Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Director of Finance to join the ICB, supporting the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial in leading all aspects of the finance function. The role spans costing and productivity, business partnering, financial management and statutory accounts, requiring a skilled expert able to deliver confidently and deputise when needed.
A strong business partner, the post holder will work flexibly to develop innovative approaches that support new ways of working and enable new care models. They will oversee Planning and Productivity, Business Partnering, Financial Management and Financial Services teams, and work closely with the Directors of Commercial and Capital and Estates as part of the wider leadership team.
The role requires providing strategic and operational financial leadership across organisational and system priorities, offering expert accounting and business insight, and presenting complex financial information clearly to clinical and nonclinical colleagues.
Working autonomously, the Director of Finance will help negotiate, agree and deliver the ICB strategy, bringing partners together across multiple programmes and overseeing resource contributions. As the finance function evolves, the post holder will support the shift to Neighbourhood Health, develop new payment models, focus on outcomes based commissioning and drive value based improvements.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will hold a CCAB qualification and work closely with the Deputy Directors across the Finance and Commercial function to support multidisciplinary teams. As a result, you will demonstrate exemplary management skills, capable of bringing cohesion to a team with common aims and objectives.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Develop and implement policy and / or service developments related to Finance.
Translating high-level policy commitments from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan, into programmes that will deliver improved outcomes and sustainable services for the local population
Accountability for the financial control environment of the organisation, working with the Associate Directors and Heads of Finance to ensure that appropriate Standing Financial Instructions, Standing orders, financial policies and procedures are in place.
Drive change within the finance team, championing the move to focusing on trends, forecasting and run rates and ensuring processes are in place to deliver the shift to earlier reporting cycles
Provision of expert financial advice and analysis as required to support the Executive Committee and Board in decision making.
Lead the development of Financial Strategy for the ICB.
Please refer to attached Job Description and Person Specification for more details regarding the role
*Interviews will be held on 12 March 2026
About us
Mid and South Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for planning and delivering local health and care services across Mid and South Essex. As part of changes to the NHS commissioning landscape, the ICB will transition to the new Essex ICB on 1 April 2026. This role will be appointed within the Essex ICB structure, working across the county to improve the health of local people. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
By establishing clear and transparent funding arrangements, triangulated with activity and workforce within our system we aim to support our collective understanding of how resources are allocated across the system for both revenue and capital.
Our Director of Finance will lead the Finance function with the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial. The team plays a key part in delivering the organisations strategic and this role will be expected to operate as part of the organisations wider leadership team.
Leading across the whole span of finance, from costing and productivity, business partnering and statutory accounts delivery the Director of Finance will be a subject matter expert with the credibility to deliver and deputise for the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial when required. A business partner in themselves, they will be expected to work flexibly to deliver innovative approaches to new ways of working and enabling new models of care for the system.
The Director of Finance, Director of Commercial and Director of Estates will work closely together supporting each others objectives to ensure the Directorate delivers together.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial and the CEO in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
- From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
- From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
- From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
The post holder will be required to work autonomously and will ultimately be responsible for helping deliver the negotiation, agreement and delivery of ICB strategy. The post holder will be responsible for bringing partners together to agree multiple programmes of work and also for agreeing contribution of resources to these programmes.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
- Develop and implement policy and / or service developments related to Finance.
- Translating high-level policy commitments from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan, into programmes that will deliver improved outcomes and sustainable services for the local population
- Development and oversight of relevant ICB policies
- Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
- Accountability for the financial control environment of the organization, working with the Heads of Finance to ensure that appropriate Standing Financial Instructions, Standing orders, financial policies and procedures are in place.
- Drive change within the finance team, championing the move to focusing on trends, forecasting and run rates and ensuring processes are in place to deliver the shift to earlier reporting cycles.
- Strategy and analysisUse of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making
- Analysis of large volumes of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to finance
- Turning analysis into useful insights that can inform decision making
- Present highly complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings
- Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
- Provision of expert financial advice and analysis as required to support the Executive Committee and Board in decision making.
- Lead the development of the Financial Strategy for the ICB.
- Provide leadership and responsibility for the delivery of critical strategic programmes as prioritised by the ICB/ ICS and defined by the Executive
- Analysing the risks associated with the work of the Directorate and supporting the Executive Director to report on and mitigate.
Planning and organisation
- Develop project and / or programme plans to drive delivery of complex programmes relating to finance
- Required to provide strategic leadership to business cases on behalf of the Executive Director and the Chief Executive.
- Supporting the Heads of Finance to deliver effective end to end planning, monitoring and close down of the financial position, monthly, annually and over the medium term.
- Planning for and reporting effectively to regulators, building a direct relationship with the regional and national team where required.
