Finance Business Partner

Finance Business Partner The closing date is 14 October 2025

The post holder will be delivering financial support to the Business Partnering function provided to a small number of Operational and Corporate Directorates. The role will involve providing high quality financial management working closely alongside the operational team to support delivery of the Trust objectives. This role will support with enhancing relationships between finance and clinical and non-clinical teams in financial performance management, use of resources, cost improvement development, financial planning and education.

Overview At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. We have a range of staff networks and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We value learning, teaching and training to grow and develop throughout your career.

About us At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We emphasise wellbeing, flexible working where possible, and ongoing development as part of being a university trust and leader in healthcare research.

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

Job responsibilities Partnering

• Supporting the delivery of the business partnering function providing future focused decision support, technical financial advice, business intelligence and reports to management to enable them to effectively manage resources for their area of responsibility.
• Building effective internal relationships to challenge performance, decision-making and outcomes.
• Promote the use of financial and operational management information to review, assess and forecast unit performance. Support the production of multi-layer forecasts of Trust financial performance at all points in time, including risks, opportunities and actions across the Trust.
• Identify and highlight any evidence or risk of divergence from financial plans, targets or forecasts and work with management to develop mitigations to return performance to plan/forecast.
• Support the monthly review of the Trust's financial performance at all levels within deadlines and make recommendations to ensure financial performance meets targets and is understood by stakeholders.
• Support the Deputy Director of Finance and Assistant Director of Finance to hold divisions and corporate directorate budget holders to account through formal periodic reviews of all financial performance.
• Month end processes support
• Support with business case development, financial modelling, detailed financial analysis (including demand & capacity modelling), and investment appraisal to improve the quality of business cases and expediting decision-making, implementation and benefits realisation. This includes evaluating alternative service delivery models for performance targets and long-term financial stability.
• Support the production of business cases, ensuring accuracy of financial analysis using recognised investment appraisal techniques.
• Support the development and monitoring of non-financial performance indicators (e.g. length of stay, theatre utilisation) to identify areas where use of resources can be improved. Work with operational managers and clinicians to improve productivity and demonstrate impact on financial performance.
• Support negotiation of commissioning agreements with external organisations to maximise income or achieve best value for money (e.g. local price reviews, PLICs/Reference costs).
• Support benchmarking and value for money audits to ensure best practice and optimal utilisation of resources.
• Support the Trust in setting realistic and achievable waste reduction/efficiency targets and developing robust plans for delivery.
• Provide expert advice on identifying and achieving waste reductions and productivity improvements using benchmarking and other data (e.g. PLICs, GIRFT, Model Hospital).

Governance

• Support the maintenance of the Standing Financial Instructions and internal financial control procedures to ensure they operate as designed and provide assurance on accuracy and anti-fraud measures.
• Support reviews with Internal Audit to ensure the financial control environment is effective and information is shared with the Audit Committee for assurance purposes.
• Support ensuring operational and strategic financial risks are identified and assessed so that adequate management arrangements are in place.

Communication & Engagement

• Write high quality papers on financial accounting, reporting and related issues with appropriate purpose, background, guidance, materiality, risk and recommendations.
• Present complex and sensitive financial information to small audiences; represent the Finance Department at internal meetings/events as required.

Service Delivery and Improvement

• Maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge of financial procedures, relevant legislation and NHS policies.
• Identify consequences and risks of local service changes and communicate/escalate as needed.
• Ensure Standing Financial Instructions are followed across the Trust, including training and advising staff and monitoring compliance. Address breaches in line with Trust policies.
• Support innovative process review for Planning and Delivery to ensure processes are current, efficient and standardised; ensure reporting solutions are effective; ensure financial systems are fit for purpose; ensure governance is aligned.
• Contribute to process improvement and transformation to meet financial requirements and governance.

People Management and Development

• Responsible for design of supporting structures and management, including motivating staff, recruitment, training, appraisal, HR policy implementation and addressing disciplinary issues.
• Ensure staff development, regular appraisal, Personal Development Plans and mandatory training compliance.
• Maintain up-to-date specialist knowledge of NHS finance and ensure information is shared with the team and stakeholders.
• Ensure SFIs are followed, with training and monitoring; address breaches per Trust policies.

Learning and Development

• Commitment to ongoing skill and knowledge development through training and learning opportunities.
• Maintain own professional development and stay informed of new developments in the role.
• Meet agreed standards of development within timescales; participate in appraisal and development processes.
• Attend mandatory and statutory training as required.

Applicants who have applied in the last 3 months need not apply

Person Specification Experience/ Qualifications

• Acquisition of the skills below is considered to require at least two years post-qualification experience in a financial management role, demonstrating experience equivalent to a Master's degree. Part-qualified CCAB; evidence of Continuing Professional Development as required by a Professional Accountancy Body.

Knowledge and Experience

• Explain complex and sensitive financial issues clearly in writing and speech. NHS Financial regime & National Tariff; Standing Financial Instructions.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Experience communicating complex financial information to non-finance managers; ability to present to senior audiences; ability to chair Finance meetings; coach budget holders and run seminars; professional communication; leadership and influencing skills; capable of engaging clinicians.
• Experience of building close working relationships with senior clinicians.

Analytical and Judgemental

• Ability to challenge and negotiate with senior managers; manage tensions between local and corporate priorities; strong numeric and analytical skills; produce concise financial and information reports; strong problem-solving; ability to analyse complex facts and develop options.

Planning and Organisational

• Participate in setting department objectives; prioritise a team of finance professionals; manage multiple projects with deadlines; strong organisational and prioritisation skills; plan over short, medium and long term; adjust plans as needed.
• Two years of experience in a financial role; experience in preparing Business Cases and advising on revenue and cash impacts; evidence of meeting targets.
• Understanding of current NHS developments.

Information and Communication Technology

• Proficient with Microsoft Office; ability to use multiple IT systems for data extraction (e.g. PAS, RIS, SUS).

People Management and Development

• Experience managing a team of finance professionals, including recruitment and appraisal.

Personal Attributes

• Professional presentation; able to travel between sites; physically capable of duties.

Freedom to Act

• Ability to work autonomously; coordinate day-to-day; identify best practice; responsible for own actions; acts as lead specialist in a financial area.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Evidence of championing diversity; commitment to developing understanding of equalities issues.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure submission to the DBS for any previous convictions.
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