Assistant Director of Finance, Accounting and Capital

Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking an outstanding finance leader to join its Finance Directorate as Assistant Director of Finance, Accounting and Capital. This high-profile senior leadership opportunity will appeal to ambitious and experienced professionals from the NHS, wider public sector, audit, infrastructure, regulated industries or complex corporate environments who are looking to make a meaningful impact in a large and diverse public service organisation.

In partnership with the Deputy Director of Finance, Financial Assurance, you will lead the Health Board's financial accounting, statutory accounts, capital finance, governance and control functions. As a trusted advisor to Executive Directors, Board Committees and key stakeholders, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that financial information, assurance and recommendations are insightful, robust and timely, supporting informed decision-making at the highest level.

This is a rewarding opportunity to shape the future of financial stewardship within one of Wales' largest NHS organisations, driving improvements in financial governance, strengthening core processes and supporting ambitious capital investment programmes that will benefit our communities for generations to come. You will lead and inspire high-performing teams, champion continuous improvement and contribute to the delivery of high-quality healthcare services across west Wales.

Main duties of the job:

• You will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality statutory financial accounting and reporting, and internal financial control frameworks, acting as the senior finance lead for audit.
• Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will help turn assurance findings into meaningful and sustainable improvements that strengthen our financial governance and support better outcomes.
• Partnering with teams across Estates, Digital, operational and clinical services, you will lead the finance contribution to major capital programmes and investment decisions.
• From shaping business cases and long-term capital plans to overseeing financial reporting, forecasting and asset management, you will help ensure that investment delivers maximum benefit for our patients, communities, workforce and taxpayers.
• An important aspect of this role will be driving innovation and continuous improvement across financial processes, using digital solutions, automation and high-quality data to enhance efficiency, insight and decision-making.
• As a senior leader within the Finance Directorate, you will inspire and develop specialist teams, foster strong relationships with colleagues and partners, and provide trusted advice on complex and high-value financial matters, helping to shape the future of healthcare across Hywel Dda.

About us:

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties. We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services. We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest. Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire. Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings. 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers. Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services.

Person Specification:

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Essential: CCAB qualified accountant, or a recognised equivalent, with current membership. Evidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development and commitment to professional standards.
• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification or relevant leadership/management qualification.

Experience:

• Essential: Significant senior experience in financial accounting, governance and statutory reporting within a complex organisation. Experience of leading teams and delivering services through effective leadership, coaching and performance management. Demonstrable experience of working with internal/external audit, responding to recommendations and strengthening controls. Experience of capital planning and/or capital finance, including business case development and financial assurance. Proven ability to operate at senior leadership level in a complex, politically sensitive environment, providing advice and challenge to Executive Directors, Committees, Boards or equivalent senior forums. Experience of working across organisational boundaries, including with shared service partners, procurement teams, audit bodies, Welsh Government or comparable external stakeholders. Experience of leading significant finance process improvement or transformation, with evidence of delivering sustainable benefits. Experience of providing strategic oversight of financial information systems and information resources, including system development, implementation, data quality, digital reporting, control improvement and ongoing optimisation.
• Desirable: Experience in NHS Wales, wider NHS, or public sector environment with knowledge of relevant governance frameworks. Experience of major capital schemes/programmes and project governance (e.g., capital programme boards).

Other:

• Essential: Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and accountability, with a strong commitment to public value and stewardship. Collaborative and inclusive leadership style; able to build trust and effective relationships across diverse teams. Resilient and adaptable, able to lead through ambiguity and change. Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to improving outcomes for patients and communities. Ability to travel across Hywel Dda UHB sites and attend meetings across the country as required.
• Desirable: Track record of applying innovation to strengthen finance governance, assurance or service delivery. Welsh Speaker (Level 1).