Wessex Secure Date Environment Finance Manager

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton (UHS) NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. The role is part of a collaborative team supporting the delivery of the Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE programme) and Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre to scale data research across the region.

This position provides high‑quality financial leadership across a range of projects, including the development of robust costing models, insightful analysis and clear financial guidance to support decision‑making. You will work closely with operational, technical and project teams, ensuring strong stakeholder engagement, accurate financial planning and full compliance with governance and approval processes.

Southampton offers a vibrant setting with a range of learning and development opportunities, flexible working environment and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds to join our diverse, inclusive team.

• Lead the development of accurate, transparent and fit‑for‑purpose costing models for new and existing projects.
• Provide clear financial insight, challenge and guidance to senior leaders and project teams.
• Build strong working relationships across operational, technical and project functions to ensure financial inputs, assumptions and risks are well understood and agreed.
• Support effective stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment of scope, expectations and delivery timelines.
• Maintain high‑quality financial reporting, including forecasts, variance analysis and scenario modelling.
• Ensure all financial processes comply with organisational policies, financial controls and governance requirements.
• Prepare financial papers for approval routes and contribute to business cases and investment submissions.
• Support continuous improvement of financial processes, templates and decision‑support tools.
• Provide leadership, coaching and guidance within the finance team where required.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non‑finance colleagues.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse teams.
• Proven experience working in a large, complex organisation, ideally with project‑based or R&D‑related activities.
• A proactive and organised approach, able to work effectively to tight deadlines and manage conflicting priorities.
• Strong analytical capability, including the ability to develop accurate costing models and undertake scenario analysis.
• Confident understanding of financial governance and approval routes.
• A collaborative mindset with a focus on problem‑solving and adding value.
• Professional accountancy qualification, CCAB.

• Professional qualification (CCAB) in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA) or exceptional finalist with strong first degree and professional examination results.
• Current / recent experience in a finance environment.

• Current / recent knowledge and understanding of the NHS financial environment.

• Knowledge of designing and working with spreadsheets.
• Detailed understanding of budgetary control processes and budget setting / financial planning.
• Broad understanding of financial accounting and control issues.
• Understanding of financial information systems and the ability to extract relevant information.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to clearly communicate the results of such analysis.
• Excellent communicator both verbally and in writing.
• Experience of financial project management / financial appraisal and forecasting.

• Ability to make use of systems (e.g., Excel, Word) to prepare and present accurate, clear information and reports.
• Experience of working within an NHS management accounts team.
• Previous experience of working with Oracle Finance systems.
• Record of improving processes and reporting in previous roles.

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