Band 8B - Finance Business Partner

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We’re proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Job overview

1 WTE Based at Barnet Hospital

To support the operational and non-operational managers of a number specified divisions and service lines in delivering their financial strategy and key financial goals, through the provision of high quality financial management, control and planning services, advice and support. This involves strategic, organisational and operational discussion, analysis and reporting to enable the efficient and effective use of service line resources.

Main duties of the job

1. To provide financial support to development of divisional FIP/ savings plans and monitor the delivery of these plans.
2. Responsible for the preparation and review of business cases ensuring that all costs/ income/ benefits are fully understood and those decisions on new initiatives are taken with full knowledge of the financial implications.
3. Preparation of annual budgets, focused on service line profitability and including providing challenge to service line assumptions.
4. Responsible for financial negotiations in relation to service line contracts both internally and externally.
5. To enhance and develop the financial analytical support in order to help managers to develop their services in a cost-effective way. In particular the development of planning and monitoring policies and procedures.
6. As a member of a multidisciplinary management team will attend key board and committees and be involved on a daily basis with the operations of assigned service lines.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17 million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Please note that while the job description and person specification state the job title as Business Analyst, this is going through a process to be changed to Finance Business Partner. The requirements of the role are identical and it is just a different name for the role.

Person specification
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
• Expert knowledge gained through specialist training or experience.
• Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification

Desirable criteria

• Degree
• 3 A levels
• First time accountancy examination passes

Experience
Essential criteria

• Post qualification analytical financial management experience
• Successful experience of managing teams including experience of leading management accounting teams
• Experience of managing budget setting in large and highly complex organisations
• Experience of producing financial monitoring reports to Senior Management/Directors for large and highly complex organisation
• Knowledge and experience of financial systems

Desirable criteria

• Experience of managing and developing financial management teams
• NHS financial management experience
• Acute hospital financial management experience

Skills and aptitudes
Essential criteria

• Leadership qualities and influencing skills: Ability to understand complex situations, work in a professional and positive manner, meet challenging deadlines, challenge effectively while maintaining relationships, be proactive, dynamic and flexible, work autonomously, and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to operate as part of the leadership of the department, proactively identifying ways to improve and working with others in the department to initiate these changes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve highly complex financial problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, time management, and the ability to prioritize delivering to tight deadlines while managing the demands of senior stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability to use systems (initially Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word) to prepare and present accurate, clear information and identify what can be produced from other financial systems.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise.
• Flexible and able to manage workload to ensure delivery of both regular commitments and the support of Trust wide initiatives.
• The ability to provide advice and support from across all of the accounting disciplines is essential.
• Able to influence others, and present a coherent case in support of a desired outcome.
• Ability to present and explain complex financial information in a manner that can easily be understood by non-finance managers.
• Ability to analyse areas of work to identify areas which would benefit from continuous improvement.
• Confident in taking decisions when needed yet knowing when to ask advice/guidance or to gain approval before embarking on a specific course of action.
• Record of improving processes and reporting in previous roles.

Personal Qualities & attributes
Essential criteria

• Able to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
• Flexible team player, willing to ‘roll up sleeves’ where necessary.
• Able to inspire and motivate others.
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• Embraces change.
• Resilient to cope with challenge and criticism.

Values
Essential criteria

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values.

Covid-19 Vaccination
Getting vaccinated, and getting a booster, remains the best defence against COVID-19. We encourage and support staff to get COVID-19 vaccine and a booster dose as and when they are eligible.

Applications are welcome from people wishing to job share or work flexible patterns. We are committed to equal opportunities.

Please note:

• Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close this vacancy before the advertised closing date. Therefore please apply for this post as soon as you can, if you are interested and you meet the requirements of the Person Specification.
• Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.
• Interview arrangements will be communicated via email so please check your email regularly following the closing date.

Please be advised that due to exceptionally high demand, all Royal Free accommodation is at full capacity and waiting lists are being held. Average waiting times are 12 months. Please do not rely on Trust accommodation when you commence your role and ensure you investigate alternative accommodation for your arrival.

Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

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