Associate Director of Finance - South West Provider Collaborative
The South West Provider Collaborative is an award winning partnership of six provider organisations, of which Devon Partnership NHS Trust is the lead provider.
The Collaboratives are national initiatives designed to encourage different providers within different geographical areas to design, commission and deliver services more closely together.
Working together, the Collaborative improve the care pathway for people needing specialised mental healthcare in the South West.
The Associate Director of Finance - South West Provider Collaborative (Commissioning) has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the SWPC Commissioning finance function.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and or contentious information and will be required to advise, constrain senior budget holders over financial issues, persuading them to a certain course of action.
The post holder will be responsible for planning the work of the Commissioning Finance team to ensure reporting and accounting deliveries are consistently met to a high standard. This includes budget setting, monthly budget monitoring and year end accounts.
The post holder will provide comprehensive finance support and advice to Senior Managers, Directors, Clinical Directors, Directorate Managers, Senior Budget Holders, working with Collaborative to ensure consistent and quality advice is given. The role will involve making judgments on financial issues, often where an element of risk exists and there are an number of options, sometimes conflicting.
The post holder will be required to lead on the Trusts Commissioning financial strategy, in particular advising on service level plans to meet the overall service objective. As appropriate attend corporate and service level performance meetings as representative of the finance function.
The post holder will be responsible for the development, monitoring and accurate reporting of the SW Provider Collaborative revenue expenditure (annually circa £175m 2025/26) on a monthly basis.
The post holder will be responsible for providing financial advice for the South West Provider Collaborative.
Job responsibilities
Full Job Description available in attached document:
The Associate Director of Finance SWPC has overall responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the SWPC Commissioning finance function.
The Associate Director of Finance - SWPC will be responsible for the delivery of all the key duties of the commissioning finance department ensuring all tasks and responsibilities are fulfilled to the requisitestandards of timeliness, accuracy and quality.
Leadership and Management of Staff - The post holder will have full responsibility for the management and leadership of the SWPC Commissioning Finance Team (approximately 2 staff).
Budget Management - The post holder will be responsible, through managing the work of the commissioning finance managers, for the provision of integrated financial information incorporating income and expenditure and financial accounts for the full range of the Trusts Commissioning are for reporting to the Trust Board and external partners. They will also be responsible for ensuring that Clinical Directors, Managing Partners, Operational Managers and budget holders are provided with appropriate financial information. The role will involve negotiating and constraining financial and activity plans where appropriate and ensuring information is accurate and relevant.
Business Planning - In conjunction with the Trust managers and other support functions (both within and outside of the SWPC), the post holder will lead the delivery of annual business planning cycle for the SWPC Commissioning function including the production of the annual, medium and long term financial plans and providing strategic financial and planning advice. This will involve translation into agreed budgets across the SWPC inclusive of required Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) targets including the provision of performance management information on these schemes/service lines.
The post holder will be responsible for developing and maintaining systems to ensure that the planning is in line with the requirements of NHS Improvement and the timely preparation of financing schedules that will form part of the contracts with partners, and those for onward submission to the lead ICB/NHSE. The post holder will also take lead responsibility for the co-ordination and delivery of any funds flow work that are undertaken as part of the SWPC and the associate recommendation of investment of funds.
Budget Setting - The post holder will take lead responsibility for the delivery of the annual budget setting process for SWPC Commissioning services, maintaining the overall framework and supporting systems for recording recurrent and non-recurrent budget allocations, cost pressures and developments.
Trust Wide Business Reporting - The post holder will have full responsibility for the management and development of all corporate business reporting processes to support the SWPC Commissioning services. The post holder will ensure that the Trust maintains and develops efficient and effective business focused financial systems and processes. The post holder will be responsible for the provision of all financial information that feeds into governance structures within DPT and the SWPC (up to Trust Board level for DPT and CEO meetings for SWPC) including key data on revenue, capital, cash and working balance financial positions.
The post holder will be responsible for the management and development of all Trust wide and corporate business reporting and the supporting systems. This includes the completion of the Trusts Statutory Audited Accounts, returns to NHS England National Reference Costs information submitted to the Department of Health, commissioner reporting requirements, benchmarking returns and all other financial accounting requirements to the extent that they relate to SWPC Commissioning of services.
Procurement and Contracts Performance: The post holder will work with the South West Provider Collaborative Contract lead to ensure the Trust achieves value for money from its procurement arrangements, through the application of effective and efficient procurement procedures and processes.
