Job Overview University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role. Main duties of the job This is an exciting opportunity to join us as our Head of Planning and Business Development, where you will provide senior leadership that influences, drives and delivers quality improvement, operational improvement and strategic benefits through the development of business cases. Business planning and development is important in order to help UHS navigate its complex environment and achieve its strategy / organisational goals. The Planning and Business Development Team is based in Trust Headquarters and is part of the Finance Directorate. As the Head of Planning and Business Development, you will Lead a team of Corporate and Divisional Planning and Business Development Managers. Work alongside senior operational and clinical leaders within the organisation, to support and challenge them to develop robust business plans. The team’s work follows a monthly and annual cycle, aligned to the monthly Trust Investment Group and annual planning cycle. The team operate with a mixture of on-site and off-site working. Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. Working for our organisation As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted. As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted. Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities What you will do Working alongside executive, divisional and care group colleagues, the post holder will lead and coordinate the development of robust Trust business cases and corporate plans to agreed deadlines for Trust approval committee and Boards. You will need a high degree of motivational skill, working closely with colleagues at all levels in the organisation, clinical and non-clinical and where appropriate, outside of UHS, sometimes in challenging situations. The post holder is responsible for driving change and for enthusing others to adopt and adapt to change at many levels, from local department improvements to broad implementation of national initiatives and directives. The post holder will line manage the Planning and Business Development Managers. This is a complex role requiring experience of service improvement and project management tools and techniques in industry or the NHS. The post holder will need to rapidly demonstrate an understanding of NHS acute hospital functions and business development principles. What we’re looking for You will probably have experience of working in a project / change management role before, and be able to work proactively under your own initiative. You’ll have a keen eye for detail and be able to work with your team to maintain / develop robust processes to ensure the effective project management and development of the various work streams to deliver the project objectives. You will be an excellent communicator who is able to work with colleagues from Board to Ward. You will be an active listener who can also communicate complex messages to senior audiences and respond to question and challenge. You will be highly numerate, comfortable with financial and operational data, and able to interpret it for a range of audiences. This isn't a traditional "finance" role, but previous NHS finance experience would be highly advantageous. Person specification Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience Essential criteria Masters Degree or equivalent experience/diplomas in relevant field Detailed knowledge of business case 5 case model Evidence of further training/study/leadership courses to post graduate level or equivalent experience Significant experience in industry or healthcare sector; including at a senior level Previous experience in healthcare setting Previous experience in service improvement environment Desirable criteria PRINCE or other project management training