Band 8b Deputy Head of Finance
Closing date: 24 May 2026
Ready to make every pound count where it matters most? We are seeking qualified accountants to join Good Hope Hospital (GHH) and Birmingham Heartlands Hospital (BHH) as Deputy Heads of Finance, where your expertise directly supports patient care in some of England's most deprived and diverse communities.
With turnovers of 530m (BHH) and 140m (GHH), you will report to an Associate Director of Finance and act as a trusted advisor to clinical and operational leaders, influencing decisions that balance financial control with high-quality care. This is an opportunity to develop senior finance leadership skills in a supportive environment where financial discipline enables, rather than constrains, frontline services.
You will lead business partnering, performance reporting, forecasting and financial planning, productivity and efficiency initiatives, and constructive financial challenge. You will develop and manage a high‑performing finance team and deputise for the Associate Director of Finance when required, representing finance at senior forums.
We are looking for values‑driven leaders who see finance as the foundation for excellent care, can build strong relationships and lead through influence. Successful candidates may choose their preferred hospital site, with relevant specialist experience considered.
For an informal discussion, contact Dan Harvey (Daniel.Harvey@uhb.nhs.uk) or Zak Hussain (Zak.Hussain@uhb.nhs.uk).
Main duties of the job
- Business Partnership - Be the financial voice for our services, driving insight and timely decision‑making that balances quality care with financial sustainability.
- Performance Leadership - Deliver accurate, timely monthly reports to Board and stakeholders, ensuring key decisions are based on robust financial information.
- Forecasting & Planning - Oversee preparation of robust forecasts, lead annual financial planning, and support mitigation actions when performance deviates from plan.
- Productivity Champion - Identify efficiency opportunities using financial analysis and project management skills, working with teams to deliver productivity improvements on time.
- Financial Challenge - Lead discussions on financial performance, appropriately challenging managers and highlighting financial implications of operational decisions.
- Team Development - Manage and develop your finance team, creating a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring comprehensive service to all stakeholders.
- Deputising Authority - Step up for the Associate Director of Finance when required, developing advanced understanding of services and representing finance at senior meetings.
You’ll live our values: Kind, Connected, Bold. You’ll work where financial discipline meets compassion, where every decision considers community impact, and where doing more with less isn’t just a challenge – it’s our commitment to the people we serve.
About us
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust strives to have an inclusive culture where everyone feels like they belong, can thrive, knows that they add value and feels valued. We do this by developing compassionate and culturally competent leaders, being values driven in all that we do and by creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that thrives on the diversity of our people. As such we want to attract and recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds, and for each of you to feel supported for the diversity you bring, to achieve your full potential. For staff with a disability, including physical disability, long‑term health condition, mental health or neuro‑diverse condition, this also means being committed to making reasonable adjustments needed for you to carry out your role.
Qualifications
- Recognised Professional Accountancy Qualification – i.e. Fully Qualified member of CCAB (as per HFMA national finance profiles definition).
- Completion of evidenced ongoing continuing professional development, in accordance with guidelines produced by the relevant Professional Accountancy Body.
Experience
- Track record of leading change in a complex organisation.
- Experience of multi‑professional collaboration at a senior level.
- Development and utilisation of internal and external benchmarking techniques including the use within business case appraisal.
- Experience of leading, managing and developing a team.
- Experience of suggesting and making changes to local systems and processes.
- Extensive relevant experience of Financial Management.
- Evidence of delivering savings within a health or social care setting.
- Specialist, expert knowledge of specific NHS policies/procedures for example Payment by Results, Coding, Patient Choice, Foundation Trusts, GIRFT, Model Hospital.
- Good working knowledge of and proven interest in the NHS including understanding of key targets and the performance management framework.
- Up to date, in‑depth knowledge of Financial and Management Accounting procedures including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- Familiarity with relevant changes in clinical practice and the consequent impact on resource utilisation.
Additional Criteria
- Excellent written communication skills including the ability to summarise highly complex financial issues into concise financial reports and prepare complex, multi‑faceted business cases.
- Good verbal communication and presentation skills including the ability to explain highly complex financial issues clearly and persuasively to non‑financial staff and communicate sensitive or contentious information in order to influence decision making.
- Excellent negotiation skills are required to overcome barriers to understanding arising from the complexity of issues. The ability to empathise with a conflicting point of view and work in a co‑operative way in order to facilitate a workable compromise is essential.
- Strong inter‑personal skills including the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues at all levels from within the organisation and external stakeholders.
- Awareness of organisational politics in order to keep healthcare professionals on board with the change and resource management agenda.
- Ability to effectively lead and motivate teams to manage change and achieve organisational goals.
- Flexibility to work autonomously with the skills to make decisions independently and delegate effectively.
- Proven ability to use own initiative, prioritise work to meet tight deadlines, delegate appropriately and apply problem‑solving skills effectively.
- Good understanding of operational issues and how organisational pressures affect broader resource utilisation.
- Experience of transformation and change management.
- Strong analytical skills including the ability to make sound judgements and decisions on highly complex issues to minimise financial risk in situations where there is a multiplicity of targets/objectives, imperfect information and no obvious precedent.
- Ability to make judgements on financial risks where expert opinions may conflict is required.
- Ability to remain calm and perform consistently in stressful situations, including formal meetings with Executive Directors and senior staff from external organisations.
- Confidence to advise on certain courses of action/decisions which may have far‑reaching and long‑term strategic consequences for the Trust.
- Commitment to development and training of staff.
- Willingness to learn.
- High levels of personal integrity and displays smart appearance.
- Adhere to and ensure compliance with relevant Health and Safety legislation.
- Reliable, punctual, proactive approach.
- Ability to travel to fulfil the role, both between hospital sites and elsewhere, as required.
- Comprehensive IT skills including the use of Financial Systems / General Ledgers. Experience with Microsoft Office products/other software packages including the ability to design highly complex spreadsheets, reports and databases to manipulate and analyse technical data and convert it into an accessible, user‑friendly format.
- Member of the HFMA.
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.
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