Chief Finance Officer
Job Description
Job summary
We are looking for an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to be a voting member of our high-performing and collaborative Board.
We are seeking an ambitious Chief Financial Officer to help shape the Trust's future, bringing strategic financial leadership, commercial acumen and a relentless focus on value to ensure we can invest wisely, strengthen our foundations and maximise outcomes for patients, staff and communities.
If you are a dynamic and visionary leader ready to make a real impact, we want to hear from you.
To apply, please submit your application via email with the subject line "Application for the role of Chief Finance Officer" to [email protected]
Or for further information please contact Joanna Farmer at i&e Professionals Ltd, [email protected] / 07791547851
Main duties of the job
As Chief Financial Officer, you will be a leading member of the Trust's Executive Team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. You will provide excellent strategic leadership, direction and advice on finance-related matters and key business decisions. You will play a key role in discussions and negotiations with commissioners for existing and future contracts. You will have the skill and gravitas to make a significant contribution at system level, helping to drive our ambitions for delivering great care through neighbourhoods and integrated system working. In partnership with other members of the board, you will ensure that the economy, effectiveness and quality of the trust's services are maximised to best meet the needs of the population it serves.
For this pivotal role, we are seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader with a proven track record as a senior finance leader within an NHS provider. You will be ready to contribute across the breadth of the Board's agenda and to bring fresh thinking to the challenges we face.
You will provide strong, visible, compassionate and values-based leadership and bring a deep commitment to equalities and anti-racism. You will possess excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills. A commitment to the values and ethos of the NHS, with a focus on delivering for patients and communities, is vital.
About us
Known for the distinctive high quality of our services, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust serves a diverse community, offering mental health, learning disability, community health and offender healthcare services across outer SE London and, for our offender healthcare services, Kent, South West England and London.
With an annual income of over £500m and more than 5000 staff, our overall Trust CQC rating is 'good', our forensic mental health service is rated 'outstanding', and we are rated 2 in the National Oversight Framework. We have the highest staff engagement scores in London, and we were recognised by the Sunday Times as one of the 'Best Places to Work 2025'.
With a focus on innovation and excellence, we pride ourselves on our commitment to improving the lives of the individuals and communities we serve. We are a Trust that cares deeply about diversity, tackling health inequalities and living our values - We're Kind, We're Fair, We Listen and We Care.
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and support flexible working practices.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
To ensure that the finance directorate fully supports the organisation in achieving its core purpose of providing the best quality care to those who use its services.
To undertake the corporate responsibilities of a full executive member of the trust board, contributing to the decision making and taking a key role in defining the strategic direction and objectives of the trust.
To be responsible for the strategic financial planning for the trust, giving financial advice to the Chief Executive and the Board.
To be responsible for the management and development of the organisations finance systems and the management of the finance department.
Scope of Responsibility
Trust Turnover for next year, including the Adult Secure Provider Collaborative is c£542m
Finance Budget - £4.6m
Finance workforce 44 WTE
Key relationships
- Trust Board
- Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
- Business and Infrastructure Committee
- South London Partnership including Adult Secure Provider Collaborative leadership
- Executive leadership team
- ICB, Neighbourhood and Place based leadership
- NHS England (NHSE)
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- Other NHS trusts
- Local Authorities
- Other system partners including primary care and VCSE
- Council of Governors
- Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Services
- External Audit
- Finance team and workforce
Responsibilities of the Post
Executive:
- Participate fully as a voting member of the trust board, involved in all key business decisions.
- In partnership with other members of the board ensure that the economy, effectiveness and quality of the trusts services are maximised to best meet the needs of the population it serves.
- In partnership with other members of the board ensure that the trust has robust corporate and proactive governance arrangements in place.
- Actively participate in the development and implementation of Trust strategy, offering a perspective on how we can best align our resources with our quality objectives to maximise patient and staff outcomes
- Develop and maintain effective external networks in order to promote the work and interests of the trust and demonstrate its achievements.
- Participate in the Director on call rota.
Finance:
- Provide financial advice and information to the Trust board to ensure that it is able to make sound financial decisions and plans.
- Provide a financial perspective on key operational and quality decisions, supporting the Trusts Board and Executive Team to ensure that decisions are sustainable and offer good value for money.
- Establish and monitor the annual financial plan in line with directions and guidance from NHSE and the DHSC.
- Develop and guide the medium to long-term financial strategy of the Trust, and contribute this perspective to the development of the Trusts wider strategic objectives.
- In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, work with commissioners to ensure that appropriate contracts are in place for all of the Trust services in line with national contracts and best practice.
- Ensure the provision of timely high quality financial and management data to corporate and clinical departments.
- Ensure that due financial control is maintained and that financial and accounting systems meet the required standards of accounting and governance to the satisfaction of internal and external auditors.
- Provide a comprehensive, high quality and effective finance function including financial management, business planning, contracting, procurement, and financial systems
- Provide a key role in discussions and negotiations with commissioners for existing and future contracts.
- Play a central part of the development of tender documents and business cases to attract new business to the trust.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- Masters level degree or substantial equivalent experience
- Fully qualified accountant
Experience
Essential
- Experience of operating at, or close to, Board level in a similar role
- Experience of developing organisational financial and business strategies
- Experience of delivering performance goals and targets in a complex environment with conflicting priorities and demands
Knowledge & Ability
Essential
- Ability and understanding of how to work effectively as part of a senior team
- Ability to lead, develop and manage a team and individuals
- Sound knowledge of the NHS financial regime, including financial management, capital investment and financial accounting
- Knowledge and understanding of NHS organisational and financial strategies and the government white paper
- Understanding of the importance of equality and diversity in relation to the development and delivery of business and performance
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to the aims and values of the NHS
- Advocate for inclusion, diversity, kindness and fairness
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 ...
