Job Description

The post holder is responsible for supporting delivery of strategic financial planning including developing and maintaining the Trust's medium and long-term finance models and for supporting significant Trust-wide business developments/cases/transactions.



Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Finance - Strategic Finance, the post holder will be a key member of the Finance Team and support the Assistant Director in ensuring the impacts of changes in the NHS financial operating environment are understood and modelled, risks identified and analysed and use of resources is understood and maximised.



In addition, the postholder will deputise for the Assistant Director of Finance - Strategic Finance, as appropriate, providing leadership and demonstrating expert accounting and business knowledge, analytical support and clear presentation of complex financial and other information to clinical and non-clinical colleagues. They will constructively and positively challenge all aspects of the financial and business performance of the Trust and local ICS.

This role will:

Support and influence strategic, clinical, operational and commercial decision making; Interpret, explain and drive financial planning assumptions and reporting; Advise on application of medium-/longer-term planning assumptions, external and internal context, and commercial opportunities; Analyse, advise on and mitigate future financial risk in the organisation.

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.



We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.



As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.



We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack:

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/



Financial Strategy and Planning



1. Lead the financial development and delivery of the medium to long-term financial strategy. The post holder will work with highly complex data, facts and situations requiring analysis, interpretations and comparisons on a range of options and recommending decisions on the most appropriate approach.



2. Development, implementation and maintenance of a strategic finance model, which will enable and support the formulation of medium and long-term financial planning, scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis.



3. Identification and analysis of the consequences of risks of service changes and national financial and other policy developments.



4. To develop and maintain medium and long-term financial models and business plans covering three and five year financial periods to ensure the financial viability of the Trust, taking account of the changing financial regime and areas of uncertainty of income and expenditure. The plans should reflect the triangulation of activity, workforce and financial principles, be aligned to the strategy and vision of the Trust and set the annual parameters of planning and budget production.



Strategic Developments, Transactions and Trust-wide Business Cases



1. Provide expert financial support to the development and presentation of strategic developments and significant business cases(include Five Case Model) where all objectives will be a consideration e.g. joint ventures, subsidiaries, ICS and network collaborations, acquisitions, commercial/income generative schemes, productivity improvements, transformation schemes and service improvements.



2. This will include providing appropriate financial, technical, environmental and organisational information to inform the process and ensuring projects are appropriately resourced; as well as challenging and verifying financial assumptions being made in the Trust and the local health economy to ensure that plans are made on a robust financial basis that maximise value for money (financial appraisal and due diligence).



3. Supports and influences decision making by providing expert financial information in support of future significant financial transactions, advising the on the financial implications.



Governance



1. Support the review and maintenance of the Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures to ensure these operate as designed and provide appropriate levels of assurance on accuracy, completeness and anti-fraud measures.



2. In conjunction with Internal Audit conduct reviews to ensure that the financial control environment is operating effectively and that information is shared with the Audit Committee for assurance purposes.



3. Ensure that operational and strategic financial risks are identified and properly assessed so that adequate arrangements for managing them can be implemented.



Communication



1. The post holder will be required to write high quality papers on all financial accounting, reporting and related issues; with appropriate consideration of purpose, background, guidance i.e. relevant accounting standards, laws and regulations, policies, materiality, analysis, risk, conclusions/recommendations.



2. The post holder will be required to present highly complex and highly sensitive financial information to large audiences of varying experience, disciplines and seniority. At times this will involve delivering difficult messages and contentious information where there may be significant barriers to acceptance.



3. Attend Group, Committee and Board meetings, as required providing responses, both written and verbal, on financial performance issues. This will often include complex issues, which are open to interpretation.



4. Support building effective relationships across providers, commissioners and systems for the region.



5. Represent the Trust and its interests at ICS, regional/national and public meetings/events as required, acting independently, decisively and effectively in sensitive and political situations.



Service Delivery and Improvement



1. Maintain an up to date, in depth specialist knowledge - theory and experience - of financial and accounting procedures, financial aspects of relevant legislation and financial policies (governmental and NHS) and changes in planning and delivery arrangements at local, regional and national levels. In response, lead on and ensure that Trust policy and procedures are up-to-date and communications are developed and deployed as appropriate.



2. Coordinate identification and analysis of the consequences and risks of short and long term local service changes and national financial and other policy developments; ensuring that any impacts are communicated/escalated and understood.



3. Supports the development of the Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and ensures they are followed across the Trust, involving training and advising staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.



4. Leads innovative and continuous process review and improvement for Planning and Delivery activities, to ensure that:



i. Processes and procedures are up-to-date, relevant and efficient, minimising manual transactions, and delivering standardisation;



ii. Reporting solutions are cutting edge and effective;



iii. Financial systems are appropriate, efficient and effectively used; and



iv. Governance arrangements are aligned and adequate.



5. Contributes to and influences process improvement and transformation throughout the Trust to ensure financial requirements are appropriately met and financial governance is maintained.



People Management and Development



1. Maintain an up to date, in depth specialist knowledge - theory and experience - of financial and accounting procedures, financial aspects of NHS legislation and NHS financial policies. Ensure that this information is shared with senior finance team and the impact understood; together with cascade of information to relevant stakeholders.



2. Ensure that Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) are followed within the Division and cross-Trust, involving training and advising staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.



Patient Care Delivery



Ensures the best use of resources to support patient care.

Learning and Development



Attend mandatory training updates as required. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager Participate in the Trust's appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.

This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.



The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.