Deputy Chief Financial Officer in Worthing

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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

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 abuddy 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

• Full CCAB professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience/ Qualifications

• 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
• 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

• 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
• Knowledge of digital finance, automation, AI and finance transformation methodologies.
• Knowledge of treasury management and commercial finance activities

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.
• 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.

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications

UHSussex values authenticity and encourages applicants to ensure that all application materials accurately reflect their own skills, experience, knowledge and motivations. Candidates may use AI and digital tools to support the preparation of applications, for example to assist with spelling, grammar, structure or accessibility needs. However, applicants remain responsible for the content submitted and should ensure that it genuinely represents their own abilities and experience. Where there are reasonable concerns that an application does not authentically reflect the applicant's own knowledge, skills, experience or suitability for the role, the Trust reserves the right to explore this further and, where authenticity cannot be satisfactorily demonstrated, to reject the application.

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

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Name Ella Peterson Job title Executive Assistant Email address ella.peterson@nhs.net Telephone number 01903 205111 Additional information To arrange an informal chat about the role, please reach out to Ella Peterson, Executive Assistant on ella.peterson@nhs.net

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