Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of Finance Strategy, Planning and Costing to join our finance team at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust. We offer a fast paced, exciting and supportive working environment, working with our service and corporate leads to do the very best for our patients.
We are ambitious and want to continuously improve, whether that supports improved patient outcomes in providing high quality support to our Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism services, value for money or colleague experience, and we want someone who shares that sense of ambition and energy to deliver the change.
Although this post is advertised as an 8b post, we are willing to consider applications from people who do not yet meet the essential criteria for a Band 8b, but who would be interested in undertaking the post at a Band 8a initially, with a supportive plan for development within an agreed timeframe and progression to an 8b when fully qualified. As a result, we are interested in hearing from people within the final stage of a CCAB recognised qualification as well as those fully qualified.
You must have the Right to Work in the UK in order to be successfully appointed to this role. Please note, this role does not meet the required eligibility criteria for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa and therefore the Trust is unable to offer sponsorship for this particular role.
Main duties of the job
Working with the Director of Finance, the Associate Director of Finance - Financial Management and managing the Costing team, the Head of Finance Strategy, Planning and costing will develop and maintain the Trust's Medium Term Financial Plan, produce robust costing information, and ensure wider engagement across the organisation. You will also lead the development of the Trust's rolling 3 year programme of Cash Releasing Efficiency Schemes and oversee and co-ordinate the core financial management activities for the CRES plans and/or projects to support delivery of the in-year financial position. You will support the delivery of key financial targets/regulatory requirements, and as part of a collective senior leadership team support the wider financial performance framework of the Trust by ensuring the development and use of our short and medium term financial plans.
About us
The post holder will, as part of the Senior Finance Team, play a key role in promoting an organisational culture that actively promotes the Trust's Vision and Values and positively engages staff, service users and other stakeholders in quality improvement and service transformation. This will include supporting the development and delivery of the Trust's approach to continuous improvement and role modelling and further embedding in the organisation the Trust's values.
If you would like to join us on our journey, Richard Mellor, our Associate Director of Finance would welcome having a conversation with you. Should you wish to discuss the role with Richard, please contact him on to arrange an appointment.
Details
Date posted
02 March 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8b
Salary
£64,455 to £74,896 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-CORP-010-26-A
Job locations
Flatts Lane Centre
Normanby
Middlesbrough
TS6 0SZ
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to a suitable vehicle for business purposes. If necessary, adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. CCAB qualified accountant, and current registration with professional body
2. Post Graduate qualification or equivalent evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
3. Quality Improvement techniques
Experience
Essential
4. Post-qualification experience at a senior level in the NHS
5. Extensive experience of advising and working with senior managers and directors of a large, complex organisation
6. Proven experience of financial management within a large organisation
7. Knowledge of the NHS finance regime and developing medium- and long-term financial plans including cash releasing efficiency schemes (CRES)
8. Proven experience of delivering complex change programmes and supporting operational services to release financial efficiencies
9. Experience of leading financial planning, budget setting.
10. Can demonstrate successful business planning, objective setting and experience of performance management
11. Experience of presenting complex issues to wide & non-financial audiences
12. Experience of developing and co-ordinating performance management arrangements across the organisation
13. Previous experience of involvement in complex projects including the provision of strategic and business case planning advice across a range of options as well as detailed analysis of data and business case review
14. Experience of formulating medium term and long-term strategic plans
15. Evidence of line management experience, including managing and setting, objectives, goals and standards to ensure teams deliver to their maximum potential and supports ongoing development
16. Excellent project management skills and demonstrate achievements / outcomes
17. Key knowledge of NHS financial and management accounting policies
18. Able to demonstrate an advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of Accounting Standards and NHS finance
Desirable
19. Experience of working in different NHS Trusts, finance regimes and finance disciplines
20. Experience of NHS financial regime
21. Experience of undertaking costing, or using costing information
Knowledge
Essential
22. Through continuous personal development, to maintain advanced specialist knowledge of the latest developments within the NHS and accountancy fields.
23. Knowledge of financial and other statutory and performance duties placed upon NHS organisations
24. Knowledge of NHS Foundation Trust regime and reporting requirements, including risk ratings
25. Has specialist knowledge of the whole NHS context, national agenda and impact on Trusts and FTs
26. Has advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of financial and accounting procedures, legislation and policies
Desirable
27. Broad understanding of the current political climate and generate knowledge of trends in healthcare and likely impact on NHS Trusts
Skills
Essential
28. Strong Excel spreadsheet skills
29. Can evidence innovative and strategic thinking ability
30. Can lead, motivate and inspire others
31. Has a strong ability to establish good working relations with internal and external stakeholders
32. Has strong analytic, numeric and critical reasoning skills and capable of effective problem-solving
33. Ability to translate strategic goals into effective and achievable plans and capable of monitoring their progress and outcomes
34. Strong IT & project management skills
35. Able to make sense of conflicting priorities and reach effective, speedy solutions
36. Advanced influencing, negotiating, persuasion, communication and presentation skills to individuals and large groups of people from both financial and non-financial backgrounds both internal and external to the Trust.
37. Evidence of dealing with highly complex, highly sensitive or contentious information affecting large groups of people
38. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills and an ability to deal with contentious situations
39. Advanced presentational skill to individuals and large groups of people from a finance and non-financial background
40. Ability to assess risks, anticipate difficulties and successfully address them
41. Ability to handle detail within strategic plans and make informed decisions and judgements
42. Politically aware