Band 8d Associate Director of Finance - Bath

Job summary

Are you an experienced finance leader looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to make a difference in their next role? If so, then Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership has a rare opportunity to join its senior finance team as Associate Director of Finance: Financial Accounting.

You will operate at a senior level within the Trust, leading on Financial Accounting and all technical financial matters, as well as overseeing the financial aspects of the Trust capital programme. This role is also key to ensuring that appropriate financial controls and governance are in place and that all external financial reporting is completed to the highest possible standards. Responsibility for, and maximising the benefit from the Trust finance system also sits with this role, leaving a varied portfolio for you to lead on with support from your team.

You will work closely with the Chief and Deputy Chief Financial Officer as well as other key leads across the finance team, as well as with Planning and Service Development leads, Estates Project Leads and senior clinicians across the wider organisation. You will be adept at communicating complex financial issues in a clear and understandable way to a range of different stakeholders as well as being able to adapt to often rapidly changing priorities and demands.

This is an exciting time to join the Trust as it embarks on a significant transformation programme that will help to reshape mental health services across the Trust footprint.

Main duties of the job

This role is a key leadership position within the Finance Directorate and we are seeking an exceptional candidate to join our friendly and inclusive team to take forward the financial agenda. This post holds responsibility for:

Leading on all elements of the Trust's statutory financial reporting processes and mechanisms, including reporting through to NHS England.

Leading on preparation of the Annual Accounts, including managing year end closedown and external audit of the accounts.

Producing financial plans and forecasts to manage the balance Sheet, capital investment and working capital positions.

Leading the financial element of the Trust Capital Programme.

Acting as Trust expert on technical accounting and regulatory matters, keeping the organisation updated on any changes in financial legislation, accounting standards and NHS finance regulations.

Acting as finance lead to the Trust PFI programme, supporting the Chief Financial Officer in managing often complex relationships with the PFI provider.

Leading on financial governance, audit and counter fraud issues including the maintenance and monitoring of SFIs and other financial policies.

To succeed in this role, you will:

Be a CCAB qualified accountant with significant post qualification experience.

Bring strong expertise in technical financial reporting and governance.

Have the ability to communicate complex financial issues clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.

Bring strong leadership and team-management experience.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

26 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£91,342 to £105,337 a year (pending pay award)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

342-CS007-0226

Job locations

Bath NHS House

Newbridge Hill

Bath

BA1 3QE