About this role
Job summary
Are you an ambitious, forward-thinking leader who thrives on turning complexity into opportunity? Do you have the drive to challenge how things are done, embrace innovation and deliver meaningful improvements across a large and complex NHS service?
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and dynamic Deputy Head of All-Age Complex and Continuing Care (Central Services) to join our senior leadership team at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a pivotal Band 8B leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape how our All-Age Complex and Continuing Care (AACCC) service operates, driving improvements in business performance, financial governance, operational efficiency and service transformation.
We are looking for someone who can see the bigger picture while getting to the heart of operational challenges. Someone who is confident challenging established ways of working, using data to drive decisions and turning ambitious ideas into practical, sustainable improvements.
With the NHS 10 Year Health Plan placing digital transformation at the heart of service reform, you'll have the opportunity to lead a digital-first approach, exploring automation, AI and smarter ways of working to reduce bureaucracy, improve productivity and release capacity for frontline care.
If you're ready to make a real difference, influence change at scale and help shape the future of continuing care, we'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Head of AACCC (Central Services), you will provide senior leadership and strategic oversight of the business and non-clinical functions supporting the delivery of All-age Complex and Continuing Care service.
Working as a key member of the senior leadership team, you will:
- Drive service-wide performance: Lead the development of robust performance management and assurance arrangements, using data and intelligence to identify risks, challenge underperformance and support sustained improvement against national standards.
- Lead business operations: Provide strategic direction to central business and administrative functions, ensuring services are efficient, responsive, consistent and well governed.
- Strengthen financial oversight: Oversee financial administration, expenditure reporting, invoice processes and financial controls, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce avoidable costs.
- Champion digital transformation: Lead improvements in digital systems, business intelligence, automation and the responsible use of AI to modernise processes and improve productivity.
- Strengthen governance and assurance: Ensure effective risk management, internal controls, audit arrangements and compliance across business functions.
You'll work closely with clinical, operational and commissioning colleagues, bringing together people, processes and information to support the effective delivery of care.
About us
Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the contract.
Why Join Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust?
At Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, our people are at the heart of everything we do.
As a Disability Confident Employer and recipient of the Gold Award in the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, we actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds to build rewarding careers within the NHS.
We also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance. By supporting flexible working arrangements wherever possible, we enable our colleagues to balance their professional and personal commitments while continuing to deliver outstanding care to our patients. Whether flexibility means adjusted hours, part-time working, hybrid arrangements or alternative working patterns, we work in partnership with our staff to meet both individual and service needs.
Join UsWhether you're at the start of your career or looking for your next challenge, Frimley Health offers the opportunity to be part of a inclusive, forward-thinking organisation that is committed to excellence, innovation and compassionate care. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare and make a real difference to the lives of the communities we serve.
Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Deputy Head of All-Age Complex and Continuing Care (Central Services) will be responsible for providing senior leadership, direction and oversight of the business and non-clinical operational functions within AACCC.
The postholder will operate across a large, geographically dispersed service, working collaboratively with clinical and operational leaders, commissioners and system partners to ensure that business processes, resources and governance arrangements support effective, efficient and sustainable service delivery.
Strategic and operational leadership
- Provide senior leadership of central business operations, translating organisational priorities into clear operational plans and measurable improvements.
- Lead the development of consistent and effective business processes, ensuring that administrative functions support timely decision-making and the delivery of agreed service standards.
- Identify and address operational pressures, risks and inefficiencies, providing constructive challenge and driving improvements across the service.
- Deputise for the Head of Service as required, representing AACCC at senior organisational and system meetings.
Performance management and service improvement
- Lead the development and oversight of the service-wide performance management framework, including reporting against national and locally agreed standards.
- Maintain oversight of key performance indicators, including the 28-day CHC assessment standard, productivity, waiting times, backlogs and operational activity.
- Work with clinical and operational leaders to understand performance challenges, coordinate recovery plans and monitor the delivery of agreed improvements.
- Develop effective business intelligence and reporting arrangements, ensuring that decisions are informed by accurate, timely and meaningful information.
Financial management and resource oversight
- Provide senior oversight of financial administration and controls, including invoice processing, validation, reconciliation and expenditure reporting.
- Work with finance colleagues and budget holders to identify financial risks, improve processes and strengthen accountability.
- Support the identification and delivery of cost improvement opportunities, ensuring that financial efficiency is considered alongside operational effectiveness.
- Contribute to workforce affordability assessments, business cases and resource planning.
Digital transformation and innovation
- Champion a digital-first approach to business operations, identifying opportunities to improve systems, automate processes and reduce administrative burden.
- Lead improvements in data quality, business intelligence and the effective use of digital technologies.
- Explore opportunities for the responsible adoption of AI and other emerging technologies, ensuring that innovation delivers measurable benefits.
- Work with digital and information governance colleagues to ensure that changes are appropriately assessed, implemented and embedded.
Governance, risk and assurance
- Ensure effective business governance, risk management and internal controls across the functions within the postholder's remit.
- Lead the development and implementation of business policies, standard operating procedures and quality assurance arrangements.
- Support internal and external audit activity, ensuring that recommendations are implemented and improvements sustained.
- Maintain clear accountability and effective working arrangements between the Trust, ICBs and other partner organisations.
Workforce leadership and development
- Provide senior leadership and line management to designated business and operational managers.
- Lead workforce planning, establishment management and resource deployment across central business functions.
- Promote a positive and inclusive culture, encouraging innovation, professional development and continuous improvement.
- Support organisational change, ensuring that teams are engaged and equipped to deliver new ways of working.
Partnership working and senior representation
- Build effective relationships with senior colleagues across Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, ICBs, local authorities and other partner organisations.
- Work collaboratively with clinical leadership and the separate commissioning, contracting and brokerage function to ensure effective coordination of service delivery.
- Provide clear, evidence-based advice, reports and recommendations to senior leadership teams and governance forums.
- Exercise a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement, making decisions within delegated authority and escalating matters appropriately.
The postholder will be expected to demonstrate strong leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities within a complex and changing environment. They will play a central role in strengthening operational performance, delivering sustainable efficiencies and supporting the ongoing transformation of AACCC.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to master's level or equivalent demonstrable senior management experience in All-age Continuing Care/ Complex Care
- Evidence of continuing professional development in leadership, management, business improvement or related areas.
Desirable
- Postgraduate management, leadership, finance, improvement or project/programme qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Substantial senior management experience in a complex NHS or comparable public service environment.
- Experience leading non-clinical operations and managing managers or multidisciplinary business teams.
- Extensive experience in NHS Continuing Healthcare, Children's Continuing Care or other Complex Care health and care services.
Desirable
- Evidence of developing performance frameworks, challenging underperformance and coordinating recovery plans
- Experience leading digital or business intelligence transformation.
Knowledge
Essential
- Expert knowledge of the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care.
Desirable
- Advanced business intelligence, dashboarding, automation or programme management expertise.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Hybrid
RG30 2BA
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)