Job summary
Job SummaryAre you an experienced and forward thinking finance leader ready to make a strategic impact across a complex and growing NHS group structure.
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to lead our Corporate Services financial portfolio, drive excellence in group accounting, and play a pivotal role in shaping the organisations financial future.
This senior leadership position offers the opportunity to influence financial strategy at the highest levels, supporting Executive Directors, senior managers, and the Transformational Programme Board. You will take lead responsibility for group accounting, ensuring the Trusts wholly owned subsidiaries, group entities, and joint ventures operate under robust, compliant and transparent financial arrangements.
You will also oversee the financial performance and governance of Corporate Services functions including Education, EPIC, Estates and Facilities while leading a finance team of 7 to 8 professionals.
This is a dynamic, strategic role perfect for an ambitious finance leader with deep expertise in complex consolidation, joint venture reporting and transformational change.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties of the job
Lead the preparation, consolidation and analysis of group accounts, ensuring accuracy, strong governance and statutory compliance.
Provide strategic financial insight to Executive and Board level stakeholders to support high quality decision making.
Drive improvements in joint venture reporting and group consolidation processes.
Develop and deliver specialist finance training across group accounting, JV governance and education funding.
Lead and motivate a high performing Corporate Services finance team.
Support the Transformational CIP Programme Board, including reporting from multiple workstreams.
Shape the medium and long term financial strategy for Corporate Services, identifying risks, opportunities and efficiency schemes.
Act as a senior subject matter expert on complex group financial reporting, elimination adjustments and intercompany transactions.
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential
Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
The post holder will be responsible for delivering comprehensive and strategic financial management support to Corporate Services departments and the Transformational Programme Board. A core focus of the role will be providing senior leadership on group accounting, ensuring that robust and compliant accounting arrangements for all wholly owned subsidiaries, group entities, and joint ventures are fully embedded within the organisations financial management framework.
This includes taking lead responsibility for the preparation, consolidation, and analysis of group accounts, ensuring timely and accurate group reporting, alignment with statutory and regulatory requirements, and the development of high quality consolidated financial information to support decision making at Executive and Board level. The post holder will be expected to demonstrate significant experience in complex group consolidation processes, elimination adjustments, intercompany accounting, and joint venture financial reporting, acting as the organisations subject matter expert in these areas.
Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Financial Management, the post holder will work closely with Executive Directors and senior department managers, offering high level and complex financial leadership, challenge, and advice across a wide range of issues. This will include shaping and influencing financial strategy, improving financial governance, and driving high standards of financial stewardship across Corporate