Finance Business Partner - United Kingdom - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Description

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Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Richards Hospital, Worthing Hospital or Royal Sussex county Hospital Town Chichester, Worthing or Brighton Salary £43,742 - £50,056 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 20/06/2024 23:59

About our Trust

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts , we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

The post holder will be delivering financial support to the Business Partnering function provided to a small number of Operational and Corporate Directorates. The role will involve providing high quality financial management working closely alongside the operational team to support delivery of the Trust objectives.

This role will support with enhancing relationships between finance and clinical and non-clinical teams in financial performance management, use of resources, cost improvement development, financial planning and education.

Main duties of the job

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Working for our organisation

Join us at UHSussex, every day is different, you can be the change, better never stops

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute Trusts , we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Improving lives: We are a vibrant and inclusive organisation, with hardworking, talented and dedicated individuals, who work together towards a common goal, to always put our Patient First . Our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and no matter the role at UHSussex, you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

Build a career with us: As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Partnering

• Supporting the delivery of the business partnering function providing future focused decision support, technical financial advice, business intelligence and reports to management to enable them to effectively manage resources for their area of responsibility.
• Building effective relationships, internally, to effectively challenge performance, decision-making and outcomes.
• Promote the use of financial and operational management information to review, assess and forecast unit performance. Support the production of multi-layer forecasts of Trust financial performance at all points in time, ensuring incorporation of the effects of all risks, opportunities and actions being taken across the Trust.
• Identifies and highlights quickly and appropriately any evidence and/or risk of divergence from financial plans, targets or forecasts at any level in the Trust and work with management to develop mitigations to return performance to plan/forecast.
• Support the monthly review of the Trust's financial performance at all levels within deadlines and make recommendations on actions to ensure that financial performance meets targets and is fully understood and agreed by relevant stakeholders.
• Support the Deputy Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance to hold divisions and corporate directorate budget holders to account through formal periodic reviews of all financial performance.
• Month end
• Support with business case development, financial modelling, detailed financial analysis (including demand & capacity modelling), and investment appraisal in support of improving the quality of business cases and expediting decision-making, implementation and benefits realisation. This should include the evaluation of alternative models of service delivery to ensure the achievement of performance targets and long-term financial stability.
• Support the production of business cases, including taking responsibility for the accuracy of the financial analysis. This includes the application of recognised investment appraisal techniques to proposals to improve decision making and ensure that developments can withstand robust financial scrutiny.
• Support the development and monitoring of non-financial performance indicators (e.g. length of stay, theatre utilisation) to identify areas where the use of resources can be improved. Work with operational managers and clinicians to improve productivity and demonstrate the impact of this on financial performance.
• Support negotiation of commissioning agreements with external organisations for services provided or received to ensure that income is maximised or best value for money is achieved respectively e.g. local price reviews, PLICs/Reference costs.
• Support with benchmarking and value for money audits to ensure best practice and optimal utilisation of resources.
• Support the Trust in setting realistic and achievable waste reduction/efficiency targets and developing robust plans that ensure and maximise delivery; both on an annual basis and for the medium/long-term plans.
• Provide expert advice on the identification and achievement of waste reductions and productivity improvements using benchmarking and other comparative data to inform this process e.g. PLICs, GIRFT, Model Hospital etc.

Governance

• Support the maintenance of the Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures to ensure these operate as designed and provide appropriate levels of assurance on accuracy, completeness and anti-fraud measures.
• In conjunction with Internal Audit support reviews to ensure that the financial control environment is operating effectively and that information is shared with the Audit Committee for assurance purposes.
• Support with ensuring that operational and strategic financial risks are identified and properly assessed so that adequate arrangements for managing them can be implemented.

