Head Of Finance

Make a meaningful impact where it matters most.

At Saint Francis Hospice, we are passionate about delivering outstanding care and support to people in our community. To help us achieve our strategic ambitions and continue providing exceptional services, we are looking for a qualified, skilled Head of Finance to join our team.

Main duties of the job As our Head of Finance, you will play a key role in the provision of effective (safe) and efficient (responsive and well led) Finance and Procurement services and their on going modernisation and development.

You will be responsible for the Finance Department strategy and business plan, ensuring appropriate prioritisation and delivery of work. You will also contribute to shaping, delivering and embedding the overall strategy and financial and business plans that build on and improve the Hospice's effectiveness.

You will also be responsible for ensuring the Hospice has robust and effective financial policies, controls, procedures, systems, structures, reporting and monitoring.

The Head of Finance will be expected to advise the Director of Finance and the Senior Leadership Team and Line Managers on financial matters, controls and risk management and put in place appropriate operational systems to underpin an effective, progressive, flexible approach.

About us We are a dynamic, forward thinking organisation delivering a full range of specialist palliative care services for individuals and their loved ones with palliative or end of life care needs. We achieved Outstanding in our CQC inspection & have reconfigured our services to meet the changing needs of our local community. We support 5 Clinical Commissioning Groups & have a robust governance structure in place. We provide ward clinical services within a modern, personal & friendly 18 bedded unit, as well as Specialist Community Crisis Support Service, Hospice at Home Service & Specialist Day Therapy Service. We also have the hospice Pepperell Education Centre that has an excellent reputation for delivering high quality education programmes and study days.

All communication regarding your application including invitations to interviews will be sent to the email address you have stated on your application form, if you could also provide a contact telephone number as well.

Saint Francis Hospice is a charity based in the UK. We will require all successful candidates to be able to provide documentary ID proof of their Right to Work in the UK. We are not a Licensed Sponsor, so are unable to provide sponsorship to support applicants applying from outside the UK.

Please note that we are a charity & not part of an NHS Trust & we are situated in a quiet location in the village of Havering atte Bower, outskirts of Romford, therefore please consider our location when applying.

Job responsibilities JOB SUMMARY

• The Head of Finance has responsibility for the provision of effective (safe) and efficient (responsive and well led) Finance and Procurement services and the operational development of these services to meet changing organisational needs.
• Develop the Finance Department strategy and business plan, ensuring appropriate prioritisation and delivery of work, and contribute towards shaping, delivering and embedding financial and overall strategy and business plan that builds on and improves the Hospice's effectiveness.
• Ensure the Hospice has robust and effective financial policies, controls, procedures, systems, structures, reporting and monitoring. Provide prompt and accurate information both for management purposes and external reporting requirements.
• Advise the Director of Finance, Senior Leadership Team and Line Managers on financial matters, controls and risk management, and put in place appropriate operational systems to underpin an effective, progressive, flexible approach.
• Hold key high priority external financial relationships, including with Commissioners, and with peers across the Hospice and charity sector. Contribute to the senior leadership of the Hospice by representing the Hospice at management meetings outside the Hospice and deputising for the Director of Finance as requested.

Contribute effectively to the work of the senior leadership team in shaping the effective operational working of the organisation. Help create a culture in the organisation that is compatible with its values, ethos and vision.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be responsible for the financial function of the Hospice, providing best practice accounting services and operations, ensuring all statutory returns are completed. Ensure day to day processes and controls are appropriate and comply with relevant policies and procedures, that there are appropriate standing guidance and financial instructions, cash flow is monitored and that all external relevant bodies, including regulators, commissioners and other funders, are provided with appropriate information and reports to meet financial and regulatory obligations.
• Represent Finance and Procurement to senior leadership, executive leadership, Trustees and relevant Governance Committees.

Leadership and relationships

• Provide senior leadership, management and direction to the Finance & Procurement Teams to ensure operational goals are achieved and proactive support and advice is provided across the Hospice.
• Motivate and manage staff, including managing performance and assisting with personal/professional development and ensuring appropriate recruitment and succession planning.
• Lead change within the Hospice to sustain it as a learning, caring and responsive organisation. Develop and lead department plans and projects to support the delivery of the Hospice strategy.
• Lead continuous improvement of financial information, reporting, processes and technologies, prioritising change to deliver improvements in controls, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Jointly responsible with the Senior Leadership Team for the effective delivery of the Hospice's operations and business plan and for promoting a supportive, team working culture.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, bankers, tax advisors, insurance brokers, investment managers and other professional financial and legal advisors, as well as financial regulators and sector peers.
• Play an active role across relevant sectors with a view to ensuring best practice, providing help and assistance to other Hospices regionally and nationally, and keeping abreast of issues generally affecting the sector.

Management Information, expertise and advice Provide financial expertise, financial, procurement and non financial analysis, advice and guidance to the Hospice, particularly on financial sustainability/affordability and strategic alignment for projects, business cases and contractual negotiations, and represent the Finance department in Hospice wide projects and initiatives.

Provide Business Partnering support to the Chief Executive and other members of the Executive Leadership Team, including identifying and raising awareness of financial risks and opportunities and recommending appropriate actions.

Ensure the provision of timely, accurate and insightful information to Board, Committees, Executive Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Team, project teams and external bodies, including monthly management accounts and analysis and regular re forecasts.

Advise the Director of Finance (& Resources), CEO and Board on treasury management, cash flow projections, liquidity requirements and maximisation of benefits of cash deposits in line with Investment Strategy and other policies.

Financial strategy, planning, budgets Lead and manage the budget and forecast processes for the Hospice, advising on financial sustainability of future plans including projects and business plans.

Enable longer term financial scenario and budget planning by putting in place effective systems and processes, to support the development, monitoring and implementation of the overall organisational strategy.

Develop a coherent financial strategy to support the overall aims of the Hospice, which co ordinates operational and strategic objectives with the investment strategy, reserves policy and the budget process.

Internal controls and financial systems

• Be responsible for the financial systems, processes and controls of the Hospice, ensuring they are fit for purpose and maintain the accuracy and integrity of data and records.
• Understand the financial impact of new technologies implemented across the Hospice and advise on the implementation of interfaces / procedures to ensure the integrity of financial data across systems with a strategic view to long term efficiency.
• Be responsible for the Hospice's internal financial control environment, monitoring and ensuring compliance, and provide assurance to the Board, CEO and Executive Leadership team.

Reporting and compliance

• Lead the preparation of all published financial information for the Hospice and any subsidiaries or related entities, including the Annual Report and Financial Statements, and ensure compliance with all other required regulatory filings, including VAT and Gift Aid submissions.
• Ensure compliance with financial and finance related regulations including direct tax, indirect tax, specific statutory regulation, accounting regulations, Charities Act, Companies Act, funding requirements, etc.
• Be responsible for the overall risk management process for the Hospice, ensuring compliance with the Hospice's risk management policies and strategies. Include supporting the identification of risk . click apply for full job details