Deputy Chief Financial Officer

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Worthing; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff networks

Buddy to help new members settle in

Job summary

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a 12-month fixed-term Deputy Chief Financial Officer to lead financial reporting, treasury, and governance across the organisation. The postholder acts for the CFO as required and guides the Corporate Finance Directorate through change.

You will provide strategic financial leadership to the Chief Executive, CFO, Executive Team and Trust Board, ensuring delivery of the financial plan and regulatory compliance within NHS frameworks.

Qualifications

• CCAB qualification required.
• Significant NHS finance leadership experience.
• Experience delivering financial recovery & cost improvement programmes.
• Experience supporting Boards & Committees.
• Ability to engage clinical and operational leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial reporting, statutory accounts and regulatory returns.
• Oversee treasury management, cash flow and working capital.
• Provide strategic financial leadership to the CFO and Board.
• Lead the Corporate Finance Directorate and delivery of the financial plan.
• Represent the Trust in local, regional and national forums.
• Lead finance teams through organisational change and workforce development.
• Ensure financial planning, performance management and governance support delivery of strategic objectives.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Governance & risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Financial reporting & statutory

Change management

Education

Full CCAB professional accountancy qualification

Job description

This 12-month fixed-term post is the principal deputy to the Chief Financial Officer at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, within the Finance Directorate. The postholder leads financial reporting, statutory accounts, financial controls and recovery and cost improvement programmes, and advises the Board. The role acts for the CFO as required and leads the Corporate Finance team through change. A full CCAB accountancy qualification is essential.

What the job involves

• Lead the Trust's Financial Recovery Programme, Cost Improvement Programme, productivity agenda and finance transformation programme
• Lead the production of accurate and timely financial reporting, statutory accounts and regulatory returns
• Oversee treasury management, cash flow and working capital
• Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with NHS and statutory requirements
• Provide strategic financial leadership and advice to the Chief Executive, CFO, Executive Team and Trust Board
• Lead the Corporate Finance Directorate, including delivery of the financial plan and governance
• Provide financial analysis, risk assessment and strategic recommendations to support decision-making
• Communicate complex financial information to clinical, operational, NHS England, NHS Sussex and system partners
• Lead integrated finance services, new operating models, digital innovation, automation and process simplification
• Lead senior finance managers and professional teams, including workforce development, succession planning and organisational change
• Ensure financial planning, performance management and governance support delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives
• Act on behalf of the CFO as required and represent the Trust at local, regional and national forums

What’s required

Qualifications

• Full CCAB professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)

Experience

• Significant senior finance leadership experience in a large, complex NHS organisation
• Extensive experience of financial accounting, statutory reporting and financial governance
• Proven experience leading large finance teams through organisational change
• Experience delivering financial recovery, sustainability and improvement programmes
• Experience supporting Boards, Executive Teams and Board Committees
• Demonstrable experience working effectively with clinical and operational leaders

Skills & knowledge

• Exceptional strategic financial leadership
• Strong understanding of the NHS financial regime and regulatory requirements
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving capability
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Ability to communicate highly complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences
• Excellent governance and risk management skills

Other

• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles
• Evidence of own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Nice to have

• Master's degree or equivalent level qualification
• Previous experience as Deputy CFO, Director of Finance or equivalent
• Experience of group structures, subsidiaries or charitable organisations
• Experience leading finance transformation programmes
• Experience contributing to HFMA accreditation or equivalent organisational development programmes
• Knowledge of digital finance, automation, AI and finance transformation methodologies
• Knowledge of treasury management and commercial finance activities

What’s offered

• Staff networks
• Buddy to help new members settle in