Job summary
This is an exciting and influential opportunity to join WWL's senior finance leadership team as Operational Director of Finance -- a pivotal role at the heart of one of Greater Manchester's most forward-looking provider organisations. Following the successful promotion of the current postholder to a role in the wider health economy, this position offers the chance to shape how we deliver sustainable, system-wide value in a fast-evolving NHS landscape.
You will lead a talented and well-established finance team and bring exceptional foresight -- anticipating future pressures, interpreting emerging trends and shaping the Trust's financial strategy over the medium term. Working closely with the Chief Finance Officer, Tabitha Gardiner, you will ensure that robust financial control is matched by clear strategic planning, helping WWL remain financially agile and ready for the future.
Main duties of the job
You will be a CCAB-qualified (or equivalent) finance leader with significant senior experience in NHS finance or a similarly complex organisation.
You will combine a deep understanding of operational financial management with the strategic ability to see around corners -- identifying early warning signs, interpreting national and system trends, and using data and insight to inform decision-making.
A natural collaborator, you will build trust and confidence across clinical, operational and system partners, using your analytical skills to support transformation and long-term planning. You will thrive in a dynamic environment, balancing assurance and innovation to help shape a sustainable financial future for WWL.
Above all, you will share WWL's values -- People at the Heart, Kind and Respectful, Listen and Involve, One Team -- and you'll role model these in the way you lead, influence and develop others.
About us
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Operational Director of Finance has responsibility for strategic and operational finance on a day-to-day basis including financial management, financial services, financial planning, financial transformation, procurement, payroll and capital. The role will require the development and oversight of robust systems and processes to ensure financial probity. The post will provide leadership and oversight of Standing Financial Instructions, external assurance requirements and other relevant policies. The post holder is responsible for reporting the financial position to the Trust Executive and the Trust Board.
Beyond strong operational stewardship, this role is about looking ahead bringing insight, foresight and strategic perspective to our financial leadership. We are seeking a professional who can combine operational excellence with the ability to anticipate challenges, interpret emerging trends and shape the Trusts financial strategy over the medium term.
You will play a key role in horizon scanning across the local system and the wider NHS, helping WWL and its partners to plan with confidence amid changing demand, regulation and funding environments. By working closely with the Chief Finance Officer, you will help to ensure that financial sustainability is underpinned by strong strategic planning and proactive risk management, not reactive control.
As part of the Trusts senior finance team, you will be instrumental in supporting WWLs contribution to the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Systems financial recovery and sustainability plans, ensuring that partnership working and shared foresight drive efficiencies, innovation, and value for patients.
The role requires strong working relationships with partners within the Wigan Locality including, Local Authority and ICB colleagues and will lead the commissioning negotiations with commissioners. WWL also has a strong collaborative working relationship with our neighboring Trust through a cluster working relationship which supports our operational and strategic objectives to be delivered.
The post holder has direct line management of the Senior Finance Team and will input into all key senior Trust meetings and decisions. They will continue the ongoing development of the Finance team to ensure it becomes the benchmark within the NHS of a professional, innovative, motivated, effective Finance team.
The Operational Director of Finance will lead the delivery of annual financial plans and their translation into agreed budgets across the organisation, (including devolved financial management strategy) inclusive of required CIP targets.
When required, the role will also provide leadership for financial recovery including delivery. The post holder will also lead on improving the development of SLR/SLM with clinical engagement. The post holder will also have a key supporting role in the development of the following strategies: finance, commercial development, financial planning & information.
The Operational Director of Finance will deputise for the Chief Finance Officer as appropriate and undertake all duties in line with the requirements of the role to support the Chief Finance Officer. The post has corporate responsibilities as a senior member of the Trust including On-Call.
