Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Finance Business Partner (Band 8b) to join our Finance and Efficiency & Productivity function at a pivotal time for the Trust.
This role will provide senior financial leadership and business partnering to clinical and corporate divisions, supporting the delivery of a large-scale efficiency and productivity programme and underpinning financial sustainability. The post-holder will work closely with Divisional Triumvirates, operational leaders, and corporate teams to translate complex financial information into actionable insight, driving performance, productivity, and value.
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Main duties of the job
The Senior Finance Business Partner will act as a strategic advisor to Divisions and corporate functions, providing high-quality financial analysis, challenge, and support to enable effective decision-making.
Key responsibilities include:
1. Leading financial planning, forecasting, and budget setting processes for designated areas, ensuring alignment with Trust-wide financial strategy
2. Providing robust financial challenge and insight to support delivery of efficiency and productivity schemes, including workforce, clinical productivity, and service transformation initiatives
3. Supporting the development, costing, and evaluation of business cases, ensuring financial sustainability and value for money
4. Working in partnership with operational, clinical, and workforce colleagues to identify opportunities for cost improvement, income generation, and productivity gains
5. Ensuring accurate financial reporting, variance analysis, and clear articulation of financial risks and mitigations
6. Driving improvements in financial understanding and accountability across services
7. Contributing to Trust-wide programmes, including efficiency governance, benefits realisation, and performance management frameworks
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and 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, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The post-holder will provide senior financial leadership and business partnering support to designated Divisions and corporate areas, acting as a key interface between Finance and operational teams.
They will lead on financial planning, reporting, and performance management, ensuring that financial positions are well understood and that risks and opportunities are clearly identified and managed. A core focus of the role is supporting the delivery of efficiency and productivity improvements, ensuring that schemes are financially robust, measurable, and aligned to Trust priorities.
The role includes responsibility for developing financial models, supporting business cases, and ensuring that benefits realisation processes are embedded and tracked. The post-holder will work closely with operational, workforce, and efficiency colleagues to support transformation initiatives, including workforce redesign, productivity improvement, and service change.
In addition, the role will contribute to strengthening financial governance, improving financial literacy across the organisation, and ensuring compliance with Trust and NHS financial standards.
For full details of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person specification
Criteria for interview
Essential criteria
8. Knowledge of health service management, including change management
9. Practical experience of implementing medium to large scale improvement projects, including definition, design, delivery and evaluation
10. Project management expertise including cost, quality and risk management
11. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of how to use data appropriately and correctly.
12. Advanced IT skills in particular PowerPoint and Excel
13. Experience of direct line management leadership and managing cross-functional project teams
Desirable criteria
14. Accredited project management qualification, such as Prince II or equivalent
15. Previous experience in either operational or clinical acute hospital settings
16. Evidence of delivering service re-design and new models of care
17. Use of data in projects that has enabled change
Criteria in interview
Essential criteria
18. Knowledge of health service management, including change management
19. Practical experience of implementing medium to large scale improvement projects, including definition, design, delivery and evaluation
20. Project management expertise including cost, quality and risk management
21. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of how to use data appropriately and correctly.
22. Experience of direct line management leadership and managing cross-functional project teams
23. Able to manage own work objectives
Desirable criteria
24. Experience of MS Project or equivalent project management software
25. To be able to review evidence to generate options and take autonomous decisions to facilitate resolution in relation to project scoping and delivery
26. Knowledge of, or training in, lean improvement methodologies
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
27. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
28. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
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