Job summary We are recruiting for a Head of Planning to lead our Annual Planning process with the Finance Directorate, working closely with clinical and corporate teams across the Trust. You'll be a key member of our Strategy Team which focuses on: Strategy development & delivery and Planning. This is a hybrid role based in Oxford, with flexibility to work across Trust sites, supporting high-quality, integrated planning processes that drive improvements for our patients and communities. With our 2024/25Annual Plan in place, Oxford Health will soon start working on developing its new Strategy for 2026, which will closely interlink with our Annual Planning approach. Our team works within the wider context of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), enabling Oxford Health to be an active partner in our ICBs. You'll lead on our planning strategy, uniting teams across directorates and aligning efforts for better outcomes. The focus is on refining processes, linking Strategy delivery to Annual Planning, and shaping investment plans with ICB partners. We are looking for someone who can embody our values, think "outside the box", and bring energy and innovation to help lift the organisation to be truly outstanding in every sense. We thrive to be an open and inclusive organisation and encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds, communities and industries. If you're an experienced leader with a proven track record in planning within complex organisations, we'd love to hear from you Main duties of the job Expected areas requiring specific focus and development over the coming years are: Transform the Annual Planning process into a medium-term approach (covering 2-3 years), and review the plan to provide an aggregated view that integrates corporate and central services plans, ensuring alignment with our Strategy. Support the Board and Executive team in embedding Strategic Priorities via our Annual Planning process throughout the organisation. This will link with our new Strategy development work. Working alongside our Finance and Performance teams to embed budget settings, CIP and performance target settings as part of planning; Coordinate the work across our Clinical Directorates' teams, our Finance and Performance teams to build a view of the areas requiring investment across the Trust and demonstrating the case for investment based on an understanding of performance, evidence-base care, future demand etc. Please refer to the job description attached for a comprehensive list of duties About us Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the "candidate guide to making an application" and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria. As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: "Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team" Our values are: "Caring, safe and excellent" We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include: o Excellent opportunities for career progressiono Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and developmento 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous serviceo NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailerso Competitive pension schemeo Lease car schemeo Cycle to work schemeo Employee Assistance Programmeo Mental Health First Aiderso Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)o Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8c Salary £74,290 to £85,601 a year per annum | pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working Reference number 267-CS6969478 Job locations Littlemore Mental Health Centre Sandford Road Oxford OX4 4XN Job description Job responsibilities Key responsibilities: The Head of Planning will take a lead on the following areas of work, supported by a Senior Programme Manager. Overall leadership for the Annual Planning Process Overall responsibility for running to Trusts Annual Planning process, working in close partnership with the Trusts Finance team. This includes overall accountability for leading on the governance of the process, templates, and for being the overall point of contact and lead for planning in the organisation. The post-holder will be expected to ensure continuous improvement of the process. They will need to work creatively with all relevant leads within the Trust to ensure that the process and outputs are meaningful and support improving health outcomes for our patients and our populations. The post-holder will also need to ensure that all outputs meet high quality standards. Throughout the Annual Planning process, ensure engagement with relevant governance groups and committees and, as required, with external partners. Throughout the year, ensure review of progress against plan working with the Head of Strategy, reporting to Executives and to the Board as required. Support the Board and Executive Committees and provide thought leadership to enable prioritisation of initiatives as part of the planning process, aligning with the Trust Strategy. External Planning Act as main lead and point of contact with ICBs for Annual Planning process. Our Clinical Directorate teams all lead individual relevant contract negotiations and planning discussions at Place and with ICBs. There is however a need for the Trust to have an overall link for the planning process to present the Trust overall position. This notably involves working across Finance, Performance and Workforce to coordinate official submissions to the Planning process. Coordinate the work to build the Trusts view of required investment and rationale for this to support the Trusts position working with the ICB Strategic Commissioning function. Coordinate Trusts input to ICB Planning process and Tripartite meetings with ICB and Regional team. Line Management: Line Manage the Senior Programme Manager responsible for Planning. Joint responsibilities, working alongside the Head of Strategy: Trust-wide strategy development and alignment