Position Overview
- Role: Senior Finance Business Partner
- Location: Velindre Cancer Centre, Velindre Road, Whitchurch, CF14 2TL, United Kingdom
- Salary: £46,840 – £53,602 (Band 7, Agenda for Change)
- Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time
- Closing Date: 2 June 2025
- Visa Sponsorship: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Available
About the Role
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you will take on a vital strategic and operational leadership role at Velindre University NHS Trust, shaping and influencing the Trust’s financial landscape. Reporting directly to the Deputy Head of Finance Business Partnering, this role requires a dynamic and highly experienced finance professional who can provide clear, effective financial leadership to both internal and external stakeholders.
You will head the RD&I Finance Business Partner Team, managing financial support for research and innovation initiatives, developing robust business models, ensuring compliance with NHS financial governance, and delivering high-impact insights. This is a role suited to someone who thrives in a complex environment where innovation, analytics, and stakeholder engagement are central.
Notably, this position is open to international applicants, with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) available for those requiring a UK work visa. It presents an exceptional opportunity for finance professionals seeking to embed themselves in one of the UK’s leading healthcare organisations.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Business Partnering
- Provide direct strategic finance support to the RD&I department to enable long-term success.
- Partner with senior leaders to plan and execute annual budgets, ensuring financial objectives align with research goals.
- Deliver timely and detailed financial analyses to inform decisions related to funding allocations, grant applications, and project viability.
- Develop innovative forecasting models and budgeting tools that reflect complex income and cost structures.
- Monitor budgetary performance and recommend adjustments based on performance metrics and external funding changes.
- Contribute to multi-year financial planning and scenario modelling across the Trust.
Financial Control and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure financial activities comply with NHS governance frameworks, including Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) and Standing Orders (SOs).
- Prepare and review financial statements, audit reports, and internal controls documentation.
- Take a proactive approach to risk identification and mitigation by developing internal control strategies.
- Establish benchmarks and key performance indicators to track compliance and efficiency.
- Lead on financial planning for NHS R&D funding, including financial claims and reconciliations.
- Ensure all financial activities follow audit trails, transparency protocols, and legal frameworks.
Contractual, Legal, and Commercial Oversight
- Take the lead in reviewing, negotiating, and managing research-related contracts with external institutions and funding bodies.
- Provide expert financial input into intellectual property matters and innovation funding agreements.
- Establish and manage costing models for clinical trials and ensure cost recovery mechanisms are properly applied.
- Mitigate risk by working with legal teams to interpret complex contract clauses and liabilities.
- Facilitate partnership agreements with academic and commercial research institutions to drive income streams.
- Maintain strong oversight of income generation, pricing strategies, and licensing agreements for innovation outputs.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
- Act as a key liaison between finance and non-financial teams, translating technical financial data into meaningful insights.
- Attend and contribute to Trust-wide committees, strategic boards, and multi-disciplinary project groups.
- Represent the finance function at meetings with national funding bodies, academic partners, and regulatory agencies.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with clinical directors, project leads, and external funding agencies.
- Deputise for the Deputy Head of Business Partnering in high-level forums, ensuring consistency in strategic messaging.
- Promote open and consistent communication, ensuring finance is seen as a proactive, solution-focused partner.
Leadership, People Development, and Team Growth
- Line-manage finance staff within the RD&I team, providing structured guidance, support, and supervision.
- Foster a high-performing culture, encouraging continuous professional development, innovation, and accountability.
- Deliver regular training and development sessions to enhance team skill sets.
- Implement workload management strategies and performance frameworks.
- Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion within the finance function.
- Ensure adherence to NHS and statutory HR policies including the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, and safeguarding protocols.
About Velindre University NHS Trust
Velindre University NHS Trust is a leading specialist healthcare organisation in Wales with a strong reputation for excellence in cancer care, blood services, and research innovation. The Trust is responsible for the Velindre Cancer Centre, which delivers high-quality cancer treatment and care to the South East Wales region, and the Welsh Blood Service, which provides essential blood products across the country.