Business and Commercial Advice: The post holder will provide business and commercial advice across a range of on all matters related to the South West Provider Collaborative activity. The post holder will also provide commercial advice on the completion of bids and tenders for which the Trust will be expressing an interest and for which it is invited to tender.
Systems Maintenance and Management - The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that all Income and Expenditure aspects of the General Ledger relating to the South West Provider Collaborative, including the maintenance of all codes and reporting hierarchies, are updated.
Policy Development - The post holder will develop and implement financial policies and procedures which meet the South West Provider Collaborative Corporate Objectives, the Trusts Statutory Financial Responsibilities, and the requirements of the Trusts Governance Framework.
Working Capital Management - The post holder will also be required to maintain an overview of the Trusts financial position on cash and provide strategic financial and business planning advice ensuring that information is available to facilitate decision making in all of these areas to the extent that it relates to the South West Provider Collaborative activities.
Year End: The post holder will lead on the production of annual accounts for the South West Provider Collaborative in accordance with national and local guidance and timetables, and adhering to accepted accounting standards and principles.
Financial Governance - The post holder will be responsible for ensuring Trust Financial Governance issues such as the maintenance of Trust Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders, Scheme of Delegation are in place and updated. In addition the post holder will be responsible for ensuring that managers of the Trust are aware of and adhere to these procedures.
Financial Processes - The post holder will be responsible for the management and development of the financial procedures and reporting required for the South West Provider Collaborative. Ensure that the financial systems and processes are efficient, effective and of the highest calibre and integrity and are adapted and developed to meet the organisational and business objectives of the Trust, thus improving patient care. This will include any review of amendments required as part of a move to One Devon NHS Finance.
Professional Leadership / Finance Team Development: The post holder will continually develop, introduce and improve financial systems to assist the performance management function of the South West Provider Collaborative finance team. They will take the lead on finance staff development within the Team incorporating both professional and personal development and the setting of objectives for staff.
Personal performance - The post holder will enhance their own performance through continuously developing own knowledge, skills and behaviours to meet the current and future requirements of the job and respond to the learning needs of the Trust. They will maintain their own CPD and contribute to their own personal development by participating in annual appraisal with their line manager, developing a PDP, and actively participating in agreed learning activities and evaluating effectiveness of learning in relation to role. They will also regularly review their own practices and make changes in accordance with current and/or best practice, make suggestions for improved practice and identify where other activities affect own practice. They will also contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the teams in which they work.
Other Duties - The post holder will be required to represent the Finance Function at key management and operational committees as well as Deputising for the Chief Finance Officer and Deputy Chief Finance Officer in a decision making capacity as required. The post holder will be expected to be able to influence and persuade staff at all levels of the organisation. In addition the post holder will be required to undertake ad hoc projects as required and in line with the requirements of the service.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Qualifications
* Full Professional UK Accounting Qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, CIPFA).
* Evidence of current and relevant CPD.
Communication, Judgement and Relationship Skills
* Ability to establish trustful, purposeful relationships both within and outside of the finance department and to command the confidence of Trust Clinicians, Directors, Managers and senior colleagues.
* Ability to rapidly assimilate information, think laterally and report/ present information at a strategic level to Clinicians, Directors and Managers in a way which is both relevant and meaningful.
* Well developed intellectual skills and an ability to use initiative and employ creativity in assisting Directors and Managers to analyse complex problems and propose solutions.
* Highly developed influencing skills: ability to influence and negotiate with staff at all levels of the organisation, and with partner organisations, to further the interests of the Trust and the NHS.
* Ability to develop, train and motivate own staff and to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
* Strong management, organisation and leadership skills.
* Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
* Ability to contribute to the long-term strategy of the Trust.
* Demonstrate a high level of personal and professional integrity, understanding the importance of stewardship and accountability for public money and assets.
* Regular and reliable method of transport and mobility throughout the area.
Experience
* Full understanding of accounting principles.
* Experience working at a senior level within a large organisation.
* Knowledge and ability to apply and advise on financial regulations, financial management, strategic management, leadership and transformational management.
* Extensive staff leadership experience managing and influencing a large group of staff from multi-disciplines.
* Previous advanced experience of staff training, development and performance management.
* Experience in high profile, challenging role with an ability to manage conflicting priorities.
* Significant experience as an NHS Accountant.
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