St Helens And Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust

Job Description

Job title Director of Finance/Information and Commercial Services

Salary

Hours Full time

Job Location Whiston Hospital

Report to Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for Finance/Information and Commercial Services staff

Accountable to The Director of Finance/Information and Commercial Services will be an Executive member of the Board directly accountable to the Chief Executive Officer for the management duties described below.

The post holder will be expected to:-

 Share responsibility for policy and decision making within the Trust Board,  Share in the development of a clear understanding and the pursuit of the aims and objectives of the Trust,  Share in monitoring and securing progress towards agreed targets and objectives,  Satisfy the Board and the Chief Executive Officer that appropriate systems, procedures and policies are in place in pursuit of the proper discharge of financial accountability.

Job Summary To be responsible to the Board and the Chief Executive Officer as Accountable Officer for the financial management of the Trust ensuring the Trust has sound financial policies, procedures and reports and the effective management of business and financial risk.

To lead on FT responsibilities.

To share responsibility for the financial probity of the Trust and to ensure adherence to the Standing Financial Instructions and other relevant policies. This to be done in conjunction with the Trust Board, Audit Committee and Chief Executive and by ensuring that systems and procedures are in place for this purpose.

To assist the local health community in delivering high quality health services. To take Executive responsibility for the Procurement function.

To take Executive responsibility for the Information function.

To take Executive responsibility for the Trust’s Commercial Services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Corporate Responsibilities

1. Financial Management and Advice

1.1 To advise the Trust on all strategic and operational matters relating to finance.

1.2 To ensure policies and procedures are in place for sound forecasting, monitoring and management of the Trust’s cash to secure liquidity and financial stability and to meet the Trust’s statutory financial responsibilities.

1.3 To develop and review financial systems, procedures and controls to ensure that the budgeting, accounting, income and expenditure systems operate efficiently to the highest professional standards.

1.4 To develop and lead the implementation of financial strategies to meet Commissioner’s requirements from the contracting process.

1.5 To ensure the Finance function has a major involvement in the Trust’s business management process including costing, pricing, planning and negotiation of contracts and to ensure that there is an appropriate financial input to business cases.

1.6 To ensure the monitoring of contract performance in close liaison with Care Group Managers.

1.7 To ensure systems are in place to monitor contract income effectively.

1.8 To ensure that accurate and relevant financial information is provided to the Board and managers regularly on the budgetary performance of the Trust and to prepare annual budgets. To keep the Chief Executive Officer and the Board informed of financial performance throughout the year.

1.9 To ensure that there are integrated activity and financial reporting systems.

1.10 To be involved in formulating the annual corporate financial plan to cover both revenue and capital issues. 1.11 To translate income generation and cost improvement requirements, set by the Chief Executive and the Board into clear costed and assigned financial targets to fully meet the requirements of the annual financial plan.

1.12 To lead in the motivation and development of staff in Finance, Information, Supplies and Commercial Services through Personal Development Plans and other initiatives to this end.

2. Corporate Responsibilities

2.1 To contribute as a member of the Board to the development of overall vision and of strategies for the Trust which provide clear direction for future development.

2.2 To work with the Executive Team in developing strategic partnership arrangements with key stakeholders and commissioners.

2.3 To ensure the Trust meets its statutory responsibilities.

2.4 To participate in the Executive on-call rota.

2.5 To help develop the Trust as a major provider of healthcare in the region.

2.6 To assure joint responsibility with the Directors, for corporate performance and the achievement of the Trust’s strategic objectives.

2.7 To actively contribute to the successful team working of the Trust Board and Executive Team.

2.8 Participate with other Directors in the corporate risk management of the Trust, including the relevant areas of the Risk Register and Assurance Framework.

2.9 Work effectively with other Directors and relevant individuals to ensure the organisation complies with the NHS regulatory regime.

3. Public Accountability and Stewardship

3.1 To be responsible for the financial control and accounting systems of the Trust and the review of the Trust’s Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures.

3.2 To prepare statutory annual accounting returns in accordance with prescribed timescales.

3.3 To ensure that the Trust’s capital assets are reflected accurately by the asset register and the balance sheet. 3.4 To manage the relationship with the Internal Audit function; to ensure a professional relationship with and financial input to the Audit Committee as required and with External Audit as required.

3.5 To be the Executive Lead for Counter Fraud matters and ensure that counter fraud work is proactive, and that fraud cases are investigated efficiently in line with guidance from the National Counter Fraud and Security Management Services (CFSMS).

3.6 To be responsible for the accuracy of timeliness of payments to suppliers.

3.7 To ensure that service level agreements exist to support the provision of services and that the arrangement is covered by proper internal checks.

4. Treasury Management

4.1 To manage the cash flows relating to creditor payments, payroll billing and investments including forecasting of such, to ensure the Trust’s CRL is not exceeded.

4.2 To ensure that all debts due are recovered in a timely fashion and the prompt write-off of any that are irrecoverable.

