Corporate Operations Directorate
Finance Manager
The National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre is a hosted organisation provided through a partnership of:
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
• Imperial College London
• King’s College London
• Newcastle University
• PA Consulting Group
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
National Institute of Health Research, Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health/Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Finance Manager – 1.0 FTE
This post will be based in Leeds
To develop and oversee the management of a comprehensive and high quality financial and business planning, advice and support service to meet the strategic objectives of the NIHR Clinical Research Network.
This will include the future direction, development and provision of financial management information, financial analysis, financial training, systems development, budget monitoring and control in respect of LCRN funding. Notably, to coordinate and maintain the financial returns process for the LCRNs and subsequent reporting to the Department of Health and relevant management groups.
The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN and holds the Bronze award. We will be happy to consider job share applications and are committed to flexible working for all our employees.
University Grade 8 (£39,324 - £46,924 per annum) depending upon qualifications and experience.
Informal enquiries should be directed to either: Sarah Thorp or Seema Verma, Heads of Finance, Email: or , or Tel: 0113 343 0389
General enquiries regarding your online application should be directed to:
Claire Porteus, HR Assistant, Email: or
Tel: 0113 343 0438
Job Ref: MHNCC1083 Closing Date: 2 April 2017
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Planning and Implementation
· Provide comprehensive financial and business planning, advice and support to facilitate the successful achievement of the strategic objectives of the NIHR Clinical Research Network.
· Proactively work with Network and other colleagues to develop on-going value-for-money reviews and cost efficiency evaluations. Help to ensure that excellent financial performance management contributes to the renewal of the CRNCC contract at the University of Leeds.
· Contribute to the strategic planning that underpins the allocation of resources across the Clinical Research Network.
Financial Performance Management
· Coordinate and maintain the financial returns process for LCRNs with a total annual budget of approximately £300million, to ensure that the NIHR CRN operates within available resources.
· Provide analysis and interpretation of NIHR CRN financial information, as captured in the quarterly Finance Review Analysis Packs (FRAPs) and advise the LCRN Management Group, LCRN Performance Review Meetings, CRNCC Executive Board and the Consortium Board as appropriate.
· Review and redesign the FRAP process in order to improve the CRN financial data to maximise LCRN performance.
· Lead the financial modelling for the annual CRN Funding Proposal to the Department of Health. Ensure that allocations are guided by the consistent application of agreed principles, and do not introduce perverse incentives or other unintended consequences across the CRN.
· Lead the development of planning and reporting systems for the NIHR CRN, to enable its active financial management, and to ensure that appropriate information is collected to meet the reporting requirements of the Department of Health and to allow analysis of financial performance, including value-for-money.
· Report to Department of Health on NIHR CRN financial performance on a quarterly and annual basis, and on an ad-hoc basis in the event of any material changes between these periods. This will include preparing the reports required for the quarterly contract review meetings with the Department of Health.
· Prepare relevant papers including appropriate advice for the Network Funding and Financial Management Steering Group to allow decision to be made in relation to the active financial management of the NIHR CRN.
· Review and update the multi-layered CRN Financial Control Framework as required, designing and implementing future financial health-check visits as required across the CRN.
· Overseeing the financial health-checks undertaken by the Finance Team and reporting the findings to the relevant CRN Boards and Committees in a timely manner. Update the financial and other guidance (e.g. CRN Performance and Operating Framework) for the CRN accordingly, and work alongside LCRNs with their improvement plans if necessary.
Line Management
· Manage the team of two Assistant LCRN Finance Managers and two LCRN Accountants; to include setting objectives for the team, allocating work and monitoring achievement against operational plans.
· Plan and manage available resources to achieve the team’s overall objectives.
· Act as a role model to the team by developing and motivating the team through coaching, mentoring, conducting staff reviews and identifying training needs.
· Ensure the health, safety and well-being of those within the team.
Other
· Undertake role of Project Sponsor for the future development of the CRN Finance Tool as required.
· Provide advice, support and direction to colleagues in LCRNs and the CRNCC in relation to finance matters.
· Ensure that the finance training needs of non-finance managers in the NIHR CRN are met, by identifying training requirements and working with appropriate sector bodies to design and deliver training and presentations.
· Contribute as required to the implementation of any changes required to the financial management of the CRN, including reporting frequency, reporting requirements, systems development, etc as a result of the Governance Review.
· Oversee the Finance work to progress the further development of the CRN Activity Capture and Attribution Template (ACAT) as part of the implementation of the Attribution of the costs of health and social care Research and Development (AcoRD) guidance.
· Review and interpret existing and future Department of Health and HM Treasury policies, procedures and guidance on the use of public funds, and advise the CRNCC Executive Board and other groups on the impact of any changes.
· Prepare and implement suitable policies, procedures and guidance to ensure LCRNs and CRNCC are in compliance with the above, and are utilising funds on eligible expenditure, accounted for in an appropriate manner.
· Deputise for the Head of Finance as required, primarily but not exclusively, in relation to Network finances.
UNIVERSITY VALUES
All staff are expected to operate in line with the university’s values and standards, which work as an integral part of our strategy and set out the principles of how we work together. More information about the University’s strategy and values is available at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/comms/strategy/
ACCOUNTABILITY
The post holder will report to the Head of Finance, and will have management responsibilities for the two Assistant LCRN Finance Managers.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
· Qualified CCAB accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA).
· Significant experience in management accounting, strategic planning, budget coordination, preparation, management and control in a medium or large-sized organisation.
