About this role
Job summary
Interview Date: 9th October 2026
Band 9 (indicative, subject to evaluation)
The Director of Corporate Finance is a senior leadership role within the Finance Directorate, responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Trust's new Corporate Finance Directorate.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership for the Trust's corporate finance functions, including financial accounting, financial services, income, expenditure, treasury management, financial reporting and financial governance.
Main duties of the job
Working in partnership with the Director of Strategic Finance and Director of Operational Finance, the Director of Corporate Finance will play a key role in delivering the Finance Directorate Transformation Programme and establishing a modern finance operating model that supports organisational sustainability, operational excellence and strategic decision-making.
Initially appointed to provide additional leadership capacity during a period of transformation, the postholder will assume executive leadership of the Trust's core corporate finance functions, ensuring continued delivery of the Trust's financial plan, strengthening financial control and governance, and supporting the development of a high-performing finance function fit for the future.
About us
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, 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 abuddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Job description Job responsibilities
Communication
Provide highly complex financial advice to the Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer, Executive Team and Trust Board.
Present financial performance, financial risks and recovery actions to Board committees and external stakeholders.
Lead communication relating to corporate financial performance, statutory reporting and financial governance.
Influence senior operational leaders to support delivery of financial objectives and organisational priorities.
Build strong collaborative relationships across clinical, operational and corporate services.
Represent the Trust in discussions with NHS England, Integrated Care System partners and external organisations.
Support the development of a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement throughout the Finance Directorate.
Service delivery and improvement
Provide executive leadership for the Trust's Corporate Finance Directorate.
Lead the operational delivery of the Trust's financial plan through effective control of income, expenditure and financial reporting processes.
Ensure delivery of accurate, timely and robust monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
Lead statutory accounts production and ensure compliance with all NHS and regulatory requirements.
Provide leadership for treasury management, cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
Lead the Trust's financial governance framework and ensure the maintenance of strong internal control arrangements.
Oversee financial services functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management and financial systems support.
Lead the development of an integrated Corporate Finance Directorate bringing together financial accounting, reporting, income, expenditure and governance functions.
Support the design and implementation of the new Finance Directorate operating model.
Identify opportunities for automation, simplification and digital transformation across finance processes.
Support development of Group Finance arrangements for the Trust, Charity and Wholly Owned Subsidiary.
Contribute to delivery of HFMA accreditation and wider finance transformation objectives.
People management and development
Provide leadership and direction to senior finance managers and professional teams within Corporate Finance.
Create a culture of high performance, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Lead organisational change and service redesign associated with the Finance Transformation Programme.
Support succession planning and talent management across the Finance Directorate.
Develop leadership capability within Corporate Finance teams.
Ensure effective workforce planning and deployment of resources.
Conduct appraisals and support professional development of direct reports.
Promote the Trust's values and behaviours through visible and inclusive leadership
Patient care delivery
Although the postholder will have no direct patient care responsibilities, they will contribute significantly to improving patient outcomes by:
Ensuring effective stewardship of public resources;
Supporting sustainable financial decision-making;
Enabling investment in frontline services;
Supporting productivity and efficiency programmes;
Providing robust financial insight to support strategic and operational decisions;
Strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of the Trust.
Learning and development
Attend mandatory training updates as required.
Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
Participate in the Trusts appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
Please see the attached job description and person specification for the full details.
Person Specification
Professional Registration Essential
Full CCAB professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent). Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Desirable
Master's degree or equivalent level qualification. Leadership or management qualification
Experience/ Qualifications Essential
Significant senior finance leadership experience within a large and complex NHS organisation. Extensive experience of financial accounting, statutory reporting and financial governance. Proven experience of leading large finance teams through organisational change. Experience of delivering financial recovery, financial sustainability and financial improvement programmes. Experience of supporting Boards, Executive Teams and Board Committees. Demonstrable experience of working effectively with clinical and operational leaders
Desirable
Previous experience as Deputy CFO, Director of Finance or equivalent. Experience of group structures, subsidiaries or charitable organisations. Experience leading finance transformation programmes. Experience of contributing to HFMA accreditation or equivalent organisational development programmes
Skills Essential
Exceptional strategic financial leadership skills. Strong understanding of NHS financial regime and regulatory requirements. Ability to lead complex organisational change. Highly developed analytical and problem-solving capability. Strong influencing and negotiating skills. Ability to communicate highly complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences. Excellent governance and risk management skills. Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Desirable
Knowledge of digital finance, automation, AI and finance transformation methodologies. Knowledge of treasury management and commercial finance activities
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Essential
Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Freedom to Act Essential
The postholder will operate with a high degree of autonomy, acting on behalf of the Chief Financial Officer across a broad range of corporate finance matters. The postholder will be expected to make complex financial, operational and workforce decisions, exercising professional judgement within broad Trust policies and strategic objectives. The role will significantly influence organisational decision-making and require independent leadership of major programmes of work, whilst remaining accountable to the Chief Financial Officer for overall delivery and performance.
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).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address Worthing
Worthing
BN11 2DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)