Employer: Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Job Title: Head of Finance
Location: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Salary: £79,504 to £91,609 a year
Job Type: Full-time & Part-time
The closing date is 19 May 2026
Job summary
The Head of Finance – Projects will be a key member of the Strategic Finance Team within the Financial Management Department. The Projects Finance Team, comprising four posts, operates within a matrix structure and supports a range of high-profile, Trust-wide initiatives. These include major programmes such as the Cambridge Cancer Research and Cambridge Children’s Hospitals, alongside core strategic priorities within the Trust’s wider strategy, including Neighbourhood Health. This role presents a unique and exciting opportunity to contribute directly to some of the most significant and transformative projects at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH).
The postholder will play a pivotal role in shaping strategic decision-making across the Trust and the wider health system. This will be achieved through the provision of highly complex financial analysis, business insight, and expert advice to the Trust Board, senior leaders, and clinical teams. The decisions supported by this role will have a lasting impact on the quality of care delivered to patients and the working environment for staff.
Main duties of the job
The Head of Finance – Projects will act as the lead financial specialist for specific large strategic capital projects including:
- Developing complex business cases
- Analysing complex business opportunities
- Identifying and reporting associated financial efficiencies
While supporting the completion of the Full Business Case for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital, this post will work across CUH and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHSFT (CPFT).
About us
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 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. The Trust values differences and fully advocates and supports an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. CUH aims to ensure its people are truly representative of all the communities that it serves. Applications are welcome for all positions irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, the Trust will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
- Applied for a Graduate visa
- Or will have successfully completed your course and applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment
This vacancy will close at midnight on 19th May 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 29th May 2026.
Benefits to you
Cambridge University Hospitals offers support for good working days and provides a wide range of benefits, including:
- On-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries
- Reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site
- Free Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites
- Free travel on the route to and from Cambridge train station and the hospitals
- Subsidised on-site parking for eligible staff
- 24/7 reduced-cost hot food on campus
- Staff pod break spaces, including a colleague-only café with free tea and coffee, break space and private outside area
- Flexible working arrangements including part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times
- Support for work-life balance depending on role or personal circumstances
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.
CUH welcomes applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised Professional Accountancy Qualification (i.e. Fully Qualified member of CCAB) or equivalent experience
- Degree or equivalent
- Completion of evidenced ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD), in accordance with guidelines produced by the relevant Professional Accountancy Body
Desirable
- Masters Qualification
- Better Business Case Foundation and Practitioner levels
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of Financial Management including substantial post qualification experience operating at a strategic level
- Experience of working at a strategic level, able to recognise direction and implications of policy
- Extensive experience of the financial elements of business planning, the preparation of business cases and the practical application of investment appraisal techniques
- Experience of costing methodologies and their applications
Desirable
- Experience of working with external professional advisors
- Experience of financial planning on an organisational basis
- Experience of tariff pricing structures
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to negotiate effectively and maintain robust partnership relationships
- Specialist, expert knowledge of NHS policies/procedure (e.g. Payment by Results, Coding, Patient Choice, Foundation Trusts)
- Good working knowledge and understanding of NHS targets and performance management framework
- Up to date knowledge of Financial and Management Accounting procedures including IFRS
- Understanding of clinical practice changes and impact on resource utilisation
Skills
Essential
- Written communication skills including ability to summarise complex financial issues and prepare business cases
- Verbal communication and presentation skills to explain complex financial issues to non-financial staff
- Ability to influence decision making in sensitive or contentious environments
- Ability to work autonomously and make independent decisions
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to assess financial risk in complex situations
- Ability to advise on long-term strategic decisions
- Comprehensive IT skills including financial systems, spreadsheets, reports and databases
Additional requirements
Essential
- Alignment with Trust values: safe, kind, excellent
- Supportive and facilitative management style
- Ability to work with senior colleagues including Trust Board level
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and make quick decisions
- Discretion, integrity and reliability
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.
How to Apply
If you’re interested in this role, visit the official website for more information — click here to apply now.