Principal Finance Manager

Job summary

Make a real difference where finance meets patient care. This is more than just a numbers role, you will have the opportunity to work side by side with clinicians and managers, supporting informed decision making and driving financial sustainability.

Due to promotion within the NHS, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced finance professional to join our busy and dynamic financial management team. The post will support the chief finance manager in providing a professional high quality financial management accounting service to several specialties. This involves coordinating the operational financial management section providing monthly financial and business planning advice as well as investigating and advising on highly complex and sensitive financial issues.

Candidates must be CCAB qualified accountants and have substantial relevant experience working in a financial management environment.

You will have excellent interpersonal, communication, presentation, analytical and people management skills and have experience of dealing with difficult situations and the ability to handle conflicting interests in a positive and professional manner. In return, you will be supported to develop a varied and rewarding career within a top performing healthcare setting.

Main duties of the job

• Responsible for the management of a Financial Management section in providing a professional, high quality financial management accounting service.
• Producing clear, timely budget reports, forecasts, and variance analysis.
• Supporting service development, business cases, and investment decisions
• Translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insight for non-finance colleagues.
• Supporting cost improvement programmes while maintaining quality and safety.
• Managing and developing finance staff (where applicable).
• Play a leading role in both Business Unit and Trustwide teams in determining and monitoring strategic direction and operational processes.
• Responsible for investigating and advising on highly complex and sensitive financial issues.
• Provides financial and business planning advice and corporate reports to ensure financial controls are maintained in line with Corporate Governance requirements.
• Ensures statutory accounts & returns are accurate and meet agreed timescales and legal requirements, interpreting these where necessary.
• Contributes to the medium term financial strategy of the Trust and to the objectives of the Business Units.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional Accountancy qualification
• Participation in Continuing Professional Development Programme

Experience

Essential

• Highly developed specialist knowledge and experience of Financial Management regimes and legislation, acquired over a substantial period of time post-qualification, working alongside other experienced professional accountants, attending appropriate courses and undertaking extended self-study.

Desirable

• Working knowledge of Oracle Financials computer system
• Specialist knowledge and experience of NHS financial regimes and legislation

Other

Essential

• It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role. However, the Trust would consider making reasonable adjustments to the role, if necessary, to enable a disabled person to undertake the role

Closing Date: 12 July 2026