- Manage delivery against agreed project / programme plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
- Develop and oversee annual business plan for Finance team
- Lead on the financial reporting to the Board and sub-committees of the report, attending and presenting at committees and meetings as required.
- Ownership of the ICB plan, delivering and reporting on the ICB financial position, including Investment standards, System Development Funds
Communications and Partnerships
- Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
- Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
- Manage complex and contentious situations with stakeholders
- Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities
- Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
- Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of complex programmes that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
- Sharing complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
- Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery
- With the Executive Director of Finance & Commercial, supporting the communication and relationship with the Finance Committee and Audit Committee Chairs of the organisations. As well as other Non-Executive members as required.
- Engaging clinicians and being an ambassador for finance across the ICB.
- Close working with peers across partner organisations building networks and relationships to support improvements for the residents of Essex.
- Working with the Head of Finance to ensure strong and transparent relationships with both internal and external audit.
Financial and resource management
- Responsible for management of budget for aligned to the Directorate, including budget setting and accountability for delivering against agreed budget
Team management and capability building
- Develop and lead the team, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members
- Oversee team delivery, including objective setting and annual performance management
- Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition
- Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
- Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements
- Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition
- Act as Information Asset Owner (IAO) where nominated to do so by the Executive or senior leadership team, taking responsibility for the management of information assets created and utilised by the team
- Encouragement and support of all team members to engage in the One NHS Finance agenda, HfMA and Financial Staff Skills and professional bodies to ensure the development of a broad range of learning for team members and direct line reports.
Other
- Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver on requirements of the role
- Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
- There is an occasional requirement for intense concentration e.g. preparing and presenting Board level reports.
- Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, all senior leader portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
By establishing clear and transparent funding arrangements, triangulated with activity and workforce within our system we aim to support our collective understanding of how resources are allocated across the system for both revenue and capital.
Our Director of Finance will lead the Finance function with the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial. The team plays a key part in delivering the organisations strategic and this role will be expected to operate as part of the organisations wider leadership team.
Leading across the whole span of finance, from costing and productivity, business partnering and statutory accounts delivery the Director of Finance will be a subject matter expert with the credibility to deliver and deputise for the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial when required. A business partner in themselves, they will be expected to work flexibly to deliver innovative approaches to new ways of working and enabling new models of care for the system.
The Director of Finance, Director of Commercial and Director of Estates will work closely together supporting each others objectives to ensure the Directorate delivers together.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial and the CEO in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
- From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.
- From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.
- From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
The post holder will be required to work autonomously and will ultimately be responsible for helping deliver the negotiation, agreement and delivery of ICB strategy. The post holder will be responsible for bringing partners together to agree multiple programmes of work and also for agreeing contribution of resources to these programmes.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Policy and service development
- Develop and implement policy and / or service developments related to Finance.
- Translating high-level policy commitments from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan, into programmes that will deliver improved outcomes and sustainable services for the local population
- Development and oversight of relevant ICB policies
- Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
- Accountability for the financial control environment of the organization, working with the Heads of Finance to ensure that appropriate Standing Financial Instructions, Standing orders, financial policies and procedures are in place.
- Drive change within the finance team, championing the move to focusing on trends, forecasting and run rates and ensuring processes are in place to deliver the shift to earlier reporting cycles.
- Strategy and analysisUse of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making
- Analysis of large volumes of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to finance
- Turning analysis into useful insights that can inform decision making
- Present highly complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings
- Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
- Provision of expert financial advice and analysis as required to support the Executive Committee and Board in decision making.
- Lead the development of the Financial Strategy for the ICB.
- Provide leadership and responsibility for the delivery of critical strategic programmes as prioritised by the ICB/ ICS and defined by the Executive
- Analysing the risks associated with the work of the Directorate and supporting the Executive Director to report on and mitigate.
Planning and organisation
- Develop project and / or programme plans to drive delivery of complex programmes relating to finance
- Required to provide strategic leadership to business cases on behalf of the Executive Director and the Chief Executive.
- Supporting the Heads of Finance to deliver effective end to end planning, monitoring and close down of the financial position, monthly, annually and over the medium term.
- Planning for and reporting effectively to regulators, building a direct relationship with the regional and national team where required.
- Manage delivery against agreed project / programme plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
- Develop and oversee annual business plan for Finance team
- Lead on the financial reporting to the Board and sub-committees of the report, attending and presenting at committees and meetings as required.
- Ownership of the ICB plan, delivering and reporting on the ICB financial position, including Investment standards, System Development Funds
Communications and Partnerships
- Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership
- Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making
- Manage complex and contentious situations with stakeholders
- Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities
- Effective engagement with patients and the public as required
- Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of complex programmes that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system
- Sharing complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing
- Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery
- With the Executive Director of Finance & Commercial, supporting the communication and relationship with the Finance Committee and Audit Committee Chairs of the organisations. As well as other Non-Executive members as required.
