Assistant Director of Financial Improvement in Nottingham

Finance is central to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s strategic ambition to deliver outstanding patient and clinical outcomes and world‑class experience for both patients and staff. As a senior leader within the Finance Directorate, the Assistant Director of Finance, Financial Improvement, is responsible for leading Trust‑wide efforts to deliver sustained financial transformation across the Trust.

The postholder is responsible for strategic planning, service improvement and embedding methodologies that drive efficiency, productivity and value for money across the organisation and the Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System. This post holds Trust‑wide responsibility for the strategic direction, operational delivery, and continuous development of the Trust’s Financial Improvement function.

Operating at a senior level, the post holder will lead the design and development of evidence‑based financial improvement practices across clinical and corporate services, ensuring that productivity gains and financial planning are rigorously developed, tracked and realised. The Trust is delivering an ambitious portfolio of financial and operational improvements. Realising these benefits requires proactive and visible leadership, strategic oversight and close collaboration across all Care Groups, specialities services, systems and ISS partners.

Main Duties of the Job

The post-holder will be joining a high‑performing and aspirational finance team. NUH’s Finance function is committed to national leadership standards, empowered by modern technologies, an inclusive and empowering culture, and an investment in staff development. All team members are actively supported in becoming experts in their field across the organisation and wider Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System, helping them reach their full potential.

While this post is not a direct budget holder, the role of Assistant Director of Finance, Financial Improvement carries strategic accountability for enabling substantial financial benefits and outcomes. This is achieved through strategic expert leadership, effective stakeholder engagement, and robust governance of benefits realisation and performance delivery.

The role demands gravitas, influence, and resilience to engage senior leaders, challenge constructively, and embed financial accountability at every level of the organisation. As a recognised authority in financial transformation, the postholder will act as a visible leader, trusted advisor, and strategic influencer, driving the Trust’s financial efficiency agenda and shaping strategic decisions.

Operating across Board, executive, and system levels, they will lead financial strategy through expert guidance, performance assurance, and innovation, enabling the Trust to deliver measurable improvements in value, productivity, and sustainability.

Working with Our Organisation

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation. We welcome new ideas to help develop our team and deliver world‑class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career! We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled.

Person Specification

Training & Qualifications

• Educated to Masters degree level or equivalent experience to PhD level
• Professional Accountancy Qualification (i.e. Fully Qualified member of CCAB)
• Completion of evidenced on‑going Continuing Professional Development (CPD), in accordance with guidelines produced by the relevant Professional Accountancy Body

Experience

• Extensive experience of financial improvement and change management
• Extensive experience of Financial Management including substantial post qualification experience operating at a strategic level
• Experience of working at a strategic level, with the ability to recognise direction and full understanding and implications of NHS policy and guidance
• Proven track record of delivering effecting change within a financial environment
• Experience of working strategically with system partners
• Extensive experience in the financial aspects of the business planning process
• Experience of working in a management position within a provider Trust clinical directorate
• Experience of working with external professional advisors

Communication and Relationship Skills

• Able to communicate highly complex technical data in a rigorous and accessible manner, utilising a variety of media
• Excellent written communications skills
• Able to build trusted relationships with both external and internal stakeholders
• Able to lead staff in a manner which promotes a customer focus and in line with the Trust’s values and behaviours
• Able to manage conflict in an open, professional and constructive manner

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Capacity to make judgements involving highly complex data
• Ability to present analysis and interpretation of NHS acute information, both financial and non‑financial
• Ability to prioritise workload in situations where no precedent exists
• Ability to specify information requirements and manage the production of that information to agreed standards
• Able to prioritise tasks within highly complex projects
• Ability to interpret national direction of travel in areas such as health policy, costing, contracting, financial management and financial improvement and productivity
• Able to demonstrate rigour and judgement when presenting complex technical issues to senior managers

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. Applicants are kindly requested to refrain from using AI at any stage during the recruitment process.