In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.
DHSC leads the health and care system, working collaboratively with a range of arms-length bodies (ALBs), such as NHS England. The Department’s total group budget (including NHS England) is approximately £180 billion this year.
The NHSE Finance FBP team help DHSC to achieve Value for Money from NHSE and the broader NHS system in the implementation of its strategic objectives as set out in the NHS Mandate and government priorities. We add value throughout the policy design and implementation cycle by providing financial support and advice to DHSC policy teams and NHS England - acting as a solution focused ‘critical friend’.
Our role is to provide robust financial challenge of policy and process design, so that policy is successfully delivered with the most appropriate financial package and is aligned to strong financial management principles. Alongside this we advise on strategy, business planning and risk management and play a key role in providing the information and intelligence to contextualise reporting of the financial position of the NHS system to Parliament - ensuring finance is at the heart of decision making to support delivery of strategic policy at the best possible value to the taxpayer.
The successful candidate will be joining an inclusive and supportive team of finance professionals with ample opportunities to learn and develop a range of skills. We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate they have the requisite transferable skills to meet the key criteria, whether from a finance background or wider fields. We’ve attracted high quality policy professionals and those from other disciplines to similar roles previously, who have thrived in the team. It offers the opportunity to gain and hone skills and experience of financial decision-making in the context of areas with the highest strategic impact and priority for Government and the public. You will be supported to develop these skills, and they can be transferred to a range of future roles beyond finance, including policy, strategy, and other disciplines.
The role is based in the NHSE Finance Sponsor FBP team within the Revenue Finance Directorate and represents an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a wide-ranging finance business partnering portfolio. Finance Business Partnering teams in the Department comprise a mix of finance and policy professionals. This role will cover an interesting and varied portfolio, supporting the new Government’s priorities for primary care.
The post holder will be the finance lead covering the funding of General Practice, the Dental contract and Ophthalmology providing a vital link between NHSE finance and the Departmental policy teams supporting these areas. The role has a broad, high-profile remit, with direct links to the manifesto commitments of the new government; through this the post holder will have opportunities to demonstrate and develop a mix of finance/policy partnering, negotiation, influencing and strategy skills in a supportive team environment.
The post holder will build strong and credible relationships with policy teams in their portfolio, putting customers and outcomes at the heart of everything they do. They will be able to influence and negotiate across organisations and at all levels, both internally and externally; whilst also possessing strong communication and facilitation skills. They will be able to translate and present complex financial information and arguments clearly. They will become the ‘business expert’ and trusted advisor by building an in-depth understanding of their portfolio, its strategic goals and delivery mechanisms. They will be able to work in an agile way, comfortable managing a diverse portfolio with a range of stakeholders. They will be able to translate between business and financial agendas, including facilitating and challenging long-term planning, budgeting, and forecasting and scrutiny of financial information and reports.
The role provides an excellent opportunity to function with a large degree of independence and autonomy within a supportive team. The team is made up of a mix of both qualified accountants and those that do not have a finance qualification. A finance qualification is advantageous but not essential for this role (a wide range of applicants are encouraged; the required key skills and experience are set out below). This role attracts a market pay supplement if CCAB or equivalent qualified. We are supportive of candidates who are seeking to become qualified, either starting their qualification through an apprenticeship, or in supporting individuals who are part way through their studies.
More general information about finance business partnering roles within government is available on the following webpage:
If you have any questions about the role and would like an informal discussion please do feel free to contact the vacancy holder: Edward.Armitage@dhsc.gov.uk
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