· Significant costing experience in a complex financial environment including individual project costings, overall organisational resource and income planning including alternative scenario development and sensitivity analysis.
· Excellent analytical skills.
· Evidence of delivering results to tight deadlines, including ability to prioritise own work.
· Commitment to providing a high quality customer-focused service.
· Ability to exercise initiative in an innovative, versatile and strategic way.
· Attention to detail and conscientious, enthusiastic, flexible and proactive approach to work.
· Experience of providing financial and budgetary training to non-financial managers.
· Evidence of an ability to work effectively as part of a team, along with self-motivation and the ability to work on your own initiative.
· Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with colleagues at all levels and from a variety of backgrounds including senior Department of Health colleagues.
· Significant experience of line management responsibilities.
· Experience and confidence of delegating key projects or significant pieces of work whilst maintaining appropriate monitoring and oversight to provide timely support, guidance and corrective action as required.
· Excellent IT skills, including Microsoft Office and especially Excel, and experience of applying IT skills to the provision of accurate management information, including experience of management information reporting using a large-scale accounting system.
· Excellent presentation and written skills, including report writing.
· Ability to display tact and political skills.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality.
· Willingness to develop new skills and undergo further training as necessary.
Desirable
· Experience of working within a Higher Education and/or NHS financial administrative function and familiarity of relevant administrative procedures.
· Understanding of medical, scientific and/or research terminology.
· Experience of contract negotiations.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
NIHR Clinical Research Network
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) makes it possible for all patients and health professionals across England to participate in relevant clinical trials. We provide the infrastructure that allows high-quality clinical research to take place in the NHS, so that patients can benefit from new and better treatments. We also help researchers to set up clinical studies quickly and effectively, we support the life-sciences industry to deliver their research programmes, we provide health professionals with research training and we work with patients to ensure their needs are at the very centre of all research activity. With annual funding of £300m and a portfolio of some 6000 clinical studies, we provide a workforce of several thousand embedded NHS staff, supported by streamlined, effective and efficient operational systems, to support the delivery of research in all clinical specialties in all NHS sectors. The NIHR CRN is formed of 15 Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) that provide coverage of the whole of England, and our portfolio of studies is organised in 30 clinical research Specialties.
The NIHR CRN Coordinating Centre (CRNCC) provides national coordination and oversight of the CRN, which includes development and implementation of national CRN strategies, policies, systems, processes, frameworks and standards, and support and performance management for the LCRNs and CRN Specialties.
The Coordinating Centre is a hosted organisation jointly managed by the University of Leeds and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (“the CRNCC Consortium”). Some specific activities are provided by a broader Alliance of partners that includes Newcastle University, the University of Liverpool, Kings College London, Imperial College London, and PA Consulting Group.
For further information about the NIHR Clinical Research Network, please visit our website: http://www.crn.nihr.ac.uk/
National Institute for Health Research
The NIHR Clinical Research Network is a key element of the National Institute for Health Research, which is funded through the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR is a large, multi-faceted and nationally distributed organisation. Together, NIHR people, facilities and systems represent the most integrated clinical research system in the world, driving research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and the economy.
Since its establishment, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research.
Further information on the National Institute for Health Research can be found at: www.nihr.ac.uk
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the UK’s largest, most prestigious and diverse research-intensive universities. Ranked amongst the world’s top 100 universities in the QS World rankings, and a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities, the University has an annual turnover of £587 million, over 31000 students and 7500 staff. It is now embarking on an exciting and critical period in its development, making significant investments in its infrastructure and research capability as part of a new strategic plan.
The CRN CC is hosted within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. The Faculty is at the forefront of cutting edge discovery science and translational clinical research and has a broad portfolio of programmes of study, training tomorrow’s healthcare and medical professionals. With around 1600 staff and more than 6500 students it is the largest faculty in the University of Leeds, and is one of the largest medical faculties in Europe.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
With an annual turnover of £1.2 billion, GSTFT has a national and international reputation for managing and delivering a vast range of clinical research at scale, as well as for the corporate integration of research as a core business activity incorporating hosting functions and strong collaborative partnering to create a hub of research management expertise.
The Trust recognises the importance that commercial acumen and discipline brings to the long term sustainability of the organisation, especially in respect of working with complex and varied providers and identifying new revenue streams. GSTFT is a UK leader in strategic and joint ventures in healthcare delivery and as a result, the Trust now has the largest commercial directorate of any Trust within UK. The Trust’s Commercial Directorate, as the commercial arm of the organisation, works closely in support of Trust services to develop and deliver external contract income. This income generation is achieved by using the reputation, skills, capacity and location of the Trust and its staff. The Commercial Directorate builds on over 20 years' experience of delivering health services to external organisations both nationally and internationally.
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a world famous brand; it is one of only two UK Higher Education institutions to have a campus in China, has opened an innovative new campus in London and is the largest provider of wholly online degrees in Europe. Our research expertise spans a broad range of disciplines and is world leading in a number of subject areas. We have a national profile for our contribution to widening participation in UK Higher Education, ensuring that no student able to benefit from studying at a Russell Group University is deterred from applying as a result of financial constraints.
The University has ambitious plans for growth and has been pursuing a transformation agenda for a number of years. This is manifest in part in significant development of our University campus and the introduction of award winning Central Teaching Laboratories and on-campus student accommodation, a £25m investment in our libraries, £36m investment in our engineering facilities alongside a recent overhaul of Guild of Students building which has been transformed as a result of £12m investment.