Band 8D - Head of Finance

Overview

Our trust includes Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 community services. The organisation delivers care at scale and continues pioneering work to improve patient care. The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to equality and diversity and to providing fair, transparent recruitment.

RFL Property Services (RFLPS) is seeking a highly motivated, qualified commercial accountant to join us as Head of Finance. This is a pivotal leadership role for a fast-growing organisation, shaping the financial direction of a business transforming estates and facilities services across the NHS.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Financial Performance and working closely with the executive directors and Board, you will lead all aspects of financial management, control and commercial finance for RFLPS. You will be the organisation s senior finance leader – owning financial planning, commercial analysis, profitability modelling and governance, and acting as a trusted business partner to operational and consultancy teams, the parent organisation and customers.

We are looking for someone with excellent commercial acumen, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the confidence to lead, drive change and inspire others as we continue our year-on-year growth.

• Lead financial management, control and governance for RFLPS, ensuring adherence to minimum standards, best practice and the scheme of delegation.
• Own the production of timely, accurate monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and statutory annual accounts, and present clear financial insight to the Board and Non-Executive Directors.
• Lead the annual planning and budget-setting process, hold budget holders to account, and set action plans to manage variances, over-runs and risk.
• Provide high-quality commercial finance: business cases, tender and fee modelling, charge-out rates, margin and competitor analysis, scenario testing and predictive modelling to support sustainable growth.
• Manage cashflow, creditors and debtors, and act as the organisation s lead for payroll, VAT and HMRC matters.
• Lead on procurement in line with RFL Group standards and SFIs, and support Group Audit Committee reporting on waivers, losses, internal audit and counter fraud.
• Manage and develop a small finance team (two direct, six indirect reports) and the financial services SLA with RFL Group.
• Business partner with the MD, directors, parent organisation and customers to inform investment decisions, pricing and profitability, and to drive efficiency and transformation.

You will be a CCAB/CIMA-qualified accountant with significant post-qualification experience, a track record of business partnering at a senior level, and the credibility to challenge and influence at Board level.

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK s biggest and most innovative trusts. Our three main hospitals care for over 1.6 million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and perform more than 17 million tests. We offer opportunities that fit around your lifestyle, including flexible hours and generous benefits, with continued training and development.

For more information please visit the official careers page.

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the post and visit our website to learn about working in Royal Free.

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Professional management accounting or similar qualification (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
• Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification
• Proven post qualification experience or experience working at an Assistant Director level
• Significant experience of business partnering, supporting directors in developing their financial strategies or plans
• Experience of…