Support the Strategy Development process and ongoing Strategy delivery work, ensuring a constant link between planning and strategy. Ensure delivery of the Strategy and the Trust-wide programmes identified in our Strategy Delivery Plan are integrated as part of the Annual Planning process. Lead and support trust-wide programmes as required The post-holder will be required to take a lead on Trust-wide pieces of work, either as a single lead or jointly with the Head of Strategy. Potential areas of work currently being explored for 2025/26 onward include developing the Trust Population Health approach and our Trusts Culture Development work working with our Organisational Development team. Leadership: Leadership as part of the Senior Leadership Team of the Strategy team, provide line management, support and develop the team. Play a senior Leadership role in the organisation, upholding and embodying our Trusts value and helping us be a great Place to work. Deputise for the Deputy Director of Strategy and the Executive Director of Strategy as required and contribute to the working of the directorate and the Trust by participating in those activities agreed with the Executive Director of Strategy. Please refer to the job description and guidance notes attached for further information on this role Job description Job responsibilities Key responsibilities: The Head of Planning will take a lead on the following areas of work, supported by a Senior Programme Manager. Overall leadership for the Annual Planning Process Overall responsibility for running to Trusts Annual Planning process, working in close partnership with the Trusts Finance team. This includes overall accountability for leading on the governance of the process, templates, and for being the overall point of contact and lead for planning in the organisation. The post-holder will be expected to ensure continuous improvement of the process. They will need to work creatively with all relevant leads within the Trust to ensure that the process and outputs are meaningful and support improving health outcomes for our patients and our populations. The post-holder will also need to ensure that all outputs meet high quality standards. Throughout the Annual Planning process, ensure engagement with relevant governance groups and committees and, as required, with external partners. Throughout the year, ensure review of progress against plan working with the Head of Strategy, reporting to Executives and to the Board as required. Support the Board and Executive Committees and provide thought leadership to enable prioritisation of initiatives as part of the planning process, aligning with the Trust Strategy. External Planning Act as main lead and point of contact with ICBs for Annual Planning process. Our Clinical Directorate teams all lead individual relevant contract negotiations and planning discussions at Place and with ICBs. There is however a need for the Trust to have an overall link for the planning process to present the Trust overall position. This notably involves working across Finance, Performance and Workforce to coordinate official submissions to the Planning process. Coordinate the work to build the Trusts view of required investment and rationale for this to support the Trusts position working with the ICB Strategic Commissioning function. Coordinate Trusts input to ICB Planning process and Tripartite meetings with ICB and Regional team. Line Management: Line Manage the Senior Programme Manager responsible for Planning. Joint responsibilities, working alongside the Head of Strategy: Trust-wide strategy development and alignment Support the Strategy Development process and ongoing Strategy delivery work, ensuring a constant link between planning and strategy. Ensure delivery of the Strategy and the Trust-wide programmes identified in our Strategy Delivery Plan are integrated as part of the Annual Planning process. Lead and support trust-wide programmes as required The post-holder will be required to take a lead on Trust-wide pieces of work, either as a single lead or jointly with the Head of Strategy. Potential areas of work currently being explored for 2025/26 onward include developing the Trust Population Health approach and our Trusts Culture Development work working with our Organisational Development team. Leadership: Leadership as part of the Senior Leadership Team of the Strategy team, provide line management, support and develop the team. Play a senior Leadership role in the organisation, upholding and embodying our Trusts value and helping us be a great Place to work. Deputise for the Deputy Director of Strategy and the Executive Director of Strategy as required and contribute to the working of the directorate and the Trust by participating in those activities agreed with the Executive Director of Strategy. Please refer to the job description and guidance notes attached for further information on this role Person Specification Experience Essential Experience leading complex planning processes Experience working with and influencing various internal and external stakeholders Skills Essential Demonstrated interests and skills for process improvement and exceptional organisational skills Knowledge Essential Extensive knowledge of Annual Planning and Strategic Planning requirements Person Specification Experience Essential Experience leading complex planning processes Experience working with and influencing various internal and external stakeholders Skills Essential Demonstrated interests and skills for process improvement and exceptional organisational skills Knowledge Essential Extensive knowledge of Annual Planning and Strategic Planning requirements 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. Employer details Employer name Oxford Health NHS Trust Address Littlemore Mental Health Centre Sandford Road Oxford OX4 4XN Employer's website https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)