About this role
Job summary
The Deputy Finance Business Partner will assist accountable persons in delivering a defined portfolio, working closely with managers, budget holders and stakeholders across Dorset and Somerset to provide specialist financial advice, training and support that enables services and programmes to be delivered efficiently, effectively and economically.
The post holder will provide direct financial support to the Healthset Programme and assigned directorates, supporting the implementation of the shared Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR) system across University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), Somerset Foundation Trust (SFT), Dorset County Hospital (DCH) and Dorset HealthCare (DHC) under the Inter Trust Agreement (ITA). This will include ensuring compliance with financial best practice and supporting complex multi-organisational financial and governance arrangements.
Interview: 27 August
Main duties of the job
Key responsibilities include budget setting and reporting, forecasting expenditure, activity and income, collating and analysing costs across multiple Trusts and stakeholders, supporting the UHD Capital Finance Lead, monitoring delivery of improvement programme savings and responding to information requests from internal and external stakeholders. The post holder will play a key role in the management, reconciliation and reporting of inter-Trust recharge arrangements, ensuring costs are accurately allocated in accordance with the ITA, funding agreements and agreed allocation methodologies, whilst providing financial assurance over recharge balances, contractual commitments and partner contributions.
The post holder will provide financial oversight of the Inter Trust Agreement (ITA) for all trusts, ensuring that programme costs are accurately captured, allocated, reconciled and recharged across participating organisations in accordance with agreed cost-sharing methodologies and governance arrangements.
The post holder will provide complex financial analysis and advice to support decision-making, effective governance and successful delivery of the Healthset Programme and its associated benefits.
About us
UHD are investing, developing and transforming Trust services in line with the New Hospital Programme. As part of this, some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or permanently. Recruiting Managers will be happy to answer any service-specific questions at interview.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
UHD has active networks including Women's, BAME, Pride, EU, Pro Ability, and Armed Forces. We support Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant interview schemes.
AI tools may be used, but applications must honestly reflect your own skills and experience. Integrity is key to our recruitment process.
For UHD employees, this fixed-term post will be offered as a secondment in line with the Trust's Secondment Policy. Please speak with your line manager before applying.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Deputy Finance Business Partner will support the financial management of the Healthset programme and Inter Trust Agreement (ITA), acting as a key link between the Finance Directorate, programme teams and stakeholders across University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), Somerset Foundation Trust (SFT), Dorset County Hospital (DCH) and Dorset HealthCare (DHC).
The post holder will provide specialist financial advice and analysis to support the implementation and operation of a shared Epic Electronic Health Record (EHR), ensuring compliance with NHS accounting standards, financial governance requirements, contractual obligations and Trust policies. They will coordinate financial reporting, forecasting and variance analysis, providing timely and accurate information to support programme delivery and decision-making.
The role will support budget setting, financial planning and monitoring of programme expenditure, including the management of recharge arrangements, funding allocations and financial risks arising from the ITA. The post holder will contribute to the development of business cases, benefits realisation plans and efficiency programmes, providing robust financial challenge and assurance over anticipated costs, savings and outcomes.
Working across multiple organisations, the post holder will develop financial models and reporting tools, support audit requirements, and exercise professional judgement in resolving complex financial issues relating to programme delivery, governance, contractual obligations and stakeholder expectations.
The post holder will undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the role as required by the accountable managers.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Qualified (CCAB) or finalist studying towards qualification or significant NHS finance experience at this grade Evidenced continuous professional development record Actively studying towards full CCAB qualification
Desirable
First Degree Qualified (CCAB)
Experience Essential
Knowledge and understanding of International Accounting Standards and their application Highly developed and demonstrable knowledge of management accounting and accounting procedures within the NHS Significant experience of working within an NHS Foundation trust(s) Significant experience in the use of accounting systems / software Experience of developing activity, income and expenditure forecasts, including the modelling of different scenarios
Desirable
Experience of modelling the financial impact of service pathway redesign Experience of staff management
Technical Skills Competencies Essential
Advanced user of Microsoft Excel, required to design new and/or improve existing financial monitoring systems Expert analytical skills to solve highly complex financial and non-financial problems Computer literate with experience of using Microsoft office applications Ability to interpret highly complex information, including national financial policies oAbility to manage extensive data sets, and detailed financial information
Desirable
Clear, demonstrable understanding of statutory and other financial responsibilities Influencing and negotiation skills, including the ability to communicate contentious information to an audience that may not be receptive. This will include senior managers within the Trust and external stakeholders
Knowledge Essential
Sound, demonstrable knowledge of financial and accounting procedures. Detailed knowledge of the organisation's objectives and activities Detailed understanding of the NHS agenda and knowledge of NHS financial framework Knowledge of NHS financial and accounting procedures in relation to the portfolio
Desirable
Ability to interpret highly complex information, including national financial policies Experience of Capital accounting and VAT treatment
Interpersonal skills Essential
Excellent inter-personal and communication skills Confident in dealing with people at all levels of Healthset programme delivery structure and the constituent provider trusts Ability to work as a part of cross-organisation and functional teams Ability to communicate sensitive/ contentious financial information in a clear and persuasive way. This will include communication with people with non-financial backgrounds. Ability to liaise with team of fellow professionals and to adopt a collaborative approach both within the Finance function and across UHD,DCH,DHC & SFT
Desirable
Active listening skills, to interpret managers needs and issues Ability to forge and maintain constructive relationships with senior managers and to constructively challenge and hold to account in relation to financial decision making and subsequent consequences
Personal Attributes Essential
Ability to write and present reports on complex matters in a way which can be understood by other professionals Ability to use initiative, work autonomously, and demonstrate flexibility Ability to work as a part of a team Able to communicate sensitive/ contentious financial information in a clear and persuasive way Emotionally resilient with the ability to provide and accept constructive criticism and to reflect and learn from guidance and feedback Well organised, a completer/ finisher with the ability to multi-task complex issues Ability to work to strict deadlines
Desirable
Political astuteness to understand the business, political and economic context in which discussions are taking place
Other Essential
Access to a vehicle for business purposes as travel within Dorset and Somerset required Be able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Poole Hospital
Poole
BH15 2JB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)