Associate Director of Finance – Planning, Income & Contracts
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Full time – 37.5 hours per week
South East London
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is seeking a senior finance leader for the role of Associate Director of Finance – Planning, Income & Contracts.
This is a high-impact role at the centre of the Trust’s financial planning, income strategy and commissioner relationships. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the successful candidate will lead on strategic financial planning, contracting, income optimisation and business case development, while acting as a key link between the Trust, clinical directorates and external NHS partners.
It is an excellent opportunity for a commercially astute and highly credible senior finance professional who enjoys operating in a complex stakeholder environment. The role offers broad exposure across planning, contracting, commissioning and performance, with the chance to influence major organisational decisions, shape financial strategy and support the Trust in responding to a changing healthcare landscape.
The role
This position will lead the financial planning and contracting agenda across the organisation, ensuring the Trust has robust plans, effective processes and strong external relationships in place to support delivery of its strategic objectives.
You will take the lead on the Trust’s medium and longer-term financial planning, annual planning cycle, income and contract management, and the financial input into business cases and service developments. You will also play a central role in negotiations with commissioners and other partners, ensuring contracts are structured, managed and monitored effectively while protecting the Trust’s financial position.
This is a role for someone who is comfortable working at both strategic and operational level, able to bring together financial, activity and performance information and turn it into clear recommendations and credible plans.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the Trust’s financial planning framework, including annual, medium-term and longer-term planning
- Oversee income, contracts and commissioning processes across the organisation
- Lead on the financial aspects of business cases, service changes and strategic developments
- Manage contract negotiations with ICBs and other commissioners, covering cost, activity, quality and performance
- Ensure robust reporting, forecasting and analysis in relation to income, contracts and financial performance
- Support the Trust’s response to national policy, payment mechanism and commissioning changes
- Work closely with clinical and operational leaders to ensure directorates are well supported through planning and contract cycles
- Provide senior advice to the Board, Executive team and wider leadership group on financial and contractual matters
- Lead and develop teams across planning, income and contracting
About you
We are looking for an experienced senior finance professional with strong NHS planning and contracting expertise, backed by excellent leadership, judgement and relationship management skills.
Applicants should be CCAB or CIMA qualified and able to demonstrate substantial senior-level experience within a complex acute healthcare environment. You will bring a strong understanding of NHS commissioning, contracting and income flows, together with the ability to operate confidently in sensitive, high-profile and fast-moving situations.
You should be able to evidence
- Significant experience in strategic financial planning, income and contract management within an NHS provider setting
- Strong knowledge of the NHS commissioning landscape, national payment mechanisms and contracting processes
- Experience of representing an organisation in negotiations with commissioners and external stakeholders
- The ability to evaluate complex financial and activity information and turn it into clear, practical recommendations
- Experience of leading major projects, service change or business planning activity
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to manage, motivate and develop high-performing teams
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex and sensitive information to a wide range of audiences
- Resilience, political awareness and the confidence to handle challenge constructively
About Lewisham and Greenwich
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust serves a diverse and vibrant population across South East London, delivering a wide range of acute and community healthcare services to over one million residents. The Trust operates from University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, and a network of community sites, and is recognised for its strong clinical services and commitment to integrated care. The local area offers a unique blend of urban energy and green space, with excellent transport links into Central London, a rich cultural scene, and ongoing regeneration across Lewisham, Greenwich and surrounding boroughs. This creates an engaging and dynamic environment both professionally and personally, making it an attractive location for senior leaders looking to make a meaningful impact within a forward‑looking NHS organisation.
Why apply?
This is a standout opportunity for someone who wants to operate in a visible, strategic finance role with real influence across planning, contracting and organisational performance. You will work closely with senior leaders internally and externally, lead on issues that directly affect the Trust’s financial strength and play a key part in shaping future services.
The role offers excellent breadth, significant stakeholder exposure and the opportunity to build further profile within senior NHS finance leadership. It will particularly suit someone who enjoys combining financial insight, negotiation and strategic thinking in a role that sits close to decision-making.
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is committed to delivering high-quality care for its communities and to creating an environment where staff are supported to develop, contribute and succeed.
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