Job summary Royal Free is recruiting for a Head of Finance role to support the Barnet Business Unit, this would ideally suit an ambitious and dynamic candidate who is looking for the next challenging role which will allow them to gain exposure of working in a large acute trust with a group model that is continually evolving and growing. This is an exciting time to be joining the Trust as it expands its group modeland with the finance department currently going through a transformation to build a best-in-class Group Finance function focussed on delivering all financial operational targets and continuously striving to exceed stake holder expectations. The Royal Free London group currently comprises three hospitals: Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital and the Royal Free Hospital. The Barnet Business unit is a health unit within the Royal Free group, with its own local leadership teams responsible for managing its own delivery, quality, risk, and operational and financial performance. Barnet Hospital is a medium sized district general hospital with c.459 beds, an operating expenditure budget of c.£271m and c.3,569 WTE's providing with a wide range of acute services including a busy A&E department. As part of the group clinical strategy, Barnet Hospital's core clinical strategy focuses on supporting the needs of an ageing population and transforming same day and integrated care. Main duties of the job Develop productive partnership working with other function leads to drive profitability and return on investment, developing short and medium term financial plans to support realisation of the group strategy; To maintain a professional reporting line into the Director of Financial Performance, whilst working closely with divisional and business unit management leads and directors, utilising professional judgement to progress business needs; To drive improvements in financial productivity within the divisions - leading on identification, advice and challenge for efficiency plans; To support directors, managers and clinicians in accessing and understanding financial information for their areas of budgetary responsibility. Provide support to build understanding of complex financial information; To support commercial propositions and to undertake or oversee the financial management of key contracts. Providing advice as necessary to leadership teams on any action(s) required to realise opportunities and mitigate risks arising; About us The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests. Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top For more information please follow linkhttps://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ Date posted 16 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8d Salary £93,903 to £107,412 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number 391-RFL-6739619 Job locations Barnet Hospital Wellhouse Lane Barnet London EN5 3DJ Job description Job responsibilities In the Barnet Hospital role, the post holder will have responsibility for supporting the Director of Financial Performance and wider executive team to help inform the strategic operational and financial development of the business unit; and ensure plans are in place and delivered to achieve the business unit strategy; underpinned by the delivery of short to medium-term objectives. The post holder will be responsible for leading the business partnering team and be a critical interface between the group central finance and other functions, and the business unit finance team. They will be pivotal in fostering a culture of high performance and ensuring the delivery of the annual planning/budget setting cycle at the business unit level and ensuring strong Financial Control across the business unit. The Trust is also operating in a financially challenged environment; therefore, the post holder will be a confident individual, that can influence and be the critical friend with the wider business unit leaders to ensure strong grip and control and delivery of a very ambitious Financial Improvement Plan (FIP) target. Job description Job responsibilities In the Barnet Hospital role, the post holder will have responsibility for supporting the Director of Financial Performance and wider executive team to help inform the strategic operational and financial development of the business unit; and ensure plans are in place and delivered to achieve the business unit strategy; underpinned by the delivery of short to medium-term objectives. The post holder will be responsible for leading the business partnering team and be a critical interface between the group central finance and other functions, and the business unit finance team. They will be pivotal in fostering a culture of high performance and ensuring the delivery of the annual planning/budget setting cycle at the business unit level and ensuring strong Financial Control across the business unit. The Trust is also operating in a financially challenged environment; therefore, the post holder will be a confident individual, that can influence and be the critical friend with the wider business unit leaders to ensure strong grip and control and delivery of a very ambitious Financial Improvement Plan (FIP) target. Person Specification Values Essential Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values Qualifications Essential Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA Experience of working in a senior finance role, advising Executive Directors and other senior management Expert knowledge gained through further post-qualification specialist training or experience. Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification Experience Essential Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and/or directors in service developments Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and risks inherent in those business cases Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors An understanding of the Payment by Results financial regime Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage Leadership qualities and influencing skills: o Ability to understand complex situations o Ability to work in a professional and positive manner and meet challenging deadlines o Able to challenge effectively while maintaining relationships o Pro-active, Dynamic and flexible o Ability to work autonomously. Demonstrating initiative to work as an individual to meet deadlines. Ability to operate as part of the leadership of the department, proactively identifying ways to improve and working with others in the department to initiate these changes Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve highly complex financial problems Excellent verbal and written communication skills The ability to manage time, meet deadlines and prioritise delivering to tight deadlines and managing the demands of senior stakeholders simultaneously Ability to make use of systems (initially Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word) to prepare and present accurate, clear information and to identify what can be produced from other financial systems Strong organisational skills and ability to proritise Flexible and able to manage workload to ensure delivery of both regular commitments and the support of Trust wide initiatives The ability to provide advice and support from across all of the accounting disciplines is essential. Able to influence others, and be able to present a coherent case in support of a desired strategic outcome or plan Ability to challenge assumptions, and articulate alternative interpretations, scenarios and strategies Must be able to set and negotiate priorities for themselves and others and subsequently programme workload to achieve results and meet deadlines. They should understand what motivates people to perform, and be able to gain the respect and support of other staff and managers Ability and credibility to represent the Trust at off-site meetings Requires standard keyboard skills Personal Qualities Essential Strong sense of quality and customer focus. Self motivated Pro-active and positive Resilient to cope with challenge and criticism Prepared to lead on the operational issues of the department and to take responsibility for policy and service development for financial reporting for clinical and corporate departments. Ability to inspire confidence when presenting Team player, willing to 'roll up sleeves' where necessary Positive 'can do' attitude. Highly organised approach and ability to prioritise own work in order to meet strict deadlines and targets. Embraces change. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work closely and effectively with staff at all levels within the organisation, including ability to persuade as well as be diplomatic Excellent persuasion and negotiation skills are required to ensure delivery of balanced financial plans Person Specification Values Essential Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values Qualifications Essential Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA Experience of working in a senior finance role, advising Executive Directors and other senior management Expert knowledge gained through further post-qualification specialist training or experience. Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification Experience Essential Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and/or directors in service developments Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and risks inherent in those business cases Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors An understanding of the Payment by Results financial regime Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage Leadership qualities and influencing skills: o Ability to understand complex situations o Ability to work in a professional and positive manner and meet challenging deadlines o Able to challenge effectively while maintaining relationships o Pro-active, Dynamic and flexible o Ability to work autonomously. Demonstrating initiative to work as an individual to meet deadlines. Ability to operate as part of the leadership of the department, proactively identifying ways to improve and working with others in the department to initiate these changes Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve highly complex financial problems Excellent verbal and written communication skills The ability to manage time, meet deadlines and prioritise delivering to tight deadlines and managing the demands of senior stakeholders simultaneously Ability to make use of systems (initially Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word) to prepare and present accurate, clear information and to identify what can be produced from other financial systems Strong organisational skills and ability to proritise Flexible and able to manage workload to ensure delivery of both regular commitments and the support of Trust wide initiatives The ability to provide advice and support from across all of the accounting disciplines is essential. Able to influence others, and be able to present a coherent case in support of a desired strategic outcome or plan Ability to challenge assumptions, and articulate alternative interpretations, scenarios and strategies Must be able to set and negotiate priorities for themselves and others and subsequently programme workload to achieve results and meet deadlines. They should understand what motivates people to perform, and be able to gain the respect and support of other staff and managers Ability and credibility to represent the Trust at off-site meetings Requires standard keyboard skills Personal Qualities Essential Strong sense of quality and customer focus. Self motivated Pro-active and positive Resilient to cope with challenge and criticism Prepared to lead on the operational issues of the department and to take responsibility for policy and service development for financial reporting for clinical and corporate departments. Ability to inspire confidence when presenting Team player, willing to 'roll up sleeves' where necessary Positive 'can do' attitude. Highly organised approach and ability to prioritise own work in order to meet strict deadlines and targets. Embraces change. Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work closely and effectively with staff at all levels within the organisation, including ability to persuade as well as be diplomatic Excellent persuasion and negotiation skills are required to ensure delivery of balanced financial plans 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Address Barnet Hospital Wellhouse Lane Barnet London EN5 3DJ Employer's website https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)