Head of Research Finance

About the job

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

Location:

Leeds, London

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

The Science, Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate provides research expertise to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and is responsible for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), led by the DHSC Chief Scientific Adviser as CEO.

SRE oversees more than £1.8bn of annual health research expenditure through NIHR to support research that improves health, social care and public health outcomes in England and globally. This funding is delivered through a complex portfolio of research programmes, infrastructure and systems, working with NHS organisations, universities and a wide range of national and international partners. At any one time DHSC/SRE via NHIR is holding +2,000 research contracts with a range of providers in the UK and overseas, processing hundreds of financial payments monthly.

This role is a key leadership role within the Research Systems Branch. The Branch is responsible for overseeing the operation of a number of functions which enable the NIHR to operate. As such, the Branch is responsible for NIHR finances, procurement and contracting, digital system, communications and impact, open access and publications policy, and patient and public engagement in research.

This role leads a team of 10 officials, with expertise in finance and policy. The postholder will be responsible for strategic oversight of financial management for SRE and NIHR; oversight of NIHR and SRE approach to risk and assurance; and lead on research financing policy.

Head of Research Finance provides strategic financial leadership for SRE and NIHR across the £1.8bn per annum budget, ensuring strong financial control, assurance and value for money while enabling delivery of ministerial and system priorities. The role works closely with the SRE Director and Chief Scientific Adviser (Deputy CEO and CEO of the NIHR), and is central to senior decision‑making on investment, affordability and risk.

This role provides leadership to a technical accounting team and finance policy professionals, and liaises with DHSC financial reporting teams and the NAO. It also provides technical advice and support to the SRE Director as budget holder, reporting to the DHSC Permanent Secretary.

Given the level of financial professional qualification required for this role (CCAB, CIMA or equivalent qualification) the post holder will be eligible for an annual Market Pay Supplement of £5,000. This payment is in addition to the advertised baseline salary.

This position manages a large team across London and Leeds, which requires significant support and engagement including time working face to face. The post holder must be able to travel to either London or Leeds regularly, depending on their location.

The position is open to part‑time, job‑share and flexible working. As a business critical leadership position in SRE, work patterns under 0.8 FTE will not be viable for the breadth of responsibilities.

• Strong team leadership and line management, including being able to mentor and develop a technical team.
• Financial management and budget oversight, including experience of leadership, strategic direction setting, and ensuring effective service delivery.
• Financial assurance and risk management,…