Job summary
- Main area
- Finance – Financial Management
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8c
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 125-ICB-013-26
- Employer
- NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- County Hall
- Town
- Preston
- Salary
- £79,504 - £91,609 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 22/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Associate Director of Finance - Community and AACC Services
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Job overview
The Associate Director of Finance – Community and AACC Services is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic and operational financial oversight across Community and All Age Continuing Care services. The postholder supports effective financial planning, governance and performance management, while advising senior leaders on complex financial issues, national policy changes and the implications for the wider organisation.
Main duties of the job
Lead the Community and AACC finance function, including pooled budgets such as the Better Care Fund, operational planning and compliance with NHS guidance and accounting policies.
Provide expert financial advice to Executive Directors and committees.
Lead long-term financial planning and scenario modelling.
Lead monthly management accounts, annual planning, budget setting and control, efficiency programmes and reporting for Community and AACC services.
Oversee financial monitoring, forecasting and reporting.
Interpret national policy and financial regime changes, assess their impact and translate requirements into clear guidance for budget holders.
Provide professional financial and commercial leadership to colleagues.
Act as financial lead for relevant external service providers.
Provide strategic financial leadership to procurement and contracting, ensuring robust value-for-money assessments.
Ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions, statutory duties and the NHS financial framework.
Maintain effective internal controls, financial risk management and audit compliance.
Support financial control and liaise with auditors, NHS England and fraud specialists as required.
Influence strategic decision-making at system, regional and national levels.
Promote accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, innovation, digital adoption and best practice across the ICB.
Model inclusive, compassionate and values-based leadership.
Working for our organisation
The post holder may have regular contact with a wide range of staff at all levels within the ICB, with senior and other representatives of local stakeholders, as well as with patients and their representatives. Some of the key direct relationships include:
- Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB executive teams
- Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB leadership teams
- Chief Information Officers / Digital Leads
- Clinical Leaders
- Colleagues within NHSE
- Senior leaders across Lancashire and South Cumbria, NHS, local authorities and other third sector organisations
- Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB commissioning teams / service managers
- Internal and external auditors and NHS England finance colleagues
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Associate Director of Finance - Community and AACC Services provides strategic leadership, direction and oversight for the Community and All Age Continuing Care finance function ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe and efficient services. The postholder will develop and implement organisational wide strategies to ensure oversight of the operational management and performance of the Community and All Age Continuing Care (AACC) finance function. The postholder will support the development of robust resource and financial processes in conjunction with partner organisations across the local health and care economy, providing professional and business planning advice on financial matters across commissioned services.
They will act as a senior adviser to Executive Directors, including interpreting complex national finance policy and guidance and advising on the financial implications for the ICB. They will influence organisational direction and represent the organisation at regional and national forums. The role requires highly developed political, strategic and professional judgement, with accountability for leading senior staff and driving transformation across the system.
Key responsibilities
The role will be varied and will adapt over time as the ICB develops. Reporting to the Director of Financial Management, the postholder is expected to fulfil the following key functions:
· Provide strategic leadership and professional direction for Community and AACC finance function.
· Lead organisational wide strategy development for the Community and AACC finance function and oversee delivery across multiple programmes.
· Interpret highly complex changes in national policy, assess impact, and provide analysis and act as senior advisor on financial implications to Executive Directors, contributing to corporate decision making.
· Represent the ICB at regional, national and cross system forums.
· Lead the senior Community and AACC finance team, including direct line management of Band 8a–8b staff.
· Oversee high value budgets, resource allocation and financial planning with regard to Community and AACC.
· Ensure that governance, statutory obligations and regulatory requirements are met.
· Drive major transformation, innovation and service redesign across the system.
· Foster strategic partnerships across NHS bodies, local authorities, VCSE sectors and external agencies.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies) qualified accountant with current membership (or equivalent level 7 professionally qualified accountant) with evidence of continuing professional development. Evidence of significant senior leadership / management development
Desirable criteria
- Executive leadership programme, coaching qualification or equivalent advanced leadership training.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive senior finance leadership experience in a complex organisational, regional or system environment. Demonstrable experience of developing effective and robust systems for achieving effective performance management. Evidence of successfully leading significant organisational change / transformation. Operational and strategic financial planning, budgeting and service costing expertise. Proven track record of influencing and leading at an organisational level. Demonstrable experience developing and delivering system wide or organisation wide finance strategies. Experience presenting and advising at executive, board or regional/national forums. Experience line managing senior leaders (Band 8a–8b or equivalent).
Desirable criteria
- Experience working with national bodies, regulators or government departments. Experience contributing to national or regional policy development.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- In depth knowledge of strategic financial control, financial business planning, strategic financial management, translating organisational strategy and vision into operational reality. Strong understanding of financial governance, regulation, assurance and risk frameworks. Advanced communication, influencing, negotiation and presentation skills. Able to articulate to the standard required for the ICB Board and Audit Committee. Ability to interpret complex finance information. Strong financial acumen.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of improvement science, innovation methodologies and digital transformation. Understanding of population health, health inequalities and integrated care models.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Resilient, adaptable, and calm under pressure Politically astute with high emotional intelligence Strong personal credibility and professional integrity Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation Passionate about improving outcomes and value in public services
Other
Essential criteria
- Ability to travel across the system as required Ability to work flexibly to meet organisational priorities
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Emma McGrath
- Job title
- Acting Director of Financial Management
- Email address
- [email protected]
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