Job summary
- Main area
- Finance
- Grade
- Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM
- Contract
- Fixed term: 12 months (Extension to 24 months may be available)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-8272407-SEP26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Worthing
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- Salary is dependent on experience
- Closing
- 29/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 20/11/2026
Employer heading
Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Executives / VSM: Executives / VSM
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. 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.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and 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 and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Interview Date: 20th November 2026
The Deputy Chief Financial Officer is a senior leadership role within the Finance Directorate and serves as the principal deputy to the Chief Financial Officer.
Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Trust's finance function and lead the delivery of high-quality financial management, financial governance, financial planning and financial performance.
The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will play a pivotal role in supporting the Trust Board and Executive Team to deliver financial sustainability, operational excellence and long-term organisational success. The postholder will provide leadership across strategic finance, operational finance and corporate finance functions and will be responsible for ensuring that financial planning, performance management, financial control and governance arrangements support the delivery of the Trust's strategic objectives.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will lead major financial improvement initiatives, including the Trust's Financial Recovery Programme, Cost Improvement Programme, productivity agenda and finance transformation programme. They will act on behalf of the Chief Financial Officer as required and represent the Trust at local, regional and national forums.
The Deputy Chief Financial Officer will provide visible professional leadership across the Finance Directorate, creating a high-performing culture and ensuring that the finance function is recognised as a trusted strategic partner supporting excellent patient care and organisational sustainability.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Corporate Finance) will provide strategic financial leadership and expert advice to the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Team and Trust Board. The postholder will lead the Corporate Finance Directorate, ensuring the effective delivery of the Trust's financial strategy, financial plan and governance responsibilities.
Key responsibilities include leading the production of accurate and timely financial reporting, statutory accounts and regulatory returns; overseeing treasury management, cash flow and working capital; and ensuring strong financial controls and compliance with NHS and statutory requirements. The role will support organisational decision-making through the provision of high-quality financial analysis, risk assessment and strategic recommendations.
The postholder will work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including clinical and operational leaders, NHS England, NHS Sussex and system partners, communicating complex financial information and supporting the delivery of financial sustainability and performance objectives.
A major focus of the role will be driving continuous improvement and transformation across Corporate Finance, leading the development of integrated finance services, supporting new operating models and identifying opportunities for digital innovation, automation and process simplification.
The Deputy CFO will provide leadership to senior finance managers and professional teams, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, high performance and continuous improvement. They will play a key role in workforce development, succession planning, talent management and organisational change, ensuring the finance function is equipped to meet future challenges.
Although not directly involved in patient care, the role makes a significant contribution to patient outcomes by ensuring effective stewardship of public resources, supporting sustainable financial decision-making, enabling investment in frontline services and strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of the Trust.
Please see the attached job description for full details of the role.
Person specification
Professional Registration
Essential criteria
- Full CCAB professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable criteria
- Master's degree or equivalent level qualification.
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Significant senior finance leadership experience within a large and complex NHS organisation.
- Extensive experience of financial accounting, statutory reporting and financial governance.
- Proven experience of leading large finance teams through organisational change.
- Experience of delivering financial recovery, financial sustainability and financial improvement programmes.
- Experience of supporting Boards, Executive Teams and Board Committees.
- Demonstrable experience of working effectively with clinical and operational leaders
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience as Deputy CFO, Director of Finance or equivalent.
- Experience of group structures, subsidiaries or charitable organisations.
- Experience leading finance transformation programmes.
- Experience of contributing to HFMA accreditation or equivalent organisational development programmes.
Skills
Essential criteria
- Exceptional strategic financial leadership skills.
- Strong understanding of NHS financial regime and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to lead complex organisational change.
- Highly developed analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
- Ability to communicate highly complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
- Excellent governance and risk management skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of digital finance, automation, AI and finance transformation methodologies.
- Knowledge of treasury management and commercial finance activities
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Freedom to Act
Essential criteria
- The postholder will operate with a high degree of autonomy, acting on behalf of the Chief Financial Officer across a broad range of corporate finance matters.
- The postholder will be expected to make complex financial, operational and workforce decisions, exercising professional judgement within broad Trust policies and strategic objectives.
- The role will significantly influence organisational decision-making and require independent leadership of major programmes of work, whilst remaining accountable to the Chief Financial Officer for overall delivery and performance.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Ella Peterson
- Job title
- Executive Assistant
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01903 205111
- Additional information
To arrange an informal chat about the role, please reach out to Ella Peterson, Executive Assistant on [email protected]
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