Senior Finance Business Partner

MFT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is seeking a Senior Finance Business Partner to provide financial leadership to the Divisions and advise on financial performance. The role reports to the Deputy Director of Finance and sits within the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group finance team, supporting clinical and operational leaders across the Trust.

The post requires extensive NHS finance experience, strong leadership, and the ability to influence strategic decisions, with

Qualifications

• CCAB or CIMA qualified with appropriate post-qualification experience.
• Substantial experience working in NHS finance and leading finance teams.
• Ability to manage complex financial information and provide strategic advice.
• Proven leadership in a finance function with CIP cost improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial leadership to Divisions and support financial performance against plan.
• Lead on strategic and operational finance and act as finance lead in the Divisional performance structure.
• Collaborate with Clinical Directors and Directorate Managers to deliver objectives.
• Lead the Divisional Finance Team and ensure delivery of financial statutory obligations.
• Deputise for the Deputy Director of Finance when required.

Skills

Leadership

Staff management

Financial acumen

Communication skills

NHS finance experience

Education

CCAB/CIMA qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

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A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Senior Finance Business Partner to join the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group finance team.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance the post holder will be key member of the hospitals Senior Financial Leadership Team, based at the Oxford Road campus supporting the Divisional teams, our Finance Team and Hospital operational teams at this challenging but exciting time.

Personal and team development are key values we support, and the department is keen to grow and develop to help better meet the challenges for the Specialist Hospitals Clinical Group, MFT and the wider NHS.

Main duties of the job

To provide financial leadership to the Divisions sharing the objective with the Clinical Directors and Divisional Directors of Operations for the overall financial management and financial performance of the Divisions, ensuring the production of relevant, accurate and timely financial advice and supporting information in order that the Divisions will achieve their agreed financial plan.

To lead on all strategic and operational finance whilst delivering high-level financial expertise to influence the Divisions. To be the finance lead in the Divisional performance management structure. To work closely with the Clinical Directors and Directorate Managers to ensure delivery of Directorate objectives.

To work as part of the Divisional teams to ensure that Trust objectives are met, ensuring their Financial Statutory obligations are met. The post holder will be responsible for increasing the level of business expertise within the Divisions and will be required to support the Clinical Directors in all financial matters.

To be a key member of the Specialist Clinical Group Finance Department and contribute to the delivery of its overall objectives. To lead the Divisional Finance Team of 4 staff. As well as financial objectives, the post holder will also work as part of a team whose objectives will be to meet operational targets whilst enhancing the quality of care to patients.

To deputise for the Deputy Director of Finance where appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe - what better place to shape and develop your leadership career.
We deliver care to over 1 million patients & users each year through our 10 hospitals and extensive community services. Our 30,000 plus strong workforce is central to our success and innovation.
You will play a pivotal part in supporting our operational excellence and strategic ambitions. You’ll work collaboratively with clinical and non-clinical teams, driving improvements that enhance patient experience, staff wellbeing, and service efficiency across the Trust.
MFT offers a dynamic, inclusive environment where your leadership, ideas, and expertise are valued. You’ll have access to professional development, digital tools and opportunities to contribute to transformational projects that shape the future of healthcare delivery.
We are committed to supporting your growth and wellbeing, recognising the vital role you play in our organisation’s success.
Join us and help shape the future of our Trust—make a real difference to our teams, our services, and our communities, and fundamentally, our patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications

• CCAB or CIMA qualified with appropriate post qualification experience

Knowledge

• Substantial experience of working in NHS finance (or equivalent complex organisation), including knowledge, experience and expertise in a finance management role.
• Thorough understanding of current NHS accounting principles and procedures.

Experience

• Strong staff management and leadership skills are essential, as the post holder will be responsible for supporting senior managers within the Directorate, as well as leading a designated financial management team.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team. Team player working with diverse range of disciplines and cultures.
• Management Accounting: Prepares and provides financial information to enable the organisation to operate effectively and to make valid strategic decisions. Key in the modernisation of practices to meet the needs of the organisation. Responsible for co-coordinating the production of management accounts to ensure they are completed in timely fashion.
• Financial Performance Management: Manages Directorate financial performance and supports and contributes to the Trust financial performance.
• Significant experience of leading on the identification, monitoring and reporting of complex cost improvement programmes and financial assessments of the cost effectiveness of service. This includes experience of being the financial lead for complex cross cutting CIP schemes.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and sound understanding of software packages.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with a variety of audiences in a number of different situations.
• Ability to influence and negotiate in complex and contentious situations.
• Ability to plan and deliver complex projects; excellent time management skills; the ability to plan tasks of a department.
• Process complex information and the ability to solve difficult problems.
• Makes decisions and or advises others on decisions which may have a long term effect.
• Thinking Strategically: Leads development of financial strategy in own Directorate. Contributes to formation of organisation strategy.
• Identifies ways to deliver an excellent service to patients and the organisation. Understands the NHS and identifies opportunities to improve services provided.
• Clear commitment to developing self and others within both the directorates and finance teams.

Work Related Circumstances

• Understands own responsibilities to safety at work.
• Knowledge of organisational and employment policies.
• Must be willing to work flexibly.
• Clearance of DBS and Occupational Health checks.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.