Velindre is also closely affiliated with Health Technology Wales, the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, and various UK and international academic and research institutions. Since its inception in 1999, the Trust has built a reputation for driving transformational healthcare through innovation, research, and patient-focused care.
Our Core Values:
- Accountable: We act with integrity and take responsibility for our actions.
- Bold: We innovate and challenge ourselves to deliver the best outcomes.
- Caring: We place compassion, dignity, and empathy at the heart of our services.
- Dynamic: We embrace change and work together to achieve sustainable progress.
Candidate Profile
Essential Qualifications and Experience:
- Fully qualified accountant with CCAB-recognised qualification (CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW).
- Demonstrated record of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in financial leadership roles.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a large, complex public sector environment.
- Deep knowledge of NHS finance systems, investment appraisal, costing frameworks, and capital planning.
- Successful track record of managing finance teams and contributing to organisational goals.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound financial judgments.
- Ability to present financial information in a clear, concise manner to senior non-financial stakeholders.
Desirable Skills and Attributes:
- Prior experience in research finance or university healthcare settings.
- Understanding of UK VAT and tax implications within NHS and research contexts.
- Familiarity with intellectual property management, grant funding, and commercialisation pathways.
- Proficient in the use of ERP systems such as Oracle or SAP.
- Excellent knowledge of trust-wide financial planning, audit compliance, and NHS reporting cycles.
- High-level written and verbal communication abilities.
Why Join Velindre University NHS Trust?
Financial and Employment Benefits:
- Competitive salary under NHS Band 7 with structured pay progression.
- Full access to the NHS Pension Scheme with employer contributions.
- Long-term job stability in a permanent, full-time role.
- Generous holiday entitlement and annual leave allowances.
- Overtime pay and on-call allowances where applicable.
Career Development and Training:
- Participate in Trust-wide financial strategy and leadership projects.
- Access to formal CPD training, finance leadership seminars, and NHS finance academies.
- Support for achieving additional professional qualifications or certifications.
- Engagement with cutting-edge innovation, clinical trials, and healthcare transformation projects.
Work-Life Balance and Culture:
- Flexible work schedules and hybrid working opportunities.
- Supportive team culture with regular wellness activities and staff support programs.
- Access to NHS health and well-being support services including counselling and stress management.
- Collaborative, inclusive working environment focused on shared purpose and values.
Relocation and International Support:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for non-UK applicants.
- Relocation support, including help with accommodation and settling in Wales.
- Inclusion in the Trust’s international staff network, offering cultural support and peer mentorship.
- Access to immigration advisory services and onboarding assistance.
Application Process
How to Apply:
Submit your application through the NHS Jobs portal or via the Velindre University NHS Trust’s official careers page. Ensure that your application includes a comprehensive personal statement detailing how you meet both the essential and desirable criteria listed.
Recruitment Timeline:
- Job Posted: 19 May 2025
- Application Deadline: 2 June 2025
- Reference Number: 120-AC801-0525
Additional Information
- Applications are accepted in both English and Welsh in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards.
- Candidates expressing interest in other corporate finance roles within the Trust may be considered during the same recruitment process.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview panel, which may include a short presentation or case study.
Contact for Informal Discussion:
- Amie Garwood Pask
Deputy Head of Finance Business Partnering
amie.garwood-pask@wales.nhs.uk
Final Thoughts
This role offers a unique opportunity for finance professionals to step into a position of strategic influence within one of the UK’s most innovative healthcare organisations. Whether you are an experienced NHS accountant or an international finance leader seeking a rewarding challenge, this post is designed to help you thrive.
Join Velindre University NHS Trust and become part of a team committed to transforming lives through research, care, and collaboration. Your skills in financial leadership can make a profound difference in the delivery of world-class healthcare services.