Head of Finance

For further information about this role, please contact Steve Barron (Acting Deputy Chief Finance Officer) via:

Email/MS Teams: steven.barron1@nhs.net

About The Role

In this role you will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Trust's financial planning, performance and governance. You will ensure robust financial management, advise senior leaders and guide financial decisionmaking to support longterm sustainability and operational effectiveness.

You will be a key senior leader within the operational management team and lead the delivery of the financial agenda for your areas of support.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Main duties

• Interpret and apply financial legislation, NHS finance policies, and related regulatory requirements.
• Communicate and negotiate effectively with Executive Directors, clinicians, managers, and external partners at a senior level.
• Provide expert financial advice and lead planning, monitoring, and forecasting to support divisional and mediumterm Trust financial strategy.
• Lead all divisional financial management activities, delegating appropriately to the financial management team.
• Be responsible for the accuracy and production of corporate financial data of the areas they support i.e. external reporting, statutory returns and final accounts.
• Lead or contribute significantly to contractual arrangements with Commissioners, other NHS Trusts, and Independent Sector providers.
• Develop and foster effective partnerships with other Divisions, Corporate Directorates and local system partners.
  
  

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Qualifications

Essential person specification requirements

• CCAB qualified accountant and/or CIMA qualified
  
  

Experience

• Significant post qualification experience in NHS organisation
• Substantial experience at senior management level including experience of strategic management
• Track record of strong leadership, organisational change and performance improvement
• Experience of working in a pressurised, unpredictable environment
• Evidence of working across organisational boundaries
• Formally participates in CPD and specialist training
  
  

Knowledge And Awareness

• Expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures affecting the Trust and the NHS
• Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of financial and other aspects of legislation and NHS finance policies
• Sound knowledge of how the NHS operates and ability to make significant strategic and operational decisions
• Sound knowledge of corporate/clinical governance and risk management
  
  

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further details.

Be part of MY team

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.

We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.

If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Application Guidance

We understand that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Our Benefits

• Access to the NHS pension plan
• Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
• Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
• Extensive benefits and support, including:
• Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
• Home electronics scheme
• Cycle to work scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
• Car lease salary sacrifice scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
• Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
• Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
• Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
• Career progression, training and support
  
  

Skilled worker sponsorship

You can find out more about skilled worker and health and care visas on our .