Job overview
The post holder will be delivering financial support to a number of projects. The role will involve providing high quality financial assessments working closely alongside the operational/clinical team to support the delivery of revenue consequences of modelling.
Reporting directly to the Head of Strategic Finance, the post holder will be a key member of the Finance Team ensuring that the use of resources is both understood and maximised. Demonstrating sound accounting and business knowledge, performing investment appraisal, providing analytical support and clear presentation of financial information to support projects. They will constructively and positively challenge all aspects of the financial and business performance.
This role will support with enhancing relationships between finance and clinical and non-clinical teams in financial performance management, use of resources, cost improvement development, financial planning and education.
Main duties of the job
• Support the construction of Business Cases.
• Support the construction of Medium and Long Term Planning.
• Interpret and explain financial performance
• Analyse and identify financial risk in the organisation
• Promote an environment of strong financial control within the Trust and challenge non-compliance and/or behaviour that disregards the Trust’s financial principles, procedures and policies
• Support the creation of a culture of performance management within the Finance Division that seeks and finds solutions to financial problems and maximises financial opportunities.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Financial Strategy and Planning
1. Support the production of multi-layer financial medium/long term plans of Trust ensuring incorporation of the effects of all risks and opportunities across the Trust. The post holder will work with data, facts and situations requiring analysis, interpretations and comparisons on a range of options.
2. Supporting the delivery of the strategic finance function by providing future focussed project decision support, technical financial advice and business intelligence.
3. Building effective relationships, internally, to effectively challenge performance, decision-making and outcomes.
Strategic Developments, Transactions and Trust-wide Business Cases
1. Support with business case development including Five Point Case Approach. This includes financial modelling, detailed financial analysis (including demand & capacity modelling), and investment appraisal in support of improving the quality of business cases and expediting decision-making, implementation and benefits realisation. Taking responsibility for the accuracy of the financial analysis. This includes the application of recognised investment appraisal techniques to proposals to improve decision making and ensure that developments can withstand robust financial scrutiny.
2. Support negotiation of commissioning agreements with external organisations for services provided or received to ensure that income is maximised or best value for money is achieved respectively e.g. local price reviews, PLICs/Reference costs.
3. Support with benchmarking and value for money audits to ensure best practice and optimal utilisation of resources in projects.
4. Support the Trust in setting realistic and achievable waste reduction/efficiency targets and developing robust plans that ensure and maximise delivery; both on an annual basis and for the medium/long-term plans.
5. Identification and achievement of waste reductions and productivity improvements using benchmarking and other comparative data to inform this process e.g. PLICs, GIRFT, Model Hospital etc that impacts modelling.
Governance
1. Support the maintenance of the Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures to ensure these operate as designed and provide appropriate levels of assurance on accuracy, completeness and anti-fraud measures.
2. Support with ensuring that strategic financial risks are identified and properly assessed so that adequate arrangements for managing them can be implemented.
Communication
1. The post holder may be required to support with writing high quality papers/business cases on all financial accounting, reporting and related issues; with appropriate consideration of purpose, background, guidance i.e. relevant accounting standards, laws and regulations, policies etc., materiality, analysis, risk, conclusions/recommendations.
2. The post holder may be required to present highly complex and highly sensitive financial information to small audiences of varying experience, disciplines and seniority.
3. Represent the Finance Department and its interests at internal meetings/events as required, acting independently, and effectively.
Service Delivery and Improvement
1. Maintain an up to date, in depth specialist knowledge – theory and experience – of financial and accounting procedures, financial aspects of relevant legislation and financial policies (governmental and NHS).
2. Identification and analysis of the consequences and risks of short and long term changes; ensuring that any impacts are communicated/escalated and understood.
3. Maintain a good understanding of Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and ensures they are followed across the Trust, involving training and advising staff and monitoring compliance. Where breaches are discovered, ensure appropriate action is taken, in compliance with Trust policies.
4. Supports innovative and continuous process review and improvement for Strategic planning activities, to ensure that:
i. Processes and procedures are up-to-date, relevant and efficient, minimising manual transactions, and delivering standardisation;
ii. Reporting solutions are cutting edge and effective;
iii. Financial systems are appropriate, efficient and effectively used; and
iv. Governance arrangements are aligned and adequate.
5. Contributes to and influences process improvement and transformation throughout the Trust to ensure financial requirements are appropriately met and financial governance is maintained.
People Management and Development
1. Support motivating staff to meet deadlines and targets, recruitment, training, appraisal, implementation of HR policies and dealing with disciplinary/performance issues.
2. Support the personal development of any staff and ensure that every member of staff is regularly appraised, has a Personal Development Plan and is compliant with statutory and mandatory training requirements.
Patient Care Delivery
Ensures the best use of resources to support patient care
Learning and Development
· Attend mandatory training updates as required.
· Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
· Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
· Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
· Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
1. Acquisition of the skills below is considered to require experience in a relevant financial department, demonstrating experience equivalent to a Master’s degree. Part-qualified CCAB Evidence of participating in Continuing Professional Development to the required level expected of a Professional Accountancy Body.
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
2. Experience of preparing Business Cases to support changes to service delivery and advising on the revenue consequences. Experience of working on a diverse set of projects at one time and to meet imposed deadlines. Experience Medium/Long Term Financial Planning
Desirable criteria
3. Experience of supporting Business cases through governance process Experience Presenting Medium/Long Term Financial Planning to senior audience, Experience of Patient Level Costing and Service Line Reporting
Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
4. Ability to participate in setting the short and medium term objectives for the department. Ability to set priorities for a team of professionals to ensure operational objectives are met within a deadline. Excellent organisational and prioritising skills. Evidence of meeting challenging corporate and personal targets Expert with Excel Microsoft Office applications
Freedom to Act
Essential criteria
5. Ability to work autonomously, liaise and coordinate the Team on a day to day basis and to take appropriate action as necessary. Identify and adhere to best practice. Responsible for own professional actions and have sufficient autonomy for the delivery of the role. Works to achieve agreed objectives and is given freedom to do this in own way, working within broad professional policies; acts without reference to manager; acts as lead specialist in a particular financial area.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
6. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
7. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Skills
Essential criteria
8. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues Able to work with a high degree of accuracy in a time constrained environment
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
9. Supporting people to help resolve financial/project issues.
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications