Job Description

Want to lead one of the most important portfolios in our Trust and see your work translate into better care and financial sustainability?
We are seeking a visionary and experienced finance professional to join our senior leadership team as Assistant Director of Finance Financial Strategy and Improvement. This pivotal role will drive our organisations financial planning, embed robust governance and champion a culture of continuous financial improvement across the Trust.
We're looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience
• Is aspiring to progress to a future Deputy CFO or CFO role
• Has a strong track record of leading on strategic financial planning
• Has a sharp diagnostic skill set to be able to use benchmarking data to target opportunities
• Has the ability to engage with clinician and operational leaders to target financial improvement opportunities and assemble workplans

Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance, you will:

• Lead on the development of sustainable medium term financial plans aligning them to operational strategies and the Trusts long-term goals to support strategic decision making
• Lead the Trust-wide financial improvement programme, ensuring robust governance, delivery of workstreams and measurable outcomes
• Collaborate with executive and operational teams to identify efficiency opportunities, improve productivity and optimise resource allocation
• Provide expert financial advice and analysis to the Board, Executive Team, and operational leaders

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.
About us
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff members work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). Committed to continuous improvement, we prioritise our people and values so we can deliver excellent patient experience. Our team is friendly, passionate and always seeking better ways to work through research and innovation. We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces for honest conversations and to share ideas, thoughts and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. As a member of the team, you will have access to the NHS pension plan, a generous holiday allowance, employee health and wellbeing services and extensive benefits and support. These include onsite nurseries, childcare vouchers, car lease and home electronics schemes, working carers support, carer-friendly policies, and more. If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Details
Date posted
11 November 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8d
Salary
91,342 to 105,337 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
000791
Job locations
Pinderfields Hospital
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF1 4DG
Job description
Job responsibilities
Long Term Financial Plan

• Working closely with other colleagues in the Finance Team, leading on the maintenance of a detailed financial model for the Trusts LTFP and for submissions required through to the local ICB and with NHSE.
• Closely working with Executive, Finance & Divisional colleagues to help develop and execute the Trusts operational delivery plans, estates & digital strategies, commercial development and service transformation.
• Consideration of financial risks and scenario based approaches in the LTFP

Financial Improvement Plans

• Working with the Executive leads and SROs to shape the vision and composition for the Trusts FIP, using benchmarking tools including Model Hospital and other data sources such as NHSEs Grip & Control checklist, HFMA Efficiency map etc.
• Providing best practice programme management and subject matter expertise to lead the continued implementation of the Trusts FIP, corporate projects and support the management and delivery of specific Trust projects
• Leading oversight and monitoring of delivery against FIPs to deliver the financial benefits required to achieve the LTFP; this will be underpinned by maintaining a dashboard of clear financial and wider productivity metrics
• Linking FIP monitoring to financial forecasting and recovery plans
• Ensuring appropriate actions are taken to mitigate and respond to identified risks to the delivery of FIPs
• Engaging key clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, drawing a clear line of sight on financial improvement opportunities, reduction in unwarranted variation and delivery of financial and wider improvement.
• Establish and support the delivery of the Trusts financial improvement capabilities, creating expertise within the corporate team and wider capability within the Trust
• Engagement in FIP scoping, option appraisal, business case development, invest to save opportunities, implementation, performance management and evaluation
• To review and advise on key commercial and revenue generation opportunities through horizon scanning and developing strategies and risks and develop strategies and mitigations in advising the CFO and Trust Board
• Leading and working with internal and external change agents to support delivery of individual programmes and projects
• Maintenance of the FIP tracker and associated governance aspects including the Quality Impact Assessment process
• Take the lead on the strategic review of all back-office functions across the Trust liaising with specialist teams and other NHS providers to develop future operating models which improve business continuity and value for money
• Leading, building and participating in key external networks focussed on financial improvement and productivity

Please click 'apply now' to view the full job description (there is no obligation to submit an application). Job description
Job responsibilities
Long Term Financial Plan

• Working closely with other colleagues in the Finance Team, leading on the maintenance of a detailed financial model for the Trusts LTFP and for submissions required through to the local ICB and with NHSE.
• Closely working with Executive, Finance & Divisional colleagues to help develop and execute the Trusts operational delivery plans, estates & digital strategies, commercial development and service transformation.
• Consideration of financial risks and scenario based approaches in the LTFP

Financial Improvement Plans

• Working with the Executive leads and SROs to shape the vision and composition for the Trusts FIP, using benchmarking tools including Model Hospital and other data sources such as NHSEs Grip & Control checklist, HFMA Efficiency map etc.
• Providing best practice programme management and subject matter expertise to lead the continued implementation of the Trusts FIP, corporate projects and support the management and delivery of specific Trust projects
• Leading oversight and monitoring of delivery against FIPs to deliver the financial benefits required to achieve the LTFP; this will be underpinned by maintaining a dashboard of clear financial and wider productivity metrics
• Linking FIP monitoring to financial forecasting and recovery plans
• Ensuring appropriate actions are taken to mitigate and respond to identified risks to the delivery of FIPs
• Engaging key clinical and non-clinical stakeholders, drawing a clear line of sight on financial improvement opportunities, reduction in unwarranted variation and delivery of financial and wider improvement.
• Establish and support the delivery of the Trusts financial improvement capabilities, creating expertise within the corporate team and wider capability within the Trust
• Engagement in FIP scoping, option appraisal, business case development, invest to save opportunities, implementation, performance management and evaluation
• To review and advise on key commercial and revenue generation opportunities through horizon scanning and developing strategies and risks and develop strategies and mitigations in advising the CFO and Trust Board
• Leading and working with internal and external change agents to support delivery of individual programmes and projects
• Maintenance of the FIP tracker and associated governance aspects including the Quality Impact Assessment process
• Take the lead on the strategic review of all back-office functions across the Trust liaising with specialist teams and other NHS providers to develop future operating models which improve business continuity and value for money
• Leading, building and participating in key external networks focussed on financial improvement and productivity

Please click 'apply now' to view the full job description (there is no obligation to submit an application).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Please click 'apply now' to view the full person specification (there is no obligation to submit an application).

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Please click 'apply now' to view the full person specification (there is no obligation to submit an application).

Skills Required