Associate Director of Finance – Financial Management and Reporting

KEY RESULT AREAS Strategic Responsibilities Develop and implement a strategic approach to the annual budgeting round across the Trust. Develop the policy and framework for the production of the Trusts annual budgets to ensure there is a sustainable financial base for the Trust. Assist in the development of business cases from conception to authorisation and implementation for strategic projects and new business opportunities which would be of clinical and/or financial benefit to the Trust, and provide expert knowledge, challenge and rigour where appropriate. Assist with the development of long term plans and projects to improve the quality and efficiency of services in line with Commissioners strategic intentions and Trust requirements. With CIP Programme Management Office colleagues agree how policies on how CIPs are defined and measured. Forge positive internal and external working relationships, in order to support effective management approaches to achieve trust objectives. Operational Responsibilities Financial Management Manage a team of approximately 25 wte. Plan the various reporting timetables in liaison with the Board and other Directorates. Manage the production of timely financial information that meets the needs of the Trust Management Executive, Finance and Investment Committee and Trust Board. Ensure that reporting is incisive and identifies drivers and trends, plus remedial actions to respond to adverse trends. The use of a variety of presentational methods is expected and reporting information processes and outputs will be expected to be continuously improved. Manage the production of a robust, bottom up forecast on a regular basis, which is owned by the Clinical Directorates, where finances triangulate with activity and workforce forecasts. Manage the process of providing commentaries to financial plans and regular monitoring reports to Trust Management Executive, Finance and Investment Committee, Trust Board and the Trust Development Authority. Ensure that appropriate financial advice and challenge is available to Directorate leadership teams, and that high levels of internal customer satisfaction are maintained. Lead the annual budget setting process ensuring Directorates are enabled to develop their own budgets within the Trusts financial strategy whilst producing an overall budget which assures delivery of the Trusts financial duties and targets. Co ordinate details of service cost pressures, impact of inflationary changes to income and expenditure and evaluating strategic financial implications of any changes in commissioning arrangements and ensure these are reflected in budgets. Ensure the integration of strategic and business planning across all services and functions with budget setting. Ensure that robust links are maintained between capacity planning, directorate plans and corporate objectives. Ensure that the budgets are agreed and signed off by Clinical and Executive Directors, and that finance, workforce and activity information are aligned. Be a visible champion of cost improvement programmes throughout the organisation, helping and enabling Directorates to produce and deliver local savings whiles contributing to shape Trust wide savings initiatives. Work closely to support the Efficiency Team in producing clear and accurate reporting of budgeted, actual and forecast Efficiencies. Manage the production of the Trusts financial and performance reports including supporting the completion of all internal and external financial returns. Monitor and assist in the development of Trust Recovery Plans by assessing and validating the financial implications of any service redesign proposals. Governance Promote all matters of corporate governance (including development and improvement of arrangements) throughout the Trust. Ensure the Directorates policies, procedures and Trusts Standing Financial Instructions are strictly adhered to. Contribute to the development of systems, control processes and risk management that ensure full compliance with internal and external governance and best practice requirements relating to financial management, financial projects and costing processes. To ensure the Trust meets its statutory financial duties.