Head of Financial Performance

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Financial Performance to join the Finance Team at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. The Head of Financial Performance will support the Trust by driving two key workstreams, the delivery of the Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) and leading on strategic initiatives across the Group including its trading subsidiary Healthcare Partners Limited.

This post offers an exciting career opportunity working within a friendly and progressive organisation. We understand, encourage and celebrate diversity, making RSFT NHS Finance team a place where we all feel we belong. The Trust was awarded “outstanding” for use of resources and is level 2 accredited on the One NHS Finance/ Skills Development Network “Towards Excellence” programme.

We operate a flexible work pattern and this role is hybrid with work across RSFT and the Group’s sites as well as working from home.. The Trust has access to a range of training and development opportunities provided both internally and externally.

Main duties of the job

The Head of Financial Performance will play a pivotal role in supporting the Trust to deliver sustainable financial improvement, with a particular focus on the development, monitoring and delivery of the Cost Improvement Plan (CIP) and the financial governance of the Trust’s trading subsidiary, HPL. The post holder will work closely with senior finance, operational and corporate colleagues across the Trust, its subsidiary, and the Trust Group to ensure robust financial performance, effective decision making and compliance with NHS financial frameworks. This role requires a highly skilled finance professional capable of analysing complex financial information, influencing senior stakeholders, and driving improvements in financial processes, reporting and governance. Although the postholder will not have direct line management responsibility, they will provide leadership, expert advice and direction to colleagues across finance, operations and the subsidiary to ensure delivery of key financial objectives. The postholder will act as a senior representative of the Finance Directorate, providing authoritative advice on financial performance, accounting treatment, business cases, investment decisions and the financial implications of strategic initiatives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• CIP leadership — Lead the financial oversight, modelling and monitoring of delivery of the Trust’s Cost Improvement Plan, ensuring schemes are robust, deliverable and aligned to operational and strategic priorities. •    Scheme Delivery – Using a “PMO” style approach support delivery of the CIP Programme •    Accounting model review — Lead a comprehensive review of the accounting treatment, processes and financial controls of the Trust’s trading subsidiary. •    Group model alignment — Ensure accounting policies and processes are aligned across the parent Trust and the partner Trust within the group model. •    Policy review – Review of policy and procedure at HPL and recommend and implement policy changes as required. Create and implement where gaps are identified  •    Technical accounting — Provide expert advice on complex accounting matters including service concessions, right of use assets, consolidation, intercompany transactions and VAT implications. •    Subsidiary oversight — Support the subsidiary Board and management team to strengthen financial governance, reporting and compliance with NHS and statutory requirements. •    Operational Finance – Expert knowledge in the operational working of a Finance Team to understand and advise on the target operating model, including recommendations across a Group and multi-site model. 3. Strategic Financial Leadership •    Influencing and persuasion — Influence senior operational and clinical leaders to support financially sustainable decision making. •    Business case evaluation — Provide expert financial appraisal of business cases, investments and service developments. •    Benchmarking and efficiency — Lead benchmarking and productivity analysis to identify opportunities for improvement. •    Financial stewardship — Promote strong financial governance, value for money and effective use of public funds.