Head of Finance

Job responsibilities

Job description

Main Responsibilities and Key Tasks:

Budgetary Control

GPN will undertake an annual budget rebasing exercise which will be supported by a continuous planning process

Working with the Senior Management Team the Head of Finance will co-ordinate the establishment and maintenance of budgets which:

Support GPN to achieve its key corporate financial targets

Enables GPN to deliver the range and level of services in accordance with the agreed financial forecasts

Align financial and managerial responsibilities

Holds managers accountable for the financial consequences of their actions and decisions

Provides transparency around all transactions

Demonstrates value for money in committing resources

Delegate budgets down to the most appropriate level, such that responsibility is matched with ability to control income and/or expenditure

Ensures personal accountability

There will be clear budget and forecast preparation procedures, including templates

Comprehensive, accurate and timely financial and supporting information will be provided to enable the accurate monitoring of budgets

Regular monthly timetables will be issued to ensure that both internal and external reporting targets are achieved.

Financial Management

Responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the reporting of the actual position against plan on a monthly basis, ensuring that all relevant and required accounting entries have been made in the GPNs electronic finance system

Support the development and use of service line reporting costing information within the organisation

Develop a thorough understanding of the divisions cost base and the associated drivers that impact on costs, supported by key financial metrics

Support Research and Development bids and projects through robust costing and financial evaluation using appropriate tools and models to establish financial viability and strategic benefits

Work closely with the Senior Management Team to develop the function to achieve the standards of a high quality service and achieve an Excellent rating in Audit Commission and other standards that relate to the function

Reporting

Prepare regular reports for:

Monthly Board meetings

Senior Management Team

Directorates

Executive Divisional Performance Reviews

The approach to this reporting will include analysis and explanation around the trends variances and forecasts with owned action plans to address adverse positions. This information will also be provided to the GPN board and Senior Management Team for onward reporting purposes in accordance with agreed timescales and quality standards

Business Support

Ensure that the directorate financial support staff provide appropriate financial advice and information to GPNs budget managers in order for them to achieve financial targets and contribute to the delivery of agreed EBITDA margins and the recovery of overheads to enable GPN to achieve its overall corporate key financial targets

Provide support for the directorate managers on financial matters at the interface with other parties

Play an integral role in the development of the Cost Improvement Plans within the development

Provide support to GPN and directorate senior managers in identifying and developing recovery plan schemes which contain comprehensive financial appraisals

Provide support on the costing of new business opportunities and changes to existing services

Management

Manage the staff and resources effectively employing high quality staff management principles for professional standards, communication and appraisals

Implement and maintain effective financial management processes to ensure that service has the ability to report performance in key areas to and key stakeholders

Manage and develop staff to ensure professional standards and career opportunities are maintained and enhanced. Ensure succession planning and skill development are an established part of the culture of the service

Work with the GPN Finance team and external Accountants to develop new ways of working to optimise the quality and efficiency of financial services provided

Other Duties

Such other duties as may be required by GPN

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties, which fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the line manager

This job description will be reviewed regularly in light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Analytical skills.
• Effective influencing skills.
• Great communicator across all work levels.
• Good leadership skills, take people with you, delegation.
• Able carry workstreams through to completion.
• Able to meet deadlines.
• Excellent Oral and Excel skills.
• Understanding of NHS finance policies.
• Ability to make complex decisions independently.
• Well organised and ability to work under pressure.
• Highly organised and outcome focused.
• Strong communication Skills.
• Able to challenge thinking.
• Ability to analyse and interpret Financial reporting and statistics.
• Competent user of Information Technology.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to develop good working. relationships with people at various levels.
• Ability to plan effectively and work to tight deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Achievement focused.
• Ability to constructively challenge ways of working.
• Successfully supporting and delivering multiple projects.
• Negotiation skills.

Qualifications

Essential

• Financial Management and Financial Regime
• Financial Reporting
• Management
• Understanding of Technical Accounting
• Understanding of Governance and Internal Controls
• Collaborating across work functions
• NHS Experience

Experience

Essential

• Financial Management and Financial Regime
• Financial Reporting
• Management
• Understanding of Technical Accounting
• Understanding of Governance and Internal Controls
• Collaborating across work functions
• NHS Experience

Desirable

• Experience of working within a federation and external business partners
• Good understanding of the challenges within the sector
• Good understanding of contractual impacts

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).