Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join NHS England East of England Region as part of the Commissioning Finance Team.
We are looking for a Head of Finance - Commissioning Finance who is highly motivated, talented, and well organised to support the Director of Commissioning Finance in leading the Specialised Commissioning Finance Team.
Specialised services deemed suitable for delegation transferred to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in the East Region from April 2024 with the Specialised Commissioning Finance team employed by NHS England providing the financial service to the 6 ICBs for the delegated Specialised allocations. From July 2025 the Specialised Commissioning team along with all support services including Finance will be hosted by Bedford Luton and Milton Keynes ICB. The successful applicant will play a significant role in preparing for and supporting finance staff through the transition. The postholder as part of the Commissioning Hub will support ICBs to deliver the benefits of more integrated commissioning.
Main duties of the job
Working to the Director of Commissioning Finance and working closely with the commissioning function provide financial advice on all aspects of their responsibilities around Specialised commissioning.
This will include:
Senior oversight and input on financial planning, advice and reporting on specialised commissioning budgets. A point of escalation for contract negotiation with providers, ensuring that the negotiating strategy is aligned with the ICB approach to non-specialised services where appropriate. Working as part of the wider system as a senior specialised commissioning finance team representative to ICSs. Lead on key projects and procurements as appropriate. Coordinate the financial performance of the team within the region and monitor and manage performance against financial targets and plans including transformation, patient pathway redesign, productivity and efficiency. Support the Director of Commissioning Finance to deliver across the regional team on contracts, transformation productivity & efficiency targets. Liaise and advise as necessary with the national team. Deputise for the Director of Commissioning Finance as appropriate.
About us
The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all. We will achieve this purpose by: Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities. Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential. Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care. Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation. Delivering value for money.
Job responsibilities
As Head of Commissioning Finance the post holder will lead a dynamic team of Commissioning Finance staff in delivering an effective service supporting managers and staff across the Specialised Commissioning Team ensuring systems, processes and oversight arrangements are in place to deliver financial management and contracting for Specialised services.
Key aspects of this role will be to: Ensure the strategy is formulated, understood by all stakeholders and is delivered utilising all available resources efficiently and effectively. Ensure the development and management of relevant strategic plans, within the Sector. Ensure appropriate system and processes are in place to enable the implementation of the strategy plans in the new organisations. Proactively manage the key risks and issues associated with ensuring appropriate actions are taken to mitigate or respond. Monitoring and establishing accountability on the overall progress of the strategy to ensure completion within agreed timescales. Manage the whole budgetary implications of activity. Avoid the destabilisation of business as usual. Manage and actively promote the relationships with key stakeholders.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Qualified Accountant (CCAB or CIMA qualified). Experience of project and programme management techniques and tools such as Prince 2 or Managing Successful Projects. Desirable
Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area. Knowledge & Experience
Essential
Experience at Head of Finance or equivalent level in the NHS or other public healthcare related industry. Commercially aware, with significant expertise in areas such as contract management, investment appraisal. An effective people manager, who sets high standards, motivates and develops staff and stakeholders. Experience of prioritising and managing significant resources including budgets with solid knowledge of financial process requirements. Skills and Capabilities
Essential
Strong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment. Demonstrable leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. #J-18808-Ljbffr
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join NHS England East of England Region as part of the Commissioning Finance Team.
We are looking for a Head of Finance - Commissioning Finance who is highly motivated, talented, and well organised to support the Director of Commissioning Finance in leading the Specialised Commissioning Finance Team.
Specialised services deemed suitable for delegation transferred to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in the East Region from April 2024 with the Specialised Commissioning Finance team employed by NHS England providing the financial service to the 6 ICBs for the delegated Specialised allocations. From July 2025 the Specialised Commissioning team along with all support services including Finance will be hosted by Bedford Luton and Milton Keynes ICB. The successful applicant will play a significant role in preparing for and supporting finance staff through the transition. The postholder as part of the Commissioning Hub will support ICBs to deliver the benefits of more integrated commissioning.
Main duties of the job
Working to the Director of Commissioning Finance and working closely with the commissioning function provide financial advice on all aspects of their responsibilities around Specialised commissioning.
This will include:
Senior oversight and input on financial planning, advice and reporting on specialised commissioning budgets. A point of escalation for contract negotiation with providers, ensuring that the negotiating strategy is aligned with the ICB approach to non-specialised services where appropriate. Working as part of the wider system as a senior specialised commissioning finance team representative to ICSs. Lead on key projects and procurements as appropriate. Coordinate the financial performance of the team within the region and monitor and manage performance against financial targets and plans including transformation, patient pathway redesign, productivity and efficiency. Support the Director of Commissioning Finance to deliver across the regional team on contracts, transformation productivity & efficiency targets. Liaise and advise as necessary with the national team. Deputise for the Director of Commissioning Finance as appropriate.
About us
The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all. We will achieve this purpose by: Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities. Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential. Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care. Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation. Delivering value for money.
Job responsibilities
As Head of Commissioning Finance the post holder will lead a dynamic team of Commissioning Finance staff in delivering an effective service supporting managers and staff across the Specialised Commissioning Team ensuring systems, processes and oversight arrangements are in place to deliver financial management and contracting for Specialised services.
Key aspects of this role will be to: Ensure the strategy is formulated, understood by all stakeholders and is delivered utilising all available resources efficiently and effectively. Ensure the development and management of relevant strategic plans, within the Sector. Ensure appropriate system and processes are in place to enable the implementation of the strategy plans in the new organisations. Proactively manage the key risks and issues associated with ensuring appropriate actions are taken to mitigate or respond. Monitoring and establishing accountability on the overall progress of the strategy to ensure completion within agreed timescales. Manage the whole budgetary implications of activity. Avoid the destabilisation of business as usual. Manage and actively promote the relationships with key stakeholders.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Qualified Accountant (CCAB or CIMA qualified). Experience of project and programme management techniques and tools such as Prince 2 or Managing Successful Projects. Desirable
Educated to masters level or equivalent level of experience of working at a senior level in specialist area. Knowledge & Experience
Essential
Experience at Head of Finance or equivalent level in the NHS or other public healthcare related industry. Commercially aware, with significant expertise in areas such as contract management, investment appraisal. An effective people manager, who sets high standards, motivates and develops staff and stakeholders. Experience of prioritising and managing significant resources including budgets with solid knowledge of financial process requirements. Skills and Capabilities
Essential
Strong external communications skills in a politically sensitive environment. Demonstrable leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning with highly developed political skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. #J-18808-Ljbffr