Communication & Engagement

• The post holder may be required to support with writing high quality papers on all financial accounting, reporting and related issues; with appropriate consideration of purpose, background, guidance i.e. relevant accounting standards, laws and regulations, policies etc., materiality, analysis, risk, conclusions/recommendations.
• The post holder may be required to present highly complex and highly sensitive financial information to small audiences of varying experience, disciplines and seniority.
• Represent the Finance Department and its interests at internal meetings/events as required, acting independently, and effectively.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Maintain an up to date, in depth specialist knowledge – theory and experience – of financial and accounting procedures, financial aspects of relevant legislation and financial policies (governmental and NHS).
• Identification and analysis of the consequences and risks of short and long term local service changes; ensuring that any impacts are communicated/escalated and understood.
• Maintain a good understanding of Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and ensures they are followed across the Trust, involving training and advising staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.
• Supports innovative and continuous process review and improvement for Planning and Delivery activities, to ensure that:
• Processes and procedures are up-to-date, relevant and efficient, minimising manual transactions, and delivering standardisation;
• Reporting solutions are cutting edge and effective;
• Financial systems are appropriate, efficient and effectively used; and
• Governance arrangements are aligned and adequate.
• Contributes to and influences process improvement and transformation throughout the Trust to ensure financial requirements are appropriately met and financial governance is maintained.

People Management and Development

• Be responsible for design of supporting structures and subsequent management, including motivating staff to meet deadlines and targets, recruitment, training, appraisal, implementation of HR policies and dealing with disciplinary/performance issues.
• Be responsible for the personal development of any staff and ensure that every member of staff is regularly appraised, has a Personal Development Plan and is compliant with statutory and mandatory training requirements.
• Maintain an up to date, in depth specialist knowledge – theory and experience – of financial and accounting procedures, financial aspects of NHS legislation and NHS financial policies. Ensure that this information is shared with senior finance team and the impact understood; together with cascade of information to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) are followed within the Division and cross-Trust, involving training and advising staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.

Learning and Development

• Commitment to improve skill levels and knowledge by participation in appropriate training and learning opportunities.
• Responsible for maintaining own professional development including being aware of new developments within the sphere of the role.
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the appraisal and personal development process.
• Participate in the Trust's appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
• Attend mandatory and statutory training as required; ensuring compliance is maintained.

Applicants who have applied in the last 3 months need not apply

Person specification Experience/ Qualifications

• Acquisition of the skills below is considered to require at least two years post qualification experience in a financial management role, demonstrating experience equivalent to a Master's degree. Part-qualified CCAB Evidence of participating in Continuing Professional Development to the required level expected of a Professional Accountancy Body.

Knowledge and Experience

• Express complex and sensitive financial issues both orally and in writing in an easily understood manner. NHS Financial regime & National Tariff The Principles of Standing Financial Instructions

Communication and Interpersonal

• Experience effectively communicating complex financial information to non-finance managers Confidence presenting financial and non-financial information to a senior audience Ability to chair Finance meetings within the Directorate. Ability to coach budget holders and provide teaching seminars to groups of budget holders. Professional telephone and communication manner to represent the professional standing of the Financial Management Dept. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse motivate and involve individuals and teams.
• Experience of close working relationships with senior clinicians.

Analytical and Judgemental

• Confidence to challenge and negotiate with other senior managers in the Trust to ensure financial plans are adhered to. Ability to manage tensions between local and corporate priorities. Excellent numeric and analytical skills. Able to produce concise and accurate reports, both financial and information based. Highly developed problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options.

Planning and Organisational

• Ability to participate in setting the short and medium term objectives for the department. Ability to set priorities for a team of finance professionals to ensure operational objectives are met within a deadline. Ability to work on a diverse set of projects at one time and to meet imposed deadlines. Excellent organisational and prioritising skills. Ability to manage own work programme and to prioritise deadlines. Demonstrate capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
• Two years of experience in a financial role Experience of preparing Business Cases to support changes to service delivery and advising on the revenue and cash impact of proposals. Evidence of meeting challenging corporate and personal targets
• Understanding of current developments within the NHS.

Information and Communication Technology

• Expert with main Microsoft Office applications Ability to use numerous IT systems for data extraction and investigation. i.e. PAS, RIS, SUS

People Management and Development

• Management of projects, complex finance issues or junior members of staff.
• Experience managing a team of finance professionals, including recruitment, appraisal

Personal Attributes

• Personal presentation must be of a professional standard and to ensure that junior members of the team are also. Physically fit to undertake the duties of the role. Able to travel between sites.

Freedom to Act

• Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate the Team on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary. Identify and adhere to best practice. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role. Broad occupational policies Works to achieve agreed objectives and is given freedom to do this in own way, working within broad professional policies; acts without reference to manager; acts as lead specialist in a particular financial area.

EDI

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

General information for applicants

As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the website searching for Skilled Worker.

Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for non medical vacancies only, please contact the Resourcing Team by Email:

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.