If you are a strategic finance leader who wants to make a lasting impact on a progressive, community-focused Trust and play a system-wide role across Greater Manchester we would be delighted to hear from you
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Operational Director of Finance has responsibility for strategic and operational finance on a day-to-day basis including financial management, financial services, financial planning, financial transformation, procurement, payroll and capital. The role will require the development and oversight of robust systems and processes to ensure financial probity. The post will provide leadership and oversight of Standing Financial Instructions, external assurance requirements and other relevant policies. The post holder is responsible for reporting the financial position to the Trust Executive and the Trust Board.
Beyond strong operational stewardship, this role is about looking ahead bringing insight, foresight and strategic perspective to our financial leadership. We are seeking a professional who can combine operational excellence with the ability to anticipate challenges, interpret emerging trends and shape the Trusts financial strategy over the medium term.
You will play a key role in horizon scanning across the local system and the wider NHS, helping WWL and its partners to plan with confidence amid changing demand, regulation and funding environments. By working closely with the Chief Finance Officer, you will help to ensure that financial sustainability is underpinned by strong strategic planning and proactive risk management, not reactive control.
As part of the Trusts senior finance team, you will be instrumental in supporting WWLs contribution to the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Systems financial recovery and sustainability plans, ensuring that partnership working and shared foresight drive efficiencies, innovation, and value for patients.
The role requires strong working relationships with partners within the Wigan Locality including, Local Authority and ICB colleagues and will lead the commissioning negotiations with commissioners. WWL also has a strong collaborative working relationship with our neighboring Trust through a cluster working relationship which supports our operational and strategic objectives to be delivered.
The post holder has direct line management of the Senior Finance Team and will input into all key senior Trust meetings and decisions. They will continue the ongoing development of the Finance team to ensure it becomes the benchmark within the NHS of a professional, innovative, motivated, effective Finance team.
The Operational Director of Finance will lead the delivery of annual financial plans and their translation into agreed budgets across the organisation, (including devolved financial management strategy) inclusive of required CIP targets.
When required, the role will also provide leadership for financial recovery including delivery. The post holder will also lead on improving the development of SLR/SLM with clinical engagement. The post holder will also have a key supporting role in the development of the following strategies: finance, commercial development, financial planning & information.
The Operational Director of Finance will deputise for the Chief Finance Officer as appropriate and undertake all duties in line with the requirements of the role to support the Chief Finance Officer. The post has corporate responsibilities as a senior member of the Trust including On-Call.
If you are a strategic finance leader who wants to make a lasting impact on a progressive, community-focused Trust and play a system-wide role across Greater Manchester we would be delighted to hear from you
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB Qualified
- Demonstrable CPD as recognised by professional body
Desirable
- Further managerial qualification e.g. MBA
- Completion of recognised leadership development program
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience
- NHS finance knowledge or experience
- Experience at a senior level within an acute setting or equivalent
- Experience of leading budget setting
- Experience of contributing to strategic financial planning
- Experience of contributing to and leading the development and delivery of sustainable CIP/SAVI programs, using a "turnaround" approach
- Experience of leading the financial aspect of contract negotiations
- Experience in the preparation of statutory and non-statutory periodic and ad hoc financial returns e.g. final accounts, Ref Cost Submission, PFR returns, capital charges returns
- Experience with dealing with locality partners
- Experience of leading the Business planning functions of a large acute organisation or equivalent
- Experience in the preparation of complex capital investment cases
- Experience in securing value for money in the application of the Trusts resources
- Experience of leading aspects of the provision of financial governance and assurance to the Trust Board and stakeholders or equivalent
- Experience of delivering complex information to an organisation in a digestible and easily understandable way
- Experience, through regular attendance at Board sub committees e.g. Audit Committees
Desirable
- Experience of meaningful change management
- Experience of new business systems implementation
- Experience of the provision of reports to a range of users including Trust Boards
- Experience of leading, managing and developing teams
- Broad range of finance exposure covering financial services and financial management
- Internal or external Audit experience
- Delivery of financial service within a shared services environment
- Experience of dealing with non- NHS public bodies e.g. Voluntary sector
- Experience of working within a shared services environment for the provision of Payroll, Business Systems and procurement as a minimum
- Experience of leading other professionally qualified staff
- Experience of leading multi- disciplined teams
Skills
Essential
- Highly numerate
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to influence a range of stakeholders including Directors and Non-Executive Directors of the Trust
- Ability to lead and motivate teams through complex activities such as service redesign
- Ability to balance strategic planning with delivery of short term annual targets
- Ability to identify new opportunities to build sustainable business developments and consider these within a "commercial" framework
- Ability to scan the horizon to identify and plan for potential financial and service risk.
