Financial Controller (Systems & Transformation)

The Financial Services team is a central part of Imperial’s Finance function, covering financial and capital accounting, governance, transactional services, financial systems and payroll. Our work supports almost every area of the Trust, from board committees and senior leaders to clinical teams and all staff through Payroll. Following recent growth, we are creating a second Financial Controller role to work alongside the existing postholder. Together, the two FCs will broaden our leadership capacity and strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality financial services across the Trust.

About You

We are seeking a credible, forward-thinking senior finance leader who brings:

• CCAB (or equivalent) professional qualification
• Strong financial accounting, financial control and audit experience
• A track record of leading high-performing teams through change
• The ability to communicate technical issues clearly and build strong stakeholder relationships
• Experience of delivering service improvement and operating at scale
• Alignment to our values: Kind, Collaborative, Expert, Aspirational

NHS experience is welcome but not essential.

Main duties of the job

This new post will lead financial systems, transactional finance, treasury and payroll, with a clear focus on enhancing the services we provide to the organisation and putting staff development at the heart of how we do this. You will bring strong technical capability, but also the vision to shape services used by 16,000 colleagues, and to empower finance business partners to deliver their best work. A major part of the role involves leading Imperial’s contribution to the implementation of a new North West London ERP system and the development of a new shared financial services centre. You will play a key role through design, delivery and implementation, ensuring the programme drives meaningful operational and financial improvement. You will need to lead confidently through change, collaborate effectively across organisations, and balance senior leadership with a hands-on approach when needed. There is also significant opportunity to further develop our successful Payroll hub, which is poised for future growth. While the existing Financial Controller leads on reporting, audit, capital and financial planning, you will contribute actively to these areas. Success will rely on close collaboration and knowledge sharing across both FC roles and the wider management team.

Working for our organisation

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care. Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career. Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities. We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures, financial reporting standards, and financial & other aspects of relevant legislation, gained through full membership of Professional Accountancy Qualifications (CCAB) or equivalent
• Further relevant specialist CPD in technical skills and NHS financial management (including the NHS financial regime)

Desirable criteria

• Further training in formal project management approaches
• Further training in management and leadership
• Further training in IT systems, data or reporting

Experience

Essential criteria

• Providing high quality accounting services and expert financial advice and support to senior financial staff
• Managing month and year end financial processes in a timely and accurate way
• Experience of leading and managing the annual external audit cycle
• Working effectively and efficiently at senior level in a fast-changing and complex environment
• Leading and managing high-performing teams, and developing staff competences and behaviours, including managing difficult conversations
• Managing a wide range of internal and external stakeholder relationships, including external auditors, and negotiating outcomes to complex problems
• Experience of initiating and leading substantial change with an impact within the team and across the organisation
• Experience of developing policies and practices to guide financial management, and of delivering training to service users
• Experience of managing or working with transactional financial services including maintaining a suitable control environment

Desirable criteria

• Experience of managing outsourced financial services
• Experience of providing financial support to business cases and capital projects
• Significant experience of managing complex technical accounting queries, including complex audit queries

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Essential criteria

• Expert user of relevant financial systems and advanced skills in Excel
• Able to solve complex, multi-dimensional issues, including complex accounting, financial and audit queries, requiring concentration for long periods of time and analysis of complex data and interpretation of accounting guidance
• Conveys financial concepts clearly and persuasively to non-financial managers
• Advises and persuades senior budget holders on financial issues

Desirable criteria

• Advanced skills in relevant financial systems and tools (including advanced Excel, Power BI or similar)

Right to work

If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available.