Deputy Head of Finance

MLC Partners are proud to be supporting a large and highly regarded NHS Trust in the appointment of a Deputy Head of Finance on a 6-month fixed-term contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to join a complex and fast-paced healthcare environment, providing high-quality financial leadership, business partnering, and strategic support to senior operational and clinical leaders.

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the Head of Finance and wider senior team, delivering insightful financial analysis, leading budget setting and forecasting processes, and helping drive sound financial decision-making across a substantial service area.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of strategic financial planning and business partnering across designated divisions/directorates
• Provide expert financial advice to senior managers and budget holders
• Lead on budget setting, forecasting, variance analysis, and in-year financial performance reporting
• Support the development of business cases, investment appraisals, and cost improvement plans
• Represent finance at senior management and operational meetings
• Ensure financial systems, controls, and processes are robust, effective, and aligned to organisational objectives
• Contribute to statutory reporting, annual accounts processes, and wider financial governance requirements
• Support, develop, and mentor finance staff within the team
• Deliver financial training and guidance to non-finance stakeholders where required

Candidate profile:

• CCAB qualified, or actively studying towards qualification with significant relevant experience
• Strong financial management background in a large and complex organisation
• Excellent analytical and modelling skills, including advanced Excel capability
• Proven ability to influence, challenge, and build strong relationships with senior stakeholders
• Experience of budget setting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Strong leadership skills with experience of managing or developing staff

Desirable:

• Previous NHS or wider public sector experience
• Understanding of NHS finance and reporting frameworks
• Experience working with complex budget setting or financial planning systems

This role would suit a proactive and credible finance leader who is comfortable working in a highly visible business partnering role and able to communicate complex financial information clearly to a wide range of stakeholders.