Operational Director of Finance

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

An exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of the operational finance portfolio at a large NHS Trust in the South East of England. Reporting directly to our newly appointed Chief Financial Officer, the Operational Director of Finance has functional responsibility for financial management & accounts, treasury & cash management, financial systems, payroll, capital accounting, financial aspects of property development & transactions, charitable fund accounting & contracting. In addition, you will take a key role in compliance with sound financial policies, procedures & the management of business & financial risk for the Trust. You will support the Trust in delivering an outstanding finance function for the benefit of staff & patients & is a key member of the Trust's senior leadership team. The post holder will provide leadership & direction to the Finance Directorate & will be responsible for the development, implementation & overall performance of financial operational objectives that achieve the Trust's strategic aims & objectives as set by the Trust Executive.

To succeed in this role, you will have experience of operating at sub-board level in an NHS environment atAfC band 9 or VSM level, & ideally have worked as a Deputy CFO in a large NHS Trust. You will demonstrate an engaging & inclusive leadership style & have the credibility and gravitas to lead financial management in a complex acute setting.

Main duties of the job

The Operational Director of Finance reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer & in partnership with the Strategic Director of Finance, be accountable for ensuring effective financial management of the Trust's overall budget; in addition to compliance with sound financial policies, procedures & the management of business & financial risk for the Trust. You will support the Trust in delivering an outstanding finance function for the benefit of all staff & patients & be a key member of the Trust's senior leadership team. Providing leadership & direction to the Finance Directorate (Operations) & be responsible for the development, implementation & overall performance of financial operational objectives that achieve the Trust's strategic aims & objectives as set by the Trust Executive.

The Operational Director of Finance will ensure there is a real focus on the delivery of Trust financial & business objectives; provide leadership, vision & direction across the Finance directorate, managing the delivery of a high-quality support service; play a central role in the leadership and future success of the organisation; advising the Trust Executive & Senior Management Teams on all aspects of:

Treasury & cash management

Payroll

Capital accounting

Financial aspects of property development & transactions

Charitable fund accounting

Contracting

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job responsibilities

• As a Director of the Trust, plays a major part in corporate management and operational planning
• Deputise for the Chief Financial Officer as required
• Participate in the promotion of efficient and effective relationships between the Trust and all users of its service and those in the wider health economy, actively contributing to the Integrated Care System (ICS) plan
• Contribute to the establishment of the Trust-wide standards to maintain, monitor and improve the quality of total care and the efficient use of resources to promote patient satisfaction, experience and outcomes
• Contribute to the development, communication and promotion of the Patient First programme vision, mission and values
• Contribute to the development of a culture of continuous improvement; promotion of new ideas and initiatives; leading others through the journey to a sustainable future to meet stretching financial performance targets
• Work with the Chief Financial Officer to agree operational and personal objectives and performance targets
• As appropriate, ensure that all legal and statutory obligations are met, including leadership of the Annual Accounts for the Trust
• Ensure the highest standards of corporate and clinical governance, personal conduct and probity
• Represent the Trust locally, regionally and nationally as and when required
• Participate in the Trusts Director on-call arrangements

Person Specification

Professional Registration

• Holds appropriate accountancy registration

Education / Qualifications

• Educated to Masters level, or equivalent professional experience
• Evidence of continuing professional and managerial development

Experience

• Substantial senior management experience in NHS Finance at Director or aspirant Director level
• Demonstrable track record operating at or near board level in a large complex, preferably Foundation Trust environment (desirable); with the professional credibility to contribute to high level discussions and strategic planning
• Evidence of successful and sustained financial management in an environment of organisational change and improvement
• Sound understanding of NHS strategic change agenda and political environment
• Sound understanding of the commercial environment; and the national healthcare policy and strategic direction
• Current knowledge of all aspects of finance, corporate governance and controls assurance
• Proven experience of developing and reviewing business cases and capacity plans
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills with experience of dealing directly with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Evidence of successfully leading and motivating a large and diverse team

Skills

• Demonstrate the competencies in the NHS Management and Leadership standards and the dimensions of the Leadership Framework (LF)
• A leadership role model who actively portrays and promotes organisational values and desired leadership behaviours
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels
• Achieves commitment and support through the use of integrity and influence
• Understanding of service re-design and improvement methodologies and is able to translate strategic direction into deliverable, measurable outcomes
• Communicates with authority both internally and externally
• Constructively challenges activities which may not contribute to the delivery of the corporate strategy whilst balancing the importance of being a corporate player
• Possesses excellent chair and facilitation skills
• Analytical skills, ability to grasp a complex problem quickly and provide non-traditional solutions to problems
• Strong commercial and business acumen with an ability to contribute to major investment programmes
• Ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring about change and service improvements
• Ability to balance the need to manage operationally and think strategically
• A motivational leader, able to set a clear direction and vision and drive continuous improvement
• Innovative style of management, communicating vision and leading change through others
• Thorough understanding of the financial requirements of a challenged Trust
• Collaborative working style with peers, sharing knowledge and being proactive in understanding current issues
• Wider experience within the NHS, particularly in the acute hospital sector

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)