Financial Analyst - Insights and Efficiency

Job summary

This is a developmental Analytical Finance role designed to build advanced capability in financial insight, value analysis, and efficiency improvement across the Lancashire and South Cumbria system.

The postholder will support the delivery of high-quality analytical outputs combining costing, activity, income and operational data to inform decision-making, improve services and reduce unwarranted variation.

Working within the Analytical Finance function, the role provides a structured progression pathway from Band 5 to Band 6 through the development of technical, analytical, and professional finance competencies.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will:

  • Produce and interpret complex financial and operational data
  • Develop dashboards, models and insight tools
  • Work closely with clinical, operational and finance colleagues on data improvement
  • Support value improvement and efficiency programmesContribute to the development of analytical finance capability across the system

About us

One LSC (One Lancashire and South Cumbria) is a shared NHS partnership that brings together the corporate and support services of five NHS hospital trusts in the region to reduce duplication, save money, and improve healthcare.

Hosted by East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, One LSC brings together five NHS trusts in a collaborative partnership:

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustEast Lancashire Hospitals NHS TrustLancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation TrustLancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUniversity Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

What They Do

One LSC combines non-clinical and administrative functions, such as Digital, Estates, Finance, HR, and Procurement, under a single leadership to avoid duplicating work.

Their Goals

The partnership aims to create a "one team" approach within the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System to maximize resources, deliver value for money, and improve patient care, while enhancing the working environment for staff.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key duties and responsibilities;

Analytical Finance & Insight

Produce high-quality analytical reports combining financial, activity, costing and benchmarking data.

Translate complex datasets into clear, actionable insight for finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Support development of service line reporting, benchmarking and value analysis.

Identify trends, risks, opportunities and unwarranted variation.

Develop and enhance dashboards and reporting tools (e.g. Power BI, SQL).

Ensure outputs are accurate, validated and aligned to system definitions.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of analytical methodologies and automation of reporting processes.

Efficiency & Value Improvement

Support identification, quantification and tracking of efficiency schemes.

Provide analytical input into business cases and improvement initiatives.

Use benchmarking and peer data to highlight opportunities.

Work with services to validate assumptions underpinning plans.

Data, Systems & Modelling

Support development of financial models and reporting structures.

Work with BI colleagues, clinical and operational teams to improve data flows and integrity.

Contribute to costing, income and performance datasets.

Support data quality improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

Work with finance, clinical and operational teams across the system.

Present insights in a clear and accessible way.

Support training and development of both finance and non-finance colleagues.

Contribute to workshops, value sessions and improvement programmes.

Development & Leadership (Progressive)

Manage own workload and prioritise effectively.

Contribute to continuous improvement and innovation.

Deputise for senior colleagues where appropriate.

Remain up to date with NHS finance policy, costing standards and analytical tools.

The main duties and responsibilities described above are not exhaustive and the post holder expected to take on other responsibilities or specific tasks as required as requested.

Further, over time it is likely the remit and requirements of the role will evolve, and the post holder will be required to adjust their working approach and style to accommodate this with the full support of line managers.

Key working relationships

The post holder will have regular contact with a wide range of staff at all levels, with senior and other representatives of local stakeholders, as well as with patients and their representatives. Some of the key direct relationships include:

Finance colleagues

Clinical and Operational Teams

Teams across Lancashire and South Cumbria, NHS, local authorities, other voluntary and independent sector organisations

Colleagues within national organisations

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential
  • GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent
  • Level 4 AAT qualified (or equivalent)
  • Enrolled in CCAB Qualification (Essential for band 6)
  • Completion of first stage/tier (Essential for band 6)
Desirable
  • Experience of SQL / Power BI / Qlik Certifications

Skills, ability and knowledge

Essential
  • Advanced Excel and data manipulation skills
  • Ability to translate complex financial information into clear insight
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  • Ability to manage competing priorities independently
  • Receptive to change and innovation.
Desirable
  • Knowledge of NHS costing information, techniques and processes.

Experience

Essential
  • Strong analytical capability and ability to interpret complex datasets
  • Experience using Excel and financial systems
  • Experience working to deadlines
Desirable
  • NHS finance or costing experience

Personal Qualities

Essential
  • Self-motivated with strong commitment to development
  • Autonomous, innovative and improvement-focused
  • Collaborative and supportive team member
  • High level of integrity, accuracy and professionalism
  • Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries, building positive and professional working relationships.

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Haslingden Road

Blackburn

BB2 3HH

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://jobs.elht.nhs.uk/



Job Details

Company
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Location
Blackburn, BB2 3HH, United Kingdom
Salary
Negotiable
Posted