Job requirements
Essential
21 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills
Exceptional strategic financial leadership skills.
- Skills
Strong understanding of NHS financial regime and regulatory requirements.
- Skills
Ability to lead complex organisational change.
- Skills
Highly developed analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Skills
Strong influencing and negotiating skills.
- Skills
Ability to communicate highly complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
- Skills
Excellent governance and risk management skills.
- Skills
Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
- Skills
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Freedom to Act
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.
- Freedom to Act
The postholder will be expected to make complex financial, operational and workforce decisions, exercising professional judgement within broad Trust policies and strategic objectives.
- Freedom to Act
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.
- Professional Registration
Full CCAB professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
- Professional Registration
Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Experience/ Qualifications
Significant senior finance leadership experience within a large and complex NHS organisation.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Extensive experience of financial accounting, statutory reporting and financial governance.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Proven experience of leading large finance teams through organisational change.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Experience of delivering financial recovery, financial sustainability and financial improvement programmes.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Experience of supporting Boards, Executive Teams and Board Committees.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Demonstrable experience of working effectively with clinical and operational leaders
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Desirable
7 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Skills
Knowledge of digital finance, automation, AI and finance transformation methodologies.
- Skills
Knowledge of treasury management and commercial finance activities
- Professional Registration
Master's degree or equivalent level qualification.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Previous experience as Deputy CFO, Director of Finance or equivalent.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Experience of group structures, subsidiaries or charitable organisations.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Experience leading finance transformation programmes.
- Experience/ Qualifications
Experience of contributing to HFMA accreditation or equivalent organisational development programmes.
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description for full details of the role.
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.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Deputy Chief Financial Officer with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in Worthing, England. It is listed as a Finance manager role. The advertised salary is Salary is dependent on experience. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (Extension to 24 months may be available). The application deadline is 29 Oct 2026.
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