About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the National Institute for Health and Care Research London Applied Research Collaboration, known as the NIHR London ARC, as a Deputy Finance Manager.
The London ARC is a £22 million, pan-London research infrastructure partnership involving more than 20 organisations across the NHS, universities, local authorities, and the voluntary and community sector. It brings together London's research, practice, policy, innovation and commercial capabilities within a single applied research programme.
Hosted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, the Deputy Finance Manager will provide strategic and operational financial management support across this complex, multi-partner programme. The postholder will lead on financial planning, budget monitoring, forecasting, reporting and financial governance, ensuring that funding is managed effectively and in accordance with NIHR requirements, Trust policies and wider public-sector financial governance standards.
This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively, analysing complex financial information and supporting senior stakeholders to make informed decisions. The successful candidate will need strong technical accounting and analytical skills, together with the ability to communicate financial information clearly to finance and non-finance colleagues.
Interview date: 23rd November 2026
Main duties of the job
The postholder will
- Develop and maintain robust financial plans, forecasts and budget-monitoring processes.
- Produce timely and accurate monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for ARC leadership, governance groups, partner organisations and external funders.
- Monitor expenditure against budget, identifying financial risks, opportunities and appropriate corrective action.
- Oversee partner funding allocations, expenditure claims, reconciliations and financial returns.
- Support annual budgeting, business planning, grant applications, contract negotiations and funding submissions.
- Prepare and process budget adjustments, accruals, recodes and other journal transactions required to maintain an accurate financial position.
- Develop financial models and scenario analysis to support planning, investment decisions and business cases.
- Provide clear financial advice and guidance to researchers, programme managers, workstream leads and senior leaders.
- Maintain effective financial controls, documentation and audit trails.
- Support internal and external audit processes and help implement resulting recommendations.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting systems and ways of working across the programme.
The role requires an individual who can work effectively across organisational boundaries and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
About us
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best-known hospitals: Guy's Hospital, St Thomas' Hospital, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton Hospital and Harefield Hospital. The Trust also provides community services in Lambeth and Southwark and has a long history of high-quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.
The NIHR London ARC conducts applied health and care research addressing the priorities of patients, communities, practitioners and policymakers. Working across organisational and sector boundaries, the collaboration aims to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and accelerate the translation of research evidence into practice across London's diverse communities.
Although the post is employed and hosted by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, the successful candidate will work as part of the wider London ARC partnership. The role will operate through both local Trust management arrangements and the relevant London ARC leadership and governance structures.
Our Trust values are
- Caring - we put patients first.
- Ambitious - we innovate and strive for excellence.
- Inclusive - we respect each other and work collaboratively.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Financial Management and Reporting
The successful candidate will
- Lead the financial management of the NIHR London ARC programme and associated budgets.
- Develop and maintain financial plans, forecasts and budget monitoring processes.
- Produce regular financial reports for programme leadership, governance groups, host organisations and funders.
- Monitor performance against budget, investigate variances and recommend corrective action where required.
- Support annual budget setting and business planning.
- Ensure compliance with NIHR funding requirements, Trust policies and relevant accounting standards.
- Coordinate partner funding allocations, expenditure claims and financial reconciliations.
- Prepare financial returns and submissions required by funders and host organisations.
- Contribute to the financial aspects of grant applications, funding proposals and contract negotiations.
- Process budget adjustments and financial journals to ensure accurate reporting.
Financial Analysis and Business Support
The successful candidate will
- Provide financial analysis and insight to inform strategic and operational decision-making.
- Develop financial models, forecasts and scenario analyses to support planning and investment decisions.
- Identify financial risks and opportunities, and propose mitigating actions.
- Contribute financial input to business cases and investment proposals.
- Support budget holders and programme leads in managing resources effectively.
- Communicate complex financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
Governance and Compliance
The successful candidate will
- Maintain effective financial controls across the programme.
- Support internal and external audits and ensure agreed actions are implemented.
- Ensure compliance with financial regulations, procurement requirements and funder conditions.
- Contribute to the development and review of financial policies, procedures and guidance.
- Maintain accurate records and robust audit trails for financial transactions and decisions.
Partnership Working
The successful candidate will
- Act as a key finance contact for London ARC partners and stakeholders.
- Build productive working relationships across partner organisations.
- Provide professional financial advice and guidance to researchers, programme managers and senior leaders.
- Support financial planning, monitoring and performance discussions with partners.
- Work collaboratively with finance, procurement, HR, research and business support teams across the partnership.
Continuous Improvement and Professional Responsibilities
The successful candidate will
- Identify and implement improvements to financial processes, systems and reporting.
- Develop efficient reporting arrangements that support effective programme management and decision-making.
- Promote high standards of financial management and governance across the partnership.
- Maintain professional integrity and accountability in all aspects of the role.
- Keep up to date with developments in NHS finance, research funding and public sector financial management.
- Undertake continuing professional development and maintain relevant knowledge and skills.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of work.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential
- Substantial progress towards completion of a CCAB/CIMA recognised accountancy qualification.
- Advanced Excel spreadsheet skills to 'macro' level.
Desirable
- Fully CCAB/CIMA Qualified
- Experience of research grant or research infrastructure finance
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience in a finance business partnering, management accounting or research finance role.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and presenting financial information to non-finance audiences.
- Experience managing complex budgets and financial reporting processes.
Desirable
- Experience within the NHS, higher education or publicly funded research environment.
Personal attributes
Essential
- Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills.
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgement.
Test
Essential
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Ability to interpret complex financial data and provide clear recommendations.
Understand and be able to apply the concepts and techniques for:
- 1. Budgeting and financial planning,
- 2. Costing and pricing,
- 3. Variance analysis and financial reporting,
- 4. The purpose of accounting accruals and provisions.
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
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Becket House and Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YB
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)