Overview
Head Strategic Finance – Band 8c
Employer: NHS | Site: Worthing Hospital, Worthing, West Sussex | Salary: £76,965 - £88,682 per annum, pro rata | Closing date: 22/09/2025 23:59
About our Trust: UHSussex is a large acute NHS Trust dedicated to delivering high quality patient care. We value diversity, inclusion, wellbeing, research, learning and development, and flexible working where possible. We encourage applications from all eligible groups and are committed to equal opportunities.
Job overview: The post holder is responsible for supporting delivery of strategic financial planning, including developing and maintaining the Trust’s medium- and long-term finance models, and supporting significant Trust-wide business developments, cases and transactions. The post holder reports to the Assistant Director of Finance – Strategic Finance, and will be a key member of the Finance Team. They will deputise for the Assistant Director when required, providing leadership and presenting complex financial information to clinical and non-clinical colleagues. They will challenge financial and business performance and maximise use of resources.
Main duties of the job
This role will:
* Support and influence strategic, clinical, operational and commercial decision making
* Interpret, explain and drive financial planning assumptions and reporting
* Advise on medium- to longer-term planning assumptions, external/internal context, and commercial opportunities
* Analyse, advise on, and mitigate future financial risk in the organisation
Working for our organisation
We value diversity and inclusion and support staff wellbeing. We offer buddying, staff networks, and Flexible Working where possible. The organisation is a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We provide a candidate information pack and wellbeing programme to support staff wellbeing and flexible working where possible.
As a university trust and leader in healthcare research, we support learning, teaching and training throughout your career to help you grow and develop. We look forward to your application.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Financial Strategy and Planning
1. Lead the development and delivery of the medium- to long-term financial strategy, including analysing highly complex data and recommending decisions.
2. Develop, implement and maintain a strategic finance model to support financial planning, scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis.
3. Identify and analyse risks from service changes and policy developments.
4. Develop and maintain 3- and 5-year financial plans to ensure the Trust’s financial viability, aligning activity, workforce and finances to the Trust’s strategy.
Strategic Developments, Transactions and Trust-wide Business Cases
1. Provide expert financial support to strategic developments and business cases (including Five Case Model) such as joint ventures, ICS collaborations, acquisitions, income-generating schemes, and transformation projects.
2. Provide financial, technical and organisational information to inform processes; challenge and verify financial assumptions to maximise value for money.
3. Support and influence decision-making by providing expert financial information for future significant transactions.
Governance
1. Support review and maintenance of Standing Financial Instructions and internal controls to ensure accuracy and anti-fraud measures.
2. Work with Internal Audit to ensure the control environment is effective and reported to the Audit Committee.
3. Identify and assess operational and strategic financial risks and implement adequate management arrangements.
Communication
1. Prepare high-quality papers on financial accounting and reporting, considering relevant standards, laws, policies and risk.
2. Present complex financial information to diverse audiences; deliver difficult messages where needed.
3. Attend Group, Committee and Board meetings with written and verbal responses on financial performance; build relationships across providers, commissioners and systems; represent the Trust at ICS/regional/national meetings.
Service Delivery and Improvement
1. Maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge of financial procedures and NHS policy; lead communications and updates to staff.
2. Coordinate analysis of risks from local service changes and national policy developments; escalate where needed.
3. Support development and compliance with Standing Financial Instructions; provide staff training and monitor adherence.
4. Lead process improvement for Planning and Delivery to ensure up-to-date procedures, effective reporting, efficient financial systems and governance alignment.
5. Contribute to organisational transformation to meet financial requirements and governance.
People Management and Development
1. Maintain specialist knowledge of NHS financial policy; share information with the finance team and stakeholders.
2. Ensure SFIs are followed; provide training and monitor compliance.
Patient Care Delivery
Ensure the best use of resources to support patient care.
Learning and Development
* Attend mandatory training and undertake development as agreed with line manager; participate in the Trust appraisal process; identify learning needs and plan training.
This job description is an outline of the role; duties may flex with service needs and may include project work, internal job rotation or absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed as needs evolve.
Person specification
Professional Registration
* Educated to master’s degree level or equivalent; evidence of CPD; CCAB qualified; member of a relevant professional body
Experience/Qualifications
* Experience of Five Case Model, economic modelling; balance sheet and cashflow modelling; NHS financial legislation and policies; strategic and operational planning; budgeting and performance monitoring; acute sector knowledge; NHS planning cycle knowledge; customer-focused service delivery; NHS financial reporting; data modelling and complex analysis
* Senior financial management experience; specialist finance business partnering; senior level experience in NHS financial environments; IFRS 16; Patient Level Costing and Service Line Reporting
Communication and Interpersonal
* Excellent written and oral communication; ability to present to diverse audiences; strong negotiation and influencing skills; ability to motivate staff; diplomacy and tact in presenting sensitive information; change leadership
People Management and Development
* Line manager and professional lead for Department; proven staff management and development ability
Specific Requirements
* Ability to analyse complex information and determine actions; solve complex issues; project management; multi-tasking and prioritisation; experience in managing complex change
Freedom to Act
* Autonomous working, liaising with the Management Team; adherence to best practice; responsible for own actions; interpret national/local guidance and develop local policies
Skills
* Commitment to equalities and continuous development; high accuracy in fast-paced environments
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
* Evidence of development in equalities; experience championing diversity in previous roles
Important information for applicants: We value individuality and authenticity; AI-generated content is discouraged in applications. Closing notes and visa information are provided in the original post.
Employer certification / accreditation badges: You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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