Associate Director for Financial Improvement

The Associate Director of Financial Improvement is responsible for leading, co-ordinating and managing the end-to-end delivery of the Trust's CIP programme. This includes oversight of all Divisional CIP programmes, cross-divisional, and Trust-wide initiatives and their delivery performance. The role ensures full alignment to Trust, ICs, and national priorities, and is responsible for identifying, developing and delivering sufficient programmes and projects to meet annual CIP targets of approximately £30m across Divisions and Trust-wide schemes.

To lead the identification and development of key programmes of work that build improvement capability and drive cultural change across the organisation. This will support sustained Trust-wide improvement through embedding a culture of continuous financial improvement and understanding, forming part of the business-as-usual approach to financial sustainability.

The role will work closely with the leads from teams such as Continuous Improvement and Transformation to establish a fully aligned, integrated performance improvement function across the Trust. To lead the identification of priority workstreams, investigation areas, projects and programmes that deliver measurable financial improvements. This will involve detailed analysis of the Trust's full range of data sets, from granular patient level information through to Trust-wide performance data, and the development of robust evidence bases to support the articulation and prioritisation of opportunities with senior Trust leaders.

To lead and maintain robust, effective and transparent governance and reporting systems for the CIP programme. Providing clear assurance to the Trust Board and Executive Team on delivery, risks, mitigations and overall programme performance, and ensuring appropriate escalation and corrective action where delivery is off track.

To provide clear and timely escalation to the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and other relevant Executive Team members and SROs on material risks or issues impacting CIP delivery, exercising professional judgement to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect the Trust's financial position.

To interpret and utilise highly complex performance, operational and financial information to produce high quality reports and regular briefings for the Executive Team, providing clear assurance on progress, risks and delivery of the Trust's CIP programme.

To apply analytics and business intelligence to identify and quantify opportunities for improved financial efficiency and productivity, supporting service teams to drive operational excellence and deliver sustainable financial improvement across their areas.

Provides specialist leadership and expert input into highly complex financial improvement schemes, projects and programmes, acting as a senior member of relevant Service Improvement project teams, and when required, holding overall responsibility for project delivery. This will include ensuring full compliance with Trust strategic and operational policies and objectives, and taking accountability for completion, quality assurance and formal sign off all relevant Quality Impact Assessments (QIAs) and associated governance documentation.

To act as a specialist Trust wide resource, supporting Clinical Divisions to develop and strengthen continuous improvement capability in financial improvement and productivity. To ensure all CIP related financial risks, including those within the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) and assigned to the CFO, are current and aligned to DMO intelligence and the CIP delivery performance.

To lead, on behalf of the CFO, the development and delivery of the annual, and Medium-Term CIP plans ensuring they are robust, credible and aligned to local system priorities and national requirements and the Trust's strategic objectives, providing a clear and sustainable route to financial recovery.

To lead the Trust's RPA capability on behalf of the CFO, providing oversight of contractual arrangements, pipeline development and delivery of agreed automation projects. This will include ensuring RPA initiatives are strategically aligned, effectively governed and deliver tangible efficiency and financial benefits, while supporting service teams to embed automation as part of wider continuous improvement and transformation activity.

To use strong interpersonal and influencing skills to communicate sensitive, complex, and potentially contentious information in a clear, diplomatic and credible manner to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. Using specialist knowledge and professional judgement, to regularly present and explain the implications of national policy and guidance to diverse internal stakeholders, including both clinical and non-clinical colleagues.

Supporting constructive challenge, shared understanding and the development of common strategic vision in an environment where perspectives and priorities may differ.

To provide senior analytical oversight of NHS England Productivity Opportunity Packs, assessing their applicability to the Trust and identifying high-value opportunities for CIP development. To translate national productivity intelligence into tailored divisional opportunity packs that guide focus on cost reduction, productivity improvement and the delivery of cashout financial benefits.

To undertake any other duties and tasks relevant to the role in line.