5. Endowment Funds

5.1 To manage the Trust endorsement funds in accordance with relevant legislation.

5.2 To ensure that the Board is regularly advised of the income expenditure and investment arrangements for Charitable Funds.

5.3 To ensure that the same standards of reporting financial control and auditing are applied to Trust funds as to the main function of the organisation.

6. Procurement Function

6.1 To act as the Trust Board lead for all Purchasing and Supply related issues.

6.2 Be responsible for the implementation of the Trust’s Corporate Supplies Strategy and any national initiatives in respect of procurement in the NHS.

6.3 To assure efficiency and value for money is achieved through procurement arrangements.

7. Redevelopment Project

7.1 To ensure that the cost impact of the strategic project is understood and agreed with Commissioners. 7.2 To effectively manage all financial changes associated with the redevelopment.

7.3 To ensure that capital and revenue resources are efficiently and effectively deployed to achieve value for money from investments.

7.4 To advise the Board on the appropriate accounting treatment for the PFI assets.

8. Commercial Services

8.1 To be responsible for the Trust’s Commercial Services and business development activities, liaising with clinical colleagues on strategy development and associated marketing activities.

9. Information Management

9.1 To be responsible for the strategic development of the Information Management function ensuring the corporate information needs are identified and provided accordingly.

The primary responsibility for providing equal opportunity rests with the Trust but this responsibility is carried also by each individual employee. This is an important factor in maintaining good employee relations. The post holder will be expected to ensure that no other employee, or job applicant, received less favourable treatment and that, wherever possible, staff are given the help they need to achieve their full potential.

All employees are requested to carry out their duties in a safe and proper manner without risks to the health and safety of any person who may be affected by their actions. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action which may include dismissal.

The tasks and responsibilities of this post will evolve in line with the Trust’s continued organisational development. Any such variation will be agreed in advance between the post holder and Chief Executive Officer.

General Duties of all employees

. To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

. To actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs

. To attend Trust Statutory and Mandatory training sessions as required and any other training courses relevant to the post.

. To be aware of the confidential aspects of the post. Breaches of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action that may involve dismissal. The post holder should also be aware that, regardless of any action taken by the employing authority, breaches of confidentiality could result in civil action for damages.

. All employees must fully comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work. They must also understand and implement St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Hospitals Trust “Statement of Policy on Health and Safety at Work” and the Trust corporate “Health and Safety Policies and Procedures”. You are required to follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to Health and Safety at Work and to take all responsible precautions to avoid actions

. All staff will be treated with respect by management, colleagues, patients and visitors and equally staff will treat management, colleagues, patients and visitors with the same level of respect. Staff will be supported to challenge any discriminatory behaviour that may be based on differences in race, disability, language, culture, religion, sexuality, age, and gender or employment status. . St. Helens & Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust has a ‘No Smoking’ Policy and smoking is not permitted in Trust buildings or vehicles.

. All employees are individually responsible for the prevention and control of infection within their own area. The employee must attend Infection Control Induction training and mandatory Infection Control training. The employee must follow all, Trust policies, procedures and guidelines relating to Infection Control.

. During your employment with the Trust you will be expected to conduct yourself in a manner appropriate to the professional image of the Trust. You will be expected to provide a prompt and efficient service and to maintain appropriate standards of personal appearance at all times

. As a manager you must adhere to the Code of Conduct for NHS Managers which sets out the core standards of conduct expected by all managers within the NHS. The codes can be downloaded from the following website:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/Publicati onsPolicyAnd Guidance/DH 4005410

. To adhere to the standard laid down in the NHS Code of Conduct to Managers.

. The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive. The tasks and responsibilities of this post are likely to evolve in line with the Trust’s continued organisational development.

. The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site. Any such variation will be agreed in advance between the post holder and their Manager as part of the continuing process of management review and development.

Job Description created on 18th August 2009 Person Specification

Job title Director of Finance/Information and Commercial Services

Criteria Essential Desirable Method of Assessment Education /  Qualified accountant with A Qualifications ongoing CPD record

Experience  Substantial senior  Experience of A management experience PFI schemes in NHS Finance  Experience of  Demonstrable track Foundation record of board level Trust Status achievement in a large, A complex environment  Current knowledge of all aspects of finance, A/I corporate governance and controls assurance  Proven experience of developing and reviewing business cases and capacity plans A/I  Sound understanding of NHS strategic change agenda and political environment  Sound understanding of commercial environment. A/I Qualities /  Highly effective A/I Attributes team worker, with both the immediate team and the broader management team  Effective leader, A/I with the ability to inspire confidence and respect, within and outside the organisation.  Ability to combine A/I high-level strategic orientation with more detailed service focus.  Accomplished and A/I resilient negotiator  Political skills and A/I judgement  Multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral player, including collaboration with other agencies.  Understanding of service re-design and improvement methodologies  Highly effective change management skills  Ability to build and sustain key relationships

Other Car owner/supported driver A requirements

Methods of Assessment - Application form (A) Interview (I) Presentation (P) Test/ in tray exercise/ role play (T)