Commercial Finance Manager

We are now seeking an experienced Commercial Finance Manager to join our team.

Vanguard Healthcare Solutions (and its overseas trading brand Q-bital Healthcare Solutions) ('Vanguard') is the market leading provider of flexible clinical infrastructure (FCI) in the UK.

The company owns a fleet of sophisticated mobile and modular units which provide a range of specialised solutions including laminar flow operating theatres, endoscopy suites, and decontamination and sterilisation units. Vanguard's units are mainly leased to the NHS in the UK, and to hospital groups in Australia, which are seeking to manage their capacity in a flexible way during periods of increased demand or planned downtime for refurbishment. Whilst the historic background of the business is leasing, recent solutions have been more complex, and opportunities increasingly include a construction element.

The business has operating entities in the UK and Australia and has been backed by iCON Infrastructure since 2021, a mid market infra fund.

Our values define how we do business with our customers, and engage internally and externally: Patient-focused; Innovative; Responsive; Passionate; Teamwork.

Whilst the core NHS business has traditionally driven 90% of our revenues, there is real focus to diversify our income streams via growth in Australia, increasing work with the Independent Healthcare Providers in the UK and entry into the Pharma Life Sciences (PLS) sector. This role is a pivotal addition to support these initiatives and to align with our various target operating models.

The role:

The role of Commercial Finance Manager (CFM) is a group role and reports directly to the CFO.

The CFM role plays a critical role in enabling the financial and strategic success of Vanguard. This individual will partner closely with the commercial / revenue growth, operations, and executive leadership to drive profitable growth through financial analysis, pricing, and commercial insight. They will support commercial bids, evaluate contract / project performance, and provide strategic input into key business decisions and provide end-to-end commercial finance oversight across construction contracts and capital investment activities that underpin our modular and mobile infrastructure strategy. This is a cross-functional role requiring strong business acumen, financial expertise, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities:

Commercial Strategy & Business Partnering

• Support strategic pricing decisions and develop financial models for new contracts, tenders, and service line expansions in conjunction with the Managing Directors of the Mobile and Modular divisions, with a particular need to take responsibility for modular rental pricing.
• Act as the finance lead for key commercial initiatives including bid support, scenario modelling, and deal structuring.
• Work in partnership with sales/commercial, operations (mobile and modular), and clinical teams to ensure contract viability and margin protection.
• Lead post-deal financial evaluations, ensuring learnings are captured and fed into future commercial decisions.
• Work alongside the Revenue Growth team to ensure customer metrics such as the customer segmentation dashboard (as required) is up to date and relevant and assist the commercial team as required from a financial and data expertise perspective.

Contract Performance
& Reporting

• Track and report on financial performance across contracts including revenue, margin, and operational KPIs to include:

a) Continual update and management of pipeline and input into monthly pipeline and trading

updates.

b) Production of monthly Pipeline Reports for Exec and Full Board Meetings.

• Produce and present quarterly sales contract KPIs to sales team / Exec /Board.
• Design and maintain reporting dashboards in collaboration with the Mobile and Modular Managing Directors and/or Commercial/Revenue Growth team.
• Ensure commercial deals are reflected accurately in financial systems and forecasts.
• Support root-cause analysis and financial insights to inform operational and commercial decision-making.
• Evolve development of reporting through the CRM to drive efficiencies and improve real time reporting.

Forecasting & Planning

• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes with a focus on commercial income streams.
• Provide scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support commercial decision-making.
• Support the CFO in providing timely and accurate forecasts of commercial performance.

Governance & Commercial Compliance

• Ensure pricing and commercial decisions comply with NHS frameworks, procurement regulations, and internal governance.
• Support the development and maintenance of the Delegation of Authority (DoA) as it relates to commercial finance.
• Work with Legal and Compliance to manage commercial risks, contracts, and third-party relationships.
• Ensure processed and systems are in place to ensure accurate invoicing in a timely manner and liaise with the core finance team to provide segregated duty sign off on monthly sales invoicing.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support

• Work closely with the CFO, MDs and Commercial / Revenue Growth teams to align financial strategy with commercial execution, and ensuring alignment with the core finance team to drive accuracy of reporting.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership by providing insight into deal profitability, pricing optimisation, and commercial strategy.
• Drive continuous improvement in commercial finance processes, systems, and reporting.
• Present a monthly update at the functional team meeting.

Other:

• Gain and update job knowledge to remain informed about traits within the business.
• Develop a sound knowledge of company I.T. processes and procedures, and provide support in shaping the digital strategy for all areas under the remit of this role.
• Take responsibility for own personal development and ensure training is up to date.
• Various ad-hoc projects as required.

Requirements:

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience in a commercial finance role within healthcare, construction, or a contract-led environment.
• Strong understanding of pricing, bid finance, and contract evaluation.
• Experience partnering with sales/commercial and operations.
• Experience of managing a small team.
• Track record of delivering insight-driven financial analysis and influencing strategic decisions.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent analytical and financial modelling skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Proficient in Excel and financial reporting tools. Power BI or similar advantageous.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery.
• An enquiring/inquisitive nature, and ability to identify issues and recommended solutions
• Pro-active, self-motivated and experienced in managing multiple priorities

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (CIMA / ACA / ACCA) or equivalent experience.
• Commercial or business-related postgraduate qualification desirable.

Other

• Flexibility to travel to visit company sites in Gloucester (Base), Manningtree and Hull.
• Hold a full valid driving licence.

It is the nature of work at Vanguard that tasks and responsibilities are, in many circumstances, unpredictable and varied. All employees are, therefore, expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises where tasks are not specifically covered in the Job Description and have to be undertaken.

What we offer:

• 25 days per year (Jan – Dec) + UK bank holidays
• Life assurance
• Company pension
• Healthcare cash plan
• Professional memberships reimbursed
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Extensive training and development opportunities
• The chance to work across a wide range of clinical environments
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting hospitals to deliver vital patient care