Director of Finance - B9

Posting date:	19 February 2026
Salary:	£109,179.00 to £125,637.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£109179.00 - £125637.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	04 March 2026
Location:	Chelmsford, CM1 1QH
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	D9708-MSE478

Summary

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY The proposed Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will be a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the proposed Essex ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation. By establishing clear and transparent funding arrangements, triangulated with activity and workforce within our system we aim to support our collective understanding of how resources are allocated across the system for both revenue and capital. Our Director of Finance will lead the Finance function with the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial. The team plays a key part in delivering the organisations strategic and this role will be expected to operate as part of the organisations wider leadership team. Leading across the whole span of finance, from costing and productivity, business partnering and statutory accounts delivery the Director of Finance will be a subject matter expert with the credibility to deliver and deputise for the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial when required. A business partner in themselves, they will be expected to work flexibly to deliver innovative approaches to new ways of working and enabling new models of care for the system. The Director of Finance, Director of Commercial and Director of Estates will work closely together supporting each others objectives to ensure the Directorate delivers together. As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Executive Director of Finance and Commercial and the CEO in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan: From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning. From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health. From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement. The post holder will be required to work autonomously and will ultimately be responsible for helping deliver the negotiation, agreement and delivery of ICB strategy. The post holder will be responsible for bringing partners together to agree multiple programmes of work and also for agreeing contribution of resources to these programmes. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below: Policy and service development Develop and implement policy and / or service developments related to Finance. Translating high-level policy commitments from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan, into programmes that will deliver improved outcomes and sustainable services for the local population Development and oversight of relevant ICB policies Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management Accountability for the financial control environment of the organization, working with the Heads of Finance to ensure that appropriate Standing Financial Instructions, Standing orders, financial policies and procedures are in place. Drive change within the finance team, championing the move to focusing on trends, forecasting and run rates and ensuring processes are in place to deliver the shift to earlier reporting cycles. Strategy and analysisUse of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making Analysis of large volumes of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to finance Turning analysis into useful insights that can inform decision making Present highly complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services Provision of expert financial advice and analysis as required to support the Executive Committee and Board in decision making. Lead the development of the Financial Strategy for the ICB. Provide leadership and responsibility for the delivery of critical strategic programmes as prioritised by the ICB/ ICS and defined by the Executive Analysing the risks associated with the work of the Directorate and supporting the Executive Director to report on and mitigate. Planning and organisation Develop project and / or programme plans to drive delivery of complex programmes relating to finance Required to provide strategic leadership to business cases on behalf of the Executive Director and the Chief Executive. Supporting the Heads of Finance to deliver effective end to end planning, monitoring and close down of the financial position, monthly, annually and over the medium term. Planning for and reporting effectively to regulators, building a direct relationship with the regional and national team where required. Manage delivery against agreed project / programme plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting Develop and oversee annual business plan for Finance team Lead on the financial reporting to the Board and sub-committees of the report, attending and presenting at committees and meetings as required. Ownership of the ICB plan, delivering and reporting on the ICB financial position, including Investment standards, System Development Funds Communications and Partnerships Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making Manage complex and contentious situations with stakeholders Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities Effective engagement with patients and the public as required Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of complex programmes that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system Sharing complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery With the Executive Director of Finance & Commercial, supporting the communication and relationship with the Finance Committee and Audit Committee Chairs of the organisations. As well as other Non-Executive members as required. Engaging clinicians and being an ambassador for finance across the ICB. Close working with peers across partner organisations building networks and relationships to support improvements for the residents of Essex. Working with the Head of Finance to ensure strong and transparent relationships with both internal and external audit. Financial and resource management Responsible for management of budget for aligned to the Directorate, including budget setting and accountability for delivering against agreed budget Team management and capability building Develop and lead the team, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members Oversee team delivery, including objective setting and annual performance management Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition Act as Information Asset Owner (IAO) where nominated to do so by the Executive or senior leadership team, taking responsibility for the management of information assets created and utilised by the team Encouragement and support of all team members to engage in the One NHS Finance agenda, HfMA and Financial Staff Skills and professional bodies to ensure the development of a broad range of learning for team members and direct line reports. Other Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver on requirements of the role Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings There is an occasional requirement for intense concentration e.g. preparing and presenting Board level reports. Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel) Flexibility and evolving responsibilities As the ICB continues to evolve, all senior leader portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures. KEY RELATIONSHIPS Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.