Chief Finance and Commercial Officer

Introduction from Chief Executive Stacey Keegan

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate, and I should know, having first come to RJAH as Chief Nurse in November 2019, prior to my substantive appointment to the Chief Executive position in December 2022.

In my time here, I have seen that this is a Trust which is truly exceptional in the way in which it provides all aspects of care to our patients and to their families and friends. I am very impressed by the way we do that through a uniformed and team approach.

Whenever I spend time on one of our wards, I come away with a single conclusion - that, despite the challenges and pressures the NHS is facing, the staff work tirelessly to provide our patients with the best possible care.

As Chief Executive, it is clear to me that the NHS and RJAH have a number of challenges to address as we move forward. Whilst much of what we achieve is of the highest standard, all members of our senior leadership team continue to focus on the aspects of our work which we could improve, but the Trust is well placed to respond to those challenges. I am pleased to say that through the hard work of the Executive Team, supported by all members of the Board, we have a clear view of the sort of hospital we want to be leading in the next few years and the evolving role of our hospital in the health and care system in which we operate.

Main duties of the job

Our strategy is based upon providing world-class care to our population and enhancing our reputation as a national centre of excellence. There remains much to do, and this requires an effective and compassionate unitary Board of Directors.

The Chief Finance and Commercial Officer will advise the Chief Executive, the Board of Directors and the Council of Governors on all aspects of financial strategy and financial management.

Jointly with other system partners, the Chief Finance and Commercial Officer is responsible for ensuring that the Integrated Care System (ICS) delivers its financial targets.

How to apply

Please submit a comprehensive CV, along with a covering letter which sets out your interest and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. Please Do Not apply through completion of the application form. Please see the additional attachment for the email address for CV submission.

Please include in your CV the names and address of referees which cover a full 3 years of employment history (references will only be requested in the event of a conditional offer being made).

This is a rare opportunity for a talented, ambitious financial and commercially focused leader who shares our passion for outstanding quality services and aligns with our values.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Foundation Trust is based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle.

We are one of five specialist Orthopaedic Centres in the United Kingdom and a leading orthopaedic centre of excellence. We provide both specialist and orthopaedic care and are a specialist centre for treatment of spinal injuries and specialist treatment for children with musculoskeletal disorders.

The Trust has 9 inpatient wards and 13 operating theatres; it is a treatment centre for bone tumours and community-based rheumatology services. We are a single site in Oswestry providing services which are primarily commissioned by:

1. NHS Shropshire, Telford, and Wrekin
2. Health Boards in Wales
3. Specialist Commissioners

We have strong links with universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.

We are an inclusive employer, looking for talented individuals with different protected characteristics to ensure diversity in our workforce.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Not an exhaustive list, full job responsibilities can be found within the job description.

• To provide strategic leadership for finance across the organisation in order to strengthen its contribution to the Trust's activities.
• To take overall responsibility for financial strategy and all aspects of financial management of the Trust, being the principal financial advisor to the Trust Board, Chief Executive and Trust Management Board, ensuring the provision of financial performance statements and reports as required.
• To provide comprehensive financial services in line with statutory and regulatory purposes.
• To demonstrate an influential executive role and accountability for the development and delivery of the long-term financial strategy of the Trust.
• To influence and work collaboratively as part of a wider system to create opportunities to make sustainable long-term improvements to population health with key partners.
• Contribute to the development of a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide high-level commercial advice and to raise awareness of, and engage in dialogue over, commercial opportunities that support delivery of strategic and tactical business objectives.
• Create a sustainable pipeline of commercial developments and ensure financial plans are regularly updated with the latest commercial income forecasts.
• To appraise current and forecast outcomes of operational strategies and report on financial performance to the board and stakeholders and regulators as appropriate.
• To identify surplus assets and develop divestment programmes as appropriate.
• To apply rigorous generally accepted commercial disciplines and techniques in assessing viability of investment proposals.
• To maintain relationships with providers of finance. Ensure that the Trust's financing profile is cost effective and long- and short-term requirements are properly matched.
• To create and promote a culture of inclusive, professional leadership. You will be visible as a collaborative financial leader and role model.
• To ensure that budgets are established within approved service agreements and maintain a budgetary control system to meet all necessary requirements.
• To be the Trust's nominated executive lead for counter fraud.
• To ensure strong professional leadership of the finance and commercialisation function.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Accounting Qualification (member of a CCAB body) with full membership and evidence of up-to-date continuing professional development.
• Graduate degree.

Desirable

• Postgraduate management qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working at a senior level in the NHS.
• Strong commercialisation experience or demonstrate knowledge of undertaking activities.
• Proven track record of increasing commercial revenues in a complex environment.
• Significant experience of working in senior finance leadership role at or near board level.
• Proven experience of working within a Foundation Trust financial regime.
• Evidence of planning and delivering highly sensitive and potentially conflicting information in a meaningful way.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Ability to lead change and have a positive influence on others.
• Ability to prepare policy documents and other papers for approval by the Board of Directors.
• Ability to influence and negotiate with staff at all levels of the organisation, and with partner organisations, in order to deliver challenging objectives.
• Experience of managing highly sensitive situations with stakeholders.
• Experience of managing relationships with the media and political stakeholders.
• Experience of providing financial leadership, mentorship, and professional development at a very senior level with demonstrable outcome.
• Experience of leading highly complex and contentious transformational change at significant scale.

Desirable

• Board level working.
• Experience in financial management in the NHS.

Skills

Essential

• Technical knowledge of professional accounting standards.
• Able to design, analyse and interpret a wide range of financial and information reports.
• Ability to lead, inspire and motivate others.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Ability to critically analyse and communicate ideas in complex situations.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to influence and negotiate others in a challenging environment.
• Good IT Skills.
• Exceptional communication skills which engender community confidence, strong collaborations, and partnership.
• Strong critical thinking and strategic problem solving ability to contribute to a joint strategic plan and undertake problem resolution and action.
• Analytical rigour and numerical excellence.
• Highly sophisticated leadership and influencing skills building compassionate cultures where individuals and teams thrive at organisation, partnership and system levels.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of strategic issues facing specialty services.
• Understanding of the NHS agenda and priorities.
• Understanding of corporate and financial governance.
• Understanding of strategic financial planning and appreciation of risk management.
• Extensive knowledge of the health, care and local government landscape and an understanding of the resourcing implications related to the social determinants of public health.
• Current evidence and thinking on practices which reduce health inequality, improve patient access, safety and ensure organisations are Well Led.
• Extensive knowledge of health and care financial planning and budgeting at a board and/or system level.

Desirable

• Knowledge of performance management issues/waiting time targets.

Other

Essential

• Personal integrity.
• Advocate of trust values.
• Effective leadership style that empowers staff and creates a participative culture.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality relating to patient information and other sensitive information.

Employer details

Employer name

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT

Oswestry

SY10 7AG

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

224-PA20241202258