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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance team, manage budgets, and provide strategic financial leadership.
- Company: Join Oxford University Hospitals, a leading NHS Trust dedicated to healthcare excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare finance while fostering a culture of sustainability and improvement.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with extensive experience in NHS finance and team leadership.
- Other info: This role offers a chance to drive efficiency and support vital healthcare services.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated qualified accountant to lead the finance team of the Corporate, Operational Services, Estates and Education divisions at Oxford University Hospitals. To succeed in this role, you will be a self-motivated, proactive individual with excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills, and have a proven track record of delivery. You will provide a comprehensive business partnering service to the division, including strategic leadership, financial planning and reporting, and developing plans for efficiency programmes, as well as providing value through financial advice and challenge. The role will also involve managing the divisional finance team and driving improvement and development within the team. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated finance professional to contribute to driving improvement, supporting the Trust in achieving its goals, and ensuring the financial sustainability of services.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Finance – Corporate is a senior leadership role responsible for delivering comprehensive financial management across the Trust’s Corporate, Operational Services (OS), Estates, and Education divisions. The role provides strategic financial leadership, ensuring the effective management of income, expenditure, workforce, and activity in alignment with performance targets. Key responsibilities include preparing accurate financial reports, leading on the month-end process, and supporting divisional management teams in evaluating business cases for change. The role also ensures compliance with Trust financial policies while developing financial awareness among non-finance managers. The post holder will lead the budgeting process, ensuring annual budgets are agreed and implemented, and will monitor financial performance, identifying corrective actions as necessary to achieve divisional targets. A critical focus will be on delivering efficiencies and supporting cost improvement plans to maintain the Trust’s long-term financial viability. In addition to overseeing the management accounting team, the role ensures robust financial systems and processes are in place to deliver timely, accurate reporting. Finally, the Head of Finance – Corporate supports strategic initiatives such as elective care recovery and operational targets, driving improvements while fostering a culture of financial sustainability and shared learning across the Trust.
Person specification
- Education & Qualifications
- Qualified Accountant
- Registered and active Continued Professional Development
- Evidence of continuous formal management development
- Extensive experience of operating at a strategic or corporate level in a complex organisational environment, preferably NHS
- Substantial experience of developing business cases in the NHS.
- Substantial experience of leading and managing teams.
- Experience of advising and working in tandem with senior managers, clinicians and directors of a large NHS organisation
- Experience of presenting complex technical information to large groups of non-finance professionals
- Experience of developing and delivering cost improvement programmes in a complex NHS environment
- Significant experience of working in a devolved management structure
- Expert knowledge of the NHS financial regime and its application to an NHS provider
- Expert knowledge of the NHS Capital regime
- Expert knowledge of the NHS Business Case process and experience of developing cases
- Knowledge of service line reporting, Patient Level Costing and NHS Reference Costs
- Knowledge of Payment by Results and NHS Contracting
- Expert knowledge of performance reporting and performance management
- Able to prioritise workload where no precedent exists
- Able to prioritise tasks in complex project environments.
- Able to analyse and interpret complex data, and to present this clearly
- Able to operate in complex environments where leadership is diffuse
- Able to demonstrate an aptitude for working in teams
- Able to make clear and autonomous decisions and to be accountable for them
- Able to communicate complex technical data in a rigorous manner, utilising a variety of media
- Able to build relationships of trust with external and internal stakeholders
- Able to lead staff in a manner which promotes a customer focus
- Able to manage conflict in an open manner
- Able to plan and lead complex managerial processes
- Able to project plan in a coherent way
- Able to develop several options to resolve highly complex problems
- Able to work in a “matrix” way in a complex environment
Head of Finance - Corporate employer: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance - Corporate
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the NHS finance sector. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet current employees and learn about their experiences. This can give you valuable insights into the role and help you make connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial challenges faced by NHS organisations, particularly in the areas of corporate services and operational efficiency. Being able to discuss these issues intelligently during interviews will demonstrate your understanding and commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your leadership skills by gathering examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven improvements in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to lead in a complex environment will be crucial for this senior position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the financial policies and strategic initiatives of Oxford University Hospitals. Understanding their current goals and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how your experience aligns with their needs during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance - Corporate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a qualified accountant, particularly in strategic financial leadership and team management. Use specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your ability to deliver financial reports and manage budgets effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the Trust's mission. Highlight your extensive experience in the NHS and your proven track record of developing business cases and leading teams. Be sure to mention how you can contribute to the financial sustainability of the services.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your expert knowledge of the NHS financial regime and your analytical skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully communicated complex financial data to non-finance professionals and led cost improvement programmes in previous roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Head of Finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in complex environments like the NHS. Highlight your experience in managing and developing finance teams.
✨Understand the NHS Financial Regime
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the NHS financial regime and its application. Be ready to discuss how this knowledge has influenced your previous roles and how you can apply it to ensure financial sustainability within the Trust.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that delve into your technical expertise, especially regarding financial reporting and performance management. Brush up on key concepts such as service line reporting and Payment by Results, and be prepared to explain them clearly.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
The role requires strategic financial leadership, so be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to strategic initiatives in the past. Think about specific examples where your financial planning and reporting have driven improvements or efficiencies.
