Deputy Chief Finance Officer - Governance

Job summary
East Kent Hospitals is a large and complex NHS Foundation Trust with a substantial financial deficit to be addressed alongside continued improvement required in performance and quality metrics of patient care and services. This critical role will support the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) in influencing and driving the strategic and operational development of the Trust. Reporting to the CFO, the Deputy Chief Finance Officer - Governance role will play a vital leadership role in ensuring we can steer a financially sustainable course in the coming months and years.

The Deputy Chief Finance Officer - Governance will support the CFO in the delivery of financial governance and assurance. The role will include leadership of Financial Services and Capital and will work closely with the Deputy Chief Finance Officer - Performance across the Finance portfolio.

As a senior member of the Finance leadership team, delivery against the Trusts corporate objectives is expected, in particular the Trust's objectives to achieve financial sustainability

The Deputy Chief Finance Officer roles will have a strong track record of delivery, be able to manage multiple projects and drive change. The postholder will be able to lead and motivate teams effectively as well as building strong relationships with a range of stakeholders and partners.

The post holder will work with the Deputy Chief Financial Officer - Performance to provide leadership across the Finance Team

Main duties of the job
Lead the development of Financial Services ensuring delivery of statutory financial duties including the submission of the annual consolidated accounts and take responsibility for ensuring that a robust control environment is in place and that corporate governance procedures are complied with.

Overseeing the financial accounting framework, ensuring that the financial accounting team provides a full accounting service to the Trust, its charity and subsidiaries. This will require up to date relevant knowledge of accounting standards and NHS accounting practice .

Provide leadership with regards to the Trust's processes that are in place to prepare and monitor the Cash, Financing, Capital and Working Capital Management elements of the annual and longer-term plan.

Providing overall leadership of the Financial Services team, ensuring they are a high performing team by encouraging autonomy, innovation, and best practice in everything they do.

Ensuring the Trust's financial position is reported accurately internally and externally, including meaningful analysis, evaluation and advice, suitable for non-financial stakeholders, to support robust decision making.

Lead the preparation and submission of the Trust's Annual Accounts through to completion and sign off by External Audit and the Trust Board.

About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.

Job responsibilities
East Kent Hospitals is a large and complex NHS Foundation Trust with a substantial financial deficit to be addressed alongside continued improvement required in performance and quality metrics of patient care and services. This critical role will support the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) in influencing and driving the strategic and operational development of the Trust. Reporting to the CFO, the Deputy Chief Finance Officer - Governance role will play a vital leadership role in ensuring we can steer a financially sustainable course in the coming months and years.

Qualifications and training
Essential

• Educated to degree level
• Professionally qualified accountant (Member of CCAB approved body - CIPFA, ICAEW, CIMA) with 10 years post qualification experience
• Evidence of relevant continued professional development

Desirable

• MBA/Masters level qualification

Skills, knowledge and experience
Essential

• Significant post qualification experience at a senior level in a complex organisation
• Knowledge of NHS and the acute sector
• Expert specialist knowledge of financial and accounting procedures including current legislation and NHS accounting policies
• Extensive experience of collecting complex data from a number of sources, forming opinions, identifying options, making recommendations and presenting to diverse audiences
• Experience of taking a finance team through transformational change to enhance the service provided to customers and stakeholders
• Experience of representing and negotiating on behalf of a Trust
• Experience of the NHS planning process, contracting environment and payment by results.
• Significant staff and budgetary management experience.
• Solid experience of managing a programme of project work, including major organisational and/or service change
• Experience of annual report/account production

Desirable

• Significant experience at Deputy Director of Finance level
• Significant experience within healthcare
• Acute provider experience
• Understanding of complex Group accounting

Personal/professional attributes
Essential

• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills. Highly developed communication and written presentation skills
• Ability to work under pressure and be resilient in times of change
• Ability to gain the trust and confidence of very senior colleagues
• To be aware of and adhere to the Trust's Vision, Mission and Values
• Ability to challenge and effectively manage and deal with highly contentious situations and issues
• A genuine team player competent at operating at all levels within an organisation.
• Ability to lead, manage and mentor staff
• Commitment to equal opportunities in employment and service delivery
• Highest degree of honesty, probity and integrity

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).

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