Interim Head of Trust Financial Reporting and Planning

Overview

Interim Head of Trust Financial Reporting and Planning at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT).The closing date is 13 October 2025An exciting opportunity has arisen at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) for the role of Interim Head of Trust Financial Reporting and Planning within the Trust Finance team.The successful candidate will be responsible for day to day management of the full financial reporting and financial planning processes for one of the largest Acute Trusts in the country, which represents a turnover of some £2.8bn.Supporting the Deputy Director of Trust Financial Reporting and Planning you will provide financial leadership in all of MFT reporting and planning and in ensuring the Trust financial reporting and planning complies with all internal requirements, external requirements and all accounting and national standards and guidance.You will be given scope to exercise a high level of judgement in relation to the reporting requirements, suggesting and making changes where required and always seeking to improve reporting through the applied use of existing and new technology.The role will allow you to forge strong relationships with the senior finance teams and senior stakeholders within the MFT Hospitals/Managed Clinical Services/Local Care Organisations and additionally the Corporate Divisions. Externally you will have the opportunity to liaise with senior stakeholders in the GM ICB, NHSE and wider, providing complex information, analysis and explanations of resource allocation.Please note: if sufficient applications are received the advert may close earlier than the specified dateMain duties

To support the Trust financial reporting function of the Trust and by use of highly complex models create, budgets, forecasts and financial plans from the submissions received by 6 clinical groups and 13 Corporate Directorates.Ensure that multiple competing requirements for resources to deliver financial targets for the above are balanced appropriately and reported accurately.To support the monthly close-down and reporting process.To support in ensuring robust financial systems are in place to provide budgetary and reporting information in line with accountancy standards.To maintain knowledge of Trust Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and Financial policies and to ensure compliance at all times in undertaking the duties of the post.To assist in coordinating, consolidating and reviewing any Trust financial reporting returns to NHSE and the GM ICB.To ensure that the Trust''s Long-Term Financial Plan is maintained and developed by the Financial Planning Team in line with the Trust''s medium to long term plans and associated scenario plans.Full details of the role responsibilities can be found in the Job Description.About us

MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn. We are creating an exceptional integrated health and social care system for the 1 million patients who rely on our services every year.Bringing together 10 hospitals and community services from across Manchester, Trafford and beyond, we champion collaborative working and transformation, encouraging our 30,000 workforce to pursue their most ambitious goals. We set standards that other Trusts seek to emulate so you''ll benefit from a scale of opportunity that is nothing short of extraordinary.We have created a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient and staff experience, operational effectiveness and driving research, and innovation through the introduction of Hive; our Electronic Patient Record system which launched in September 2022.We are a major academic Research Centre and Education provider, providing a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. We are also embarking on our Green Plan which sets out how MFT continues to play its part in making healthcare more sustainable.At MFT, we foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, provide equal opportunities for career development that are fair, open, and transparent, protecting your health and wellbeing, and shaping the future of our organisation together.Job responsibilities

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, take a look at the Job Description and Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. Read the Candidate Essentials Guide with the Job Description and Person Specification for details about the Trust, our benefits and how we care for you as you care for others. It also contains critical information you’ll need to be aware of before you submit an application form.Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at resourcing@mft.nhs.uk.We’re looking forward to hearing from you!Person Specification

Qualifications

Unblemished record with CCAB.Demonstrable post qualification development and achievement of CPD.Knowledge

Expert knowledge of NHS financial frameworks or similar complex organisational reporting and planning requirements.Significant understanding, knowledge and application of financial reporting in large NHS or comparable complex healthcare organisation.Expert understanding and application of NHS planning guidance and reporting requirements.Use of software applications supporting the production of budget, forecasts and plans.Demonstrable use introduction of new software applications improving the production of budget, forecasts and plans.Understanding of and application of PLICS or other forms of cost absorption methodologies.Training and Experience

Experience of working in a senior role in NHS finance or comparable complex organisation.Significant experience, understanding and knowledge of financial reporting.Extensive application of NHS or comparable complex healthcare organisation planning guidance and reporting requirements including reporting to external stakeholders and regulators management role.Experience in the use of complex financial models including production of sensitivity analysis for a large organisation.Evidence of post qualification experience in financial reporting and financial planning.Skills and Abilities

Expert level numeracy, numerical reasoning and numerical analysis skills.Experience in a multiple, complex stakeholder and partnership-dependent environment.Highly analytical with a structured and methodical approach to problem solving and able to translate and interpret large amounts of data, ability to manipulate large quantities of highly complex financial information.Able to manage day to day business challenges, including staff management, reporting writing and dealing with stakeholder queries, whilst not losing sight of the long-term strategic goals.Strong and effective people management skills, capable of nurturing talent and managing performance during periods of significant change and transition.The ability to influence and persuade others, creating successful and effective working relationships through strong, positive interpersonal skills and excellent written and oral communication skills.Commercially astute and able to develop models of income and expenditure strategies to drive Trust growth and improve cash flow.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.Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustDetails

Salary: £76,965 to £88,682 per annum, pro rataContract: Fixed termDuration: 9 monthsWorking pattern:Reference number: 349-COR-7469414-RL4Job ..... full job details .....