- Ability to act as a senior corporate figure across the organisation
- Innovative and creative to develop a culture of innovation and improvement
- Achievement focused to "get things done"
Additional
Essential
- Sets high standards for self and others
- Is confident taking charge and shows optimism and resilience to inspire others with positive messages.
- Innovative thinker in the development of alternative delivery methods
- Self-directing and Self reliant and able to deal with a high degree of ambiguity
- Works effectively to deadlines
- Motivational leader who works hard to ensure all the team deliver to their highest potential, and takes time to celebrate success.
- Ambitious and innovative with a goal to set the benchmark for excellence
- Able to travel across the region, country as required to attend meetings
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- CCAB Qualified
- Demonstrable CPD as recognised by professional body
Desirable
- Further managerial qualification e.g. MBA
- Completion of recognised leadership development program
Experience
Essential
- Significant post qualification experience
- NHS finance knowledge or experience
- Experience at a senior level within an acute setting or equivalent
- Experience of leading budget setting
- Experience of contributing to strategic financial planning
- Experience of contributing to and leading the development and delivery of sustainable CIP/SAVI programs, using a "turnaround" approach
- Experience of leading the financial aspect of contract negotiations
- Experience in the preparation of statutory and non-statutory periodic and ad hoc financial returns e.g. final accounts, Ref Cost Submission, PFR returns, capital charges returns
- Experience with dealing with locality partners
- Experience of leading the Business planning functions of a large acute organisation or equivalent
- Experience in the preparation of complex capital investment cases
- Experience in securing value for money in the application of the Trusts resources
- Experience of leading aspects of the provision of financial governance and assurance to the Trust Board and stakeholders or equivalent
- Experience of delivering complex information to an organisation in a digestible and easily understandable way
- Experience, through regular attendance at Board sub committees e.g. Audit Committees
Desirable
- Experience of meaningful change management
- Experience of new business systems implementation
- Experience of the provision of reports to a range of users including Trust Boards
- Experience of leading, managing and developing teams
- Broad range of finance exposure covering financial services and financial management
- Internal or external Audit experience
- Delivery of financial service within a shared services environment
- Experience of dealing with non- NHS public bodies e.g. Voluntary sector
- Experience of working within a shared services environment for the provision of Payroll, Business Systems and procurement as a minimum
- Experience of leading other professionally qualified staff
- Experience of leading multi- disciplined teams
Skills
Essential
- Highly numerate
- Excellent analytical skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to influence a range of stakeholders including Directors and Non-Executive Directors of the Trust
- Ability to lead and motivate teams through complex activities such as service redesign
- Ability to balance strategic planning with delivery of short term annual targets
- Ability to identify new opportunities to build sustainable business developments and consider these within a "commercial" framework
- Ability to scan the horizon to identify and plan for potential financial and service risk.
- Ability to act as a senior corporate figure across the organisation
- Innovative and creative to develop a culture of innovation and improvement
- Achievement focused to "get things done"
Additional
Essential
- Sets high standards for self and others
- Is confident taking charge and shows optimism and resilience to inspire others with positive messages.
- Innovative thinker in the development of alternative delivery methods
- Self-directing and Self reliant and able to deal with a high degree of ambiguity
- Works effectively to deadlines
- Motivational leader who works hard to ensure all the team deliver to their highest potential, and takes time to celebrate success.
- Ambitious and innovative with a goal to set the benchmark for excellence
- Able to travel across the region, country as required to attend meetings
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
