About this role
Job summary
The Head of Finance (CUHP) is the organisation's senior financial leader, holding corporate responsibility for the stewardship, integrity and sustainability of CUHP's financial resources. You will be accountable for the development and delivery of the organisation's financial strategy and governance framework, ensuring robust financial control across a multi-million-pound portfolio of core and grant-funded activity.
The Head of Finance (CUHP) will have a robust track record in financial leadership, with expertise and experience related to internal and external reporting, financial controls and accounting infrastructure. Youwill be responsible for annual business and financial planning, overseeing sound financial management and governance, and taking responsibility (with the external support from PEM) for in-year financial reporting.
The Head of Finance (CUHP) will establish and maintain critical relationships important to effective financial governance, including the external finance partner (currentlyPeters Elworthy & Moore(PEM)), finance functions of member organisations, external auditors and partner organisations across the ecosystem where there are grants and/or shared costs.
This role of Finance Manager for CUHP is a new role, reflecting the multi-million-pound budget of the organisation, increased scope of CUHP activities, the new independence in financial operations and increasing complexity of financial management with a widening range of income sources.
Main duties of the job
Operating with a high degree of professional autonomy, the role provides authoritative financial advice to the Executive Team, Board and Joint Steering Committee, influencing strategic decision-making and investment priorities. You will lead financial risk management, ensure compliance with regulatory and grant conditions, and maintain effective systems of internal control within a complex, partnership-based operating model.
The Head of Finance (CUHP) will exercise organisation-wide influence, providing functional leadership of the finance service and overseeing commissioned finance provision. The role requires strategic judgement, advanced analytical capability and the ability to operate confidently at Board level while ensuring operational financial excellence.
The purpose of this role is to provide specialised financial leadership, control and focused financial analysis and advice to the Executive Director, Managing Director and wider CUHP Team. You will be in a key strategic position to enable CUHP to respond appropriately to a dynamic and complex financial environment. To this end, the post holder must show high levels of financial expertise, business acumen, and excellent influencing and negotiation skills.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 11000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description Job responsibilities
Cambridge University Health Partners (CUHP) is one of eight Academic Health Science Centres in England whose mission is to improve patient healthcare by bringing together the NHS, industry and academia.
By inspiring and organising collaboration, CUHP aims to ensure patients reap the benefits of the world class research, clinicians and industry which are based in Cambridge and the surrounding area.
CUHP is established as a separate company, with core funding from the Members, and increasingly sources other grants to fund its activities. The Members, representatives of which form the Board of Directors, are: Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge.
CUHP is also currently hosting a high-profile, multi-partner innovation programme Cambridge NeuroWorks funded by the UKs Advanced Research and Inventions Agency (ARIA) and the ambition is to grow this function of hosting significant grants for the Cambridge ecosystem.
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Please note:- Internal applicants on permanent contracts can apply for this post as a secondment or fixed term contract. For secondments you must have the approval of your line manager before applying. If you are an internal applicant currently on a fixed term contract you are able to apply for this as a fixed term position.
The advert will close at midnight on 20 August 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 4 September 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Qualified CCAB / CIMA accountant; post holder must comply with all the professional ethics of the accounting body to which they are registered Educated to Degree standard
Experience Essential
Substantial relevant proven experience of financial Management and Performance within a complex organisation with a track record of delivery Experience of working with financial management systems Relevant broad range of financial experience in a number of roles gained in complex organisations Financial accounting experience Experience of working to tight deadlines in a performance-driven environment
Desirable
Healthcare or research knowledge and experience Demonstrable experience in managing large, multi-stakeholder grant-funded programmes, ideally involving innovation, R&D, or academic / clinical partnerships Demonstrated experience in negotiating with partners, suppliers, and stakeholders to achieve pragmatic, collaborative, and mutually beneficial ("win-win") outcomes
Knowledge Essential
Detailed and up to date understanding compliant organisational policies: Standing Financial Instructions, Standing Orders, Budgetary Control Policy, Establishment control policies Experience in advice, guidance and training to Finance staff as well as non-financial managers Full working knowledge of General Ledger systems and associated software High level of computer literacy
Desirable
Knowledge of NHS and Universities financial regime and systems Knowledge of financial accounting procedures, as well as in depth knowledge of the financial and accounting procedures used within healthcare and universities
Skills Essential
The post-holder must have the ability to understand the challenges of a changing service in context of the organisational dynamics of the healthcare, research and universities sector Highly developed analytical and interpretative skills to enable an extensive understanding of financial, information and performance management needs of a complex organisation they will be able to produce and present financial and non-financial information to employees across the organisation Demonstrate the highest standards of interpersonal, influencing, communication and organisational skills; work autonomously and under pressure to meet strict reporting deadlines and where required work as part of a results orientated team Possess professional leadership and management skills and be able to successfully motivate staff; they will be expected to provide appropriate guidance and advice on technical issues to non-financial managers Commands credibility and respect from operational managers and colleagues Able to work under pressure and to plan and prioritise workload effectively Professional and reputation for integrity Flexible and supportive work colleague Presents complex financial plans including information to all levels across the organisation Manages and makes judgments on highly complex financial problem
Additional Requirements Essential
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
Desirable
Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications (including advanced Excel), cloud-based collaboration platforms MS Teams, SharePoint, and financial reporting tools to manage, analyse and present complex programme data effectively
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 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division R&D
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)