Job summary
Role is subject to banding
The Operational Director of
Finance is a key executive leadership role within County Durham and Darlington
NHS Foundation Trust. Reporting directly to the Chief Finance Officer, the
postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership across all aspects
of financial management, planning, performance, governance and financial
recovery. As a member of the Executive Team, the successful candidate will help
drive long term financial sustainability, support delivery of the Trust's
strategic objectives, promote value for money and ensure resources are used
effectively to improve patient outcomes. The role also involves working closely
with clinical leaders, Executive Directors, regulators and system partners
across the wider NHS to support collaboration, transformation and financial
improvement.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will lead the Finance Directorate and provide
expert financial leadership across the Trust. Responsibilities include
developing annual plans and budgets, overseeing financial performance, ensuring
compliance with statutory and NHS England reporting requirements, maintaining
robust financial controls and leading financial recovery programmes. The
postholder will support delivery of cost improvement and productivity
programmes, provide financial oversight of capital investments, PFI arrangements
and the Trust's wholly owned subsidiary, and prepare financial reports for the
Executive Team, Board and committees. They will also deputise for the Chief
Finance Officer, develop strong relationships with budget holders and external
partners, and represent the Trust within Integrated Care System and national
finance forums
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a high-profile
executive leadership position responsible for shaping and delivering the
Trust's financial strategy and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. The
Operational Director of Finance will lead the development of annual budgets, financial
plans, savings programmes and financial recovery initiatives, while providing
assurance that the Trust meets all statutory, regulatory and governance
obligations. The role includes oversight of a revenue budget of approximately
£780 million, a capital programme of approximately £20 million and significant
productivity and transformation programmes.
The postholder will lead and
develop a high-performing finance function, building on the Trust's level 3 Future
Focused Finance accreditation and promoting continuous improvement, workforce
development and succession planning. They will ensure finance teams provide
high-quality support and challenge to operational and clinical services,
enabling informed decision making and strong financial accountability
throughout the organisation.
Working closely with Executive
Directors, clinical leaders, managers and external stakeholders, the postholder
will drive financial improvement, service transformation, productivity and
value for money. They will be responsible for monitoring delivery of cost
improvement programmes, ensuring financial implications are fully considered in
strategic decisions and developing analytical capabilities to support
performance improvement.
The role also includes
maintaining the Trust's financial risk register, leading relationships with
internal and external auditors, supporting major capital projects and providing
strategic oversight of the Trust's wholly owned subsidiary and Private Finance
Initiative arrangements. The postholder will represent the Trust in Integrated
Care System finance forums, provider collaboratives and national networks,
influencing financial strategy and contributing to wider NHS objectives.
In addition, the
successful candidate will operate effectively within a complex and demanding
environment, managing sensitive stakeholder relationships, leading through
change and providing visible leadership across the organisation. They will
deputise for the Chief Finance Officer when required and participate in the
Trust's strategic on-call rota, contributing to corporate leadership and
organisational resilience
Job description
Job responsibilities
This is a high-profile
executive leadership position responsible for shaping and delivering the
Trust's financial strategy and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. The
Operational Director of Finance will lead the development of annual budgets, financial
plans, savings programmes and financial recovery initiatives, while providing
assurance that the Trust meets all statutory, regulatory and governance
obligations. The role includes oversight of a revenue budget of approximately
£780 million, a capital programme of approximately £20 million and significant
productivity and transformation programmes.
The postholder will lead and
develop a high-performing finance function, building on the Trust's level 3 Future
Focused Finance accreditation and promoting continuous improvement, workforce
development and succession planning. They will ensure finance teams provide
high-quality support and challenge to operational and clinical services,
enabling informed decision making and strong financial accountability
throughout the organisation.
Working closely with Executive
Directors, clinical leaders, managers and external stakeholders, the postholder
will drive financial improvement, service transformation, productivity and
value for money. They will be responsible for monitoring delivery of cost
improvement programmes, ensuring financial implications are fully considered in
strategic decisions and developing analytical capabilities to support
performance improvement.
The role also includes
maintaining the Trust's financial risk register, leading relationships with
internal and external auditors, supporting major capital projects and providing
strategic oversight of the Trust's wholly owned subsidiary and Private Finance
Initiative arrangements. The postholder will represent the Trust in Integrated
Care System finance forums, provider collaboratives and national networks,
influencing financial strategy and contributing to wider NHS objectives.
In addition, the
successful candidate will operate effectively within a complex and demanding
environment, managing sensitive stakeholder relationships, leading through
change and providing visible leadership across the organisation. They will
deputise for the Chief Finance Officer when required and participate in the
Trust's strategic on-call rota, contributing to corporate leadership and
organisational resilience
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
- CCAB qualified accountant.
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree level education or equivalent experience in financial management or related professional qualification
- CCAB qualified accountant
- Evidence of recent and continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Regulatory experience within the NHS
- Significant senior leadership experience in the NHS
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of NHS financial and accounting regimes
- A highly effective communicator, whose engagement and communication capability enables effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to work collaboratively internally and externally and in partnership with others including across organisational boundaries
- Knowledge and understanding of national NHS policy and strategy
- Good knowledge of procurement issues and processes.
Desirable
- Understanding and knowledge of complex regulatory matters.
- Evidence of networks within the NHS and across other organisations.
- Ability to articulate a clear understanding of legal frameworks and processes for a range of different partnership arrangements including group structures.
Experience
Essential
- Senior professional with extensive experience of high level leadership and management within the NHS
- Record of successfully managing complex organisation wide transformational change
- Experienced in using well-developed influencing skills to work effectively across a wide range of teams at all levels in the organisation.
- Leading change in complex environments
Desirable
- Senior leadership experience within the NHS
- Strong track record of success working directly with individuals working in the regulatory environment.
- Experience of working with and providing advice to senior executives and board members within the NHS.
Special Requirments
Essential
- Ability to travel both locally and nationally, attending meetings and conferences, including overnight stays
- A strong commitment to personal continuing professional development
- Sound IT skills
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential
- CCAB qualified accountant.
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree level education or equivalent experience in financial management or related professional qualification
- CCAB qualified accountant
- Evidence of recent and continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Regulatory experience within the NHS
- Significant senior leadership experience in the NHS
Special Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- In depth knowledge of NHS financial and accounting regimes
- A highly effective communicator, whose engagement and communication capability enables effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to work collaboratively internally and externally and in partnership with others including across organisational boundaries
- Knowledge and understanding of national NHS policy and strategy
- Good knowledge of procurement issues and processes.
Desirable
- Understanding and knowledge of complex regulatory matters.
- Evidence of networks within the NHS and across other organisations.
- Ability to articulate a clear understanding of legal frameworks and processes for a range of different partnership arrangements including group structures.
Experience
Essential
- Senior professional with extensive experience of high level leadership and management within the NHS
- Record of successfully managing complex organisation wide transformational change
- Experienced in using well-developed influencing skills to work effectively across a wide range of teams at all levels in the organisation.
- Leading change in complex environments
Desirable
- Senior leadership experience within the NHS
- Strong track record of success working directly with individuals working in the regulatory environment.
- Experience of working with and providing advice to senior executives and board members within the NHS.
Special Requirments
Essential
- Ability to travel both locally and nationally, attending meetings and conferences, including overnight stays
- A strong commitment to personal continuing professional development
- Sound IT skills
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
University Hospital of North Durham
Durham
County Durham
DH1 5TW
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