- Engaging clinicians and being an ambassador for finance across the ICB.
- Close working with peers across partner organisations building networks and relationships to support improvements for the residents of Essex.
- Working with the Head of Finance to ensure strong and transparent relationships with both internal and external audit.
Financial and resource management
- Responsible for management of budget for aligned to the Directorate, including budget setting and accountability for delivering against agreed budget
Team management and capability building
- Develop and lead the team, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members
- Oversee team delivery, including objective setting and annual performance management
- Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition
- Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint
- Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements
- Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition
- Act as Information Asset Owner (IAO) where nominated to do so by the Executive or senior leadership team, taking responsibility for the management of information assets created and utilised by the team
- Encouragement and support of all team members to engage in the One NHS Finance agenda, HfMA and Financial Staff Skills and professional bodies to ensure the development of a broad range of learning for team members and direct line reports.
Other
- Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver on requirements of the role
- Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings
- There is an occasional requirement for intense concentration e.g. preparing and presenting Board level reports.
- Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, all senior leader portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other) and across complex health and care systems with demonstrable impact.
- Knowledge of the health, care and local government landscape, including relevant legislation, policies and guidance and an understanding of the political dynamics of healthcare
- Evidence of ability to set and manage complex budgets to deliver corporate requirements and within health and care financial frameworks
Strategy and Analysis
Essential
- Experience working at a strategic level, including evidence of use of analytical and problem solving skills to address complex problems, ability to recognise policy implications and how to manage potential competing priorities / interests in developing strategies
- Extensive experience translating complex information into clear communications for a wide range of audiences
- Demonstrable experience in scoping and delivering effective evaluations of programmes and interventions, including understanding relevant data and evaluation tools and methods for formal and informal evaluations
Governance and Assurance
Essential
- Previous experience of leading projects that require collective decision making and how to negotiate success in those situations
- A strong understanding of the role and importance of effective corporate governance, balancing the need to seek relevant board and executive support for decisions with the ability to work autonomously to drive delivery of decisions
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience
- Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
- CCAB Qualified.
Personal Attributes and Values
Essential
- Takes personal responsibility and works with a high level of integrity
- Listens to and appreciates the complexity of a range of views, adopt effective questioning techniques and an ability to negotiate
- Energy, flexibility and resilience, with an ability to adapt and respond to complex and constantly changing environments
People and Culture
Essential
- Experience in building and maintaining high functioning teams, including
- recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary
- A proven track record of compassionate leadership and experience in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity
- A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise
Partnership and Communities
Essential
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of complex programmes
- Experience in working on programmes that require cross- organisational collaboration, and an understanding of the concept and aims of whole system working
- Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, experience in successfully managing conflict, finding compromise and building consensus.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of working at a senior level in a relevant healthcare environment (NHS or other) and across complex health and care systems with demonstrable impact.
- Knowledge of the health, care and local government landscape, including relevant legislation, policies and guidance and an understanding of the political dynamics of healthcare
- Evidence of ability to set and manage complex budgets to deliver corporate requirements and within health and care financial frameworks
Strategy and Analysis
Essential
- Experience working at a strategic level, including evidence of use of analytical and problem solving skills to address complex problems, ability to recognise policy implications and how to manage potential competing priorities / interests in developing strategies
- Extensive experience translating complex information into clear communications for a wide range of audiences
- Demonstrable experience in scoping and delivering effective evaluations of programmes and interventions, including understanding relevant data and evaluation tools and methods for formal and informal evaluations
Governance and Assurance
Essential
- Previous experience of leading projects that require collective decision making and how to negotiate success in those situations
- A strong understanding of the role and importance of effective corporate governance, balancing the need to seek relevant board and executive support for decisions with the ability to work autonomously to drive delivery of decisions
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to Masters level (relevant focus) or equivalent managerial experience
- Evidence of sustained commitment to continuing professional development
- CCAB Qualified.
Personal Attributes and Values
Essential
- Takes personal responsibility and works with a high level of integrity
- Listens to and appreciates the complexity of a range of views, adopt effective questioning techniques and an ability to negotiate
- Energy, flexibility and resilience, with an ability to adapt and respond to complex and constantly changing environments
People and Culture
Essential
- Experience in building and maintaining high functioning teams, including
- recognising and promoting talent, as well as appropriately dealing with under-performance, when necessary
- A proven track record of compassionate leadership and experience in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity
- A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise
Partnership and Communities
Essential
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries in the development and delivery of complex programmes
- Experience in working on programmes that require cross- organisational collaboration, and an understanding of the concept and aims of whole system working
- Excellent influencing and negotiation skills, experience in successfully managing conflict, finding compromise and building consensus.
