Divisional Finance Manager - Planning and Central Services

We are seeking an experienced and strategic finance professional to join NHS Highland as Divisional Finance Manager – Planning & Central Services. This is a senior leadership role with system-wide impact, supporting financial sustainability and service transformation across a large and complex organisation.

The role leads the 3‑year financial planning process, including identifying and monitoring cost pressures, funding and savings targets, and oversees financial management across a portfolio of approximately £250m, driving budget setting, forecasting, monitoring and reporting.

It provides expert financial advice to senior leaders, clinicians, and budget holders, and leads and develops a finance team of approximately 20 staff.

Candidates should be a CCAB or CIMA qualified accountant with significant senior-level experience in financial management and planning. The position requires strong leadership and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for non‑finance audiences.

Preferably, the applicant will have NHS or public sector experience and knowledge of healthcare financial frameworks.

This is a key role within NHS Highland at a time where the Board is undertaking and developing initiatives to transition back to financial balance.

For more information please contact Elaine Ward, Deputy Director of Finance; email: elaine.wardt.

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.