University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Head of Finance Business Partnering

The closing date is 04 September 2025

Job summary

This is a fantastic and rarely available opportunity to join a high performing finance business partnering team in one of the most beautiful and diverse parts of the UK.

As one of the UK's largest NHS Foundation Trusts, University Hospitals Sussex operates hospitals in Brighton, Chichester, Worthing and Haywards Heath. This role is integral to the delivery of the Trust's financial as well as operational objectives.

Managing a team of dedicated professionals and working with a portfolio of clinical and corporate divisions, you will have responsibility for leading all aspects of divisional financial planning and reporting, including budgeting, financial performance management and business casing.

As a visible leader and trusted adviser, you'll work closely with the Divisional operational leadership team, supporting programmes, projects and strategic decisions. You will also collaborate effectively with key stakeholders including efficiency project managers and the wider finance team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is responsible for the management and performance of the Business Partnering function provided to a small portfolio of Operational and Corporate Directorates. The role will involve providing high quality financial leadership working closely alongside the operational team to support delivery of the Trust objectives.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Finance, the post holder will be a key member of the Finance Team and support the Assistant Director in ensuring that the use of resources is both understood and maximised. In addition the post holder will deputise for the Assistant Director of Finance, as appropriate, providing leadership and demonstrating expert accounting and business knowledge, analytical support and clear presentation of complex financial and other information to clinical and non-clinical colleagues. They will constructively and positively challenge all aspects of the financial and business performance of the Trust and local ICS.

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.

About us

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.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

21 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£76,965 to £88,682 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7377948-AUG25

Job locations

Worthing Hospital, St.Richards Hospital (SRH), Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH)

Worthing, Chichester, Brighton

BN11 2DH

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will manage a team of accountants; ensuring the provision of effective partnering to a defined portfolio of Divisions/Directorates of the Trust; by ensuring that the teams are capable of and undertake to:

Support and influence strategic and operational decisions
Interpret, explain and drive financial performance
Analyse, advise on and mitigate 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 Trusts financial principles, procedures and policies
Create a culture of performance management within the Finance Division that seeks and finds solutions to financial problems and maximises financial opportunities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Support and influence strategic and operational decisions
Interpret, explain and drive financial performance
Analyse, advise on and mitigate 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 Trusts financial principles, procedures and policies
Create a culture of performance management within the Finance Division that seeks and finds solutions to financial problems and maximises financial opportunities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

CCAB qualification
Extensive senior financial management experience

Desirable

Experience of operating at a senior level in a Trust/Foundation Trust

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

CCAB qualification
Extensive senior financial management experience

Desirable

Experience of operating at a senior level in a Trust/Foundation Trust

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital, St.Richards Hospital (SRH), Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH)

Worthing, Chichester, Brighton

BN11 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing Hospital, St.Richards Hospital (SRH), Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH)

Worthing, Chichester, Brighton

BN11 2DH

Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)