountancy fields.
- Knowledge of financial and other statutory and performance duties placed upon NHS organisations
- Knowledge of NHS Foundation Trust regime and reporting requirements, including risk ratings
- Has specialist knowledge of the whole NHS context, national agenda and impact on Trusts and FTs
- Has advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of financial and accounting procedures, legislation and policies
- Broad understanding of the current political climate and generate knowledge of trends in healthcare and likely impact on NHS Trusts
Skills
Essential criteria- Strong Excel spreadsheet skills
- Can evidence innovative and strategic thinking ability
- Can lead, motivate and inspire others
- Has a strong ability to establish good working relations with internal and external stakeholders
- Has strong analytic, numeric and critical reasoning skills and capable of effective problem-solving
- Ability to translate strategic goals into effective and achievable plans and capable of monitoring their progress and outcomes
- Strong IT & project management skills
- Able to make sense of conflicting priorities and reach effective, speedy solutions
- Advanced influencing, negotiating, persuasion, communication and presentation skills to individuals and large groups of people from both financial and non-financial backgrounds both internal and external to the Trust.
- Evidence of dealing with highly complex, highly sensitive or contentious information affecting large groups of people
- Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to deal with contentious situations
- Advanced presentational skill to individuals and large groups of people from a finance and non-financial background
- Ability to assess risks, anticipate difficulties and successfully address them
- Ability to handle detail within strategic plans and make informed decisions and judgements
- Politically aware
If the contract type on the vacancy states 'Fixed Term' this would mean the vacancy is being advertised to address a temporary need for the duration stipulated on the advert, however, in the event that permanent funding is secured for the post the successful applicant will be confirmed in post on a permanent basis.
Internal applicants must ensure that prior to applying they have agreement from their current line manager that they can be released on a secondment basis.
Trust Welcome Day
Here at Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Foundation NHS Trust we want you to have a positive experience when you start your new role with us. To ensure you have great welcome, for all new starters joining the Trust, we offer two start dates per month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of that Month.
On your start date, you will be invited to our in person Trust Welcome Day at our Flatts Lane Centre, Middlesborough. Your first day will be engaging and informative, it will allow you to meet and network with a range of Trust staff, learn more about us and what we offer.For certain clinical roles, your Welcome Day could then be followed by up to 9 days face to face training. If this is applicable to you, further information will be provided ahead of your Welcome Day.
Right to Work in the UK
Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the United Kingdom (UK) are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route.Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Browse: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Overseas applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply.If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
AI in Recruitment
We are aware that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is increasingly being used to generate responses for application forms. Applications for this role should be written by the applicant and if, during shortlisting, a Recruiting Manager believes AI has been used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process.This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Newly Qualified Nurses
All band 5 nursing positions are only open to those candidates who already have their NMC registration in place and have successfully completed a preceptorship programme. Please note: Newly qualified applicants or those due to qualify will be recruited via a separate process, for more information about this process please contact: [email protected]
TEWV encourages and supports all staff to be vaccinated as this remains the best line of defence against COVID19.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the protection of staff, service users and visitors to the Trust from second hand smoke and currently operates a no smoking policy which ensures all buildings and grounds are smoke free.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals who have experience of mental ill health or learning disabilities. Our service users and carers tell us our staff should be consistently concerned with maintaining and improving care with pride, empathy and compassion.
This job advert may close as soon as sufficient suitable applications have been received. If interested please apply for this post as soon as possible.
In order for your application to be successfully processed we will require references from your current and previous employer(s) which must cover a minimum period of three years. Please ensure that the reference section of your application is completed appropriately giving the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current and previous line manager(s).If this section is not fully completed your application may not be processed.
If your application is successful, the information you give on your application form will be used to create and be retained on your electronic staff record and to provide access to core Trust systems.
Please note that if the post you are applying for requires a DBS check, you will be required to also subscribe to the DBS Update Service, if successful, and thereafter renew your subscription each year. The Trust will reimburse the subscription fee.
After applying via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred Third party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. You will not be able to track the progress of your application or receive messages through the NHS Jobs website, and furthermore, that as an employer, we will not be able to respond to any e-mails sent to us via the NHS Jobs website.
By applying for this post you are agreeing to Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.