Chief Financial Officer

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 always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our 'where better never stops' motto and 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 always put the Patient First, 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

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 - 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.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

A rare opportunity has arisen at UHSussex as we are looking to appoint an outstanding Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to be part of a leadership team that will take this Trust forward into a new era. This is a pivotal role in an ambitious organisation. We have built the foundations for greater future achievement through our investment in new clinical leadership, staffing, education, research and innovation.

We are seeking a new CFO who can guide and influence our journey of improvement. We are a large and complex organisation and the successful candidate will be an outstanding leader who will live our values and help us to drive forward our vision. It will be important to lead from the front and, as part of our Board, inspire a positive, open and learning culture, building credibility and confidence with colleagues, partners, communities and regulators at all levels.

We are seeking a CFO with a track record of expert financial leadership gained at scale in the NHS and in an organisation that has experienced significant transformation, as well as a leader who will demonstrate an alignment with our values. In addition, we would particularly welcome candidates from groups currently under-represented at board level because we value the diversity of our colleagues and actively champion an inclusive culture, believing everyone should feel free to be their authentic self in the workplace.

Main duties of the job

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a member of the Trust Board, accountable to the Chief Executive for developing and delivering the Trust's financial strategy and performance. The postholder is accountable for all financial policy and practice and for providing expertise and assurance to the Board on financial management and compliance.

• As a member of the Trust Board and Executive Team, contribute to the delivery of corporate strategy and organisational objectives.
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive long term commercial strategy that creates opportunities and supports the delivery of the new organisation's objectives.
• Lead the development and delivery of major capital investment strategies.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Trust's sustainability True North proposition and its associated strategic initiatives.
• Facilitate the development of the corporate core purpose, vision, mission and values and demonstrate personal leadership in developing the culture of the organisation.
• Lead on negotiations with NHS England, ICB and Commissioners in respect of commissioning contract arrangements and performance against contract.
• Monitor, analyse and report upon the financial performance of the Trust and work to resolve identified issues and mitigate risks within a robust framework of performance management.
• Provide leadership, vision and direction to finance and commercial teams, managing the delivery of high quality services.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

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 - 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.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
How to apply

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria. Please include the names and contact details of three referees. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission from candidates.

The preferred method of application is online at:

If you are unable to apply online please email: [email protected]

Please do not apply via TRAC Jobs

Key Dates

Closing date for applications is Thursday, 30th May 2024.

Longlisted candidates will be invited to attend preliminary interviews with Odgers Berndtson prior to shortlisting.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the final interview process with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust which will include both stakeholder engagement sessions and a panel interview. The stakeholder sessions and the panel interviews are due to take place towards the end of June 2024.

Person specification

Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria

• Educated to Masters level or equivalent professional experience.
• CCAB qualified (ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW) with appropriate level of credibility and seniority.
• Evidence of continuing professional and managerial development.

Experience
Essential criteria

• Demonstrable experience operating at a senior level within the NHS and experience of working with a Board.
• Evidence of successful and sustained financial management in an environment of organisational change and improvement.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills with experience of dealing with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Evidence of successfully leading, influencing and motivating large teams with differing levels of seniority, grade and experience..
• Experience of leading a culture of continuous improvement that harnesses quality improvement with value for money and efficiency through service delivery development.
• Evidence of managing complex, organisational wide change projects.
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

Desirable criteria

• Wider experience within the NHS, particularly in the acute hospital sector.
• Experience of working with an organisation going through large scale change, e.g. following a merger.
• Experience of working in an NHS Foundation Trust.

Knowledge and Understanding
Essential criteria

• Strong commercial and business acumen with an ability to contribute to major investment programmes.
• Ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to bring about change and service improvements.
• Intellectual flexibility to make strategies and complex situations accessible to stakeholders.
• Ability to balance the need to think strategically and manage and deliver operationally.
• Thorough understanding of the financial requirements of an NHS organisation.
• Innovative style of management, motivating and setting direction whilst communicating vision and leading change through others.
• Collaborative working style with peers, sharing knowledge and understanding of current issues..

Desirable criteria

• Wider experience within the NHS, particularly within acute service settings.

Skills and Behaviours
Essential criteria

• Able to evidence leadership qualities in line with NHS best practice.
• A leadership role model who actively portrays and promotes organisational values and desired leadership behaviours..
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Ability to achieve commitment and support through the use of integrity and influence.
• Able to translate strategic direction into deliverable, measurable outcomes.
• Ability to communicate with authority both internally and externally.
• Able to constructively challenge activities which may not contribute to the delivery of the corporate strategy, whilst balancing the importance of being a corporate player.
• Possesses excellent chair and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to deliver presentations and training sessions to audiences within and outside the Trust.
• Analytical skills, ability to grasp a complex problem quickly and provide non-traditional solutions to problems.
• Demonstrably high levels of motivation.
• Ability to negotiates effectively with internal and external contacts.
• Project management training and skills.
• Ability to think analytically and synthesise information.
• Proven ability to operate at strategic level and translate into objectives and action.
• IT literate.

General information for applicants

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.

Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.

Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.

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 non medical vacancies only, please contact the Resourcing Team by Email: [email protected]

Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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

• Chief Financial Officer - Candidate Brief ( PDF , 829.1 KB )
• Our Trust at a glance ( PDF , 153.0 KB )
• All Staff Networks About Us Flyer ( PDF , 304.4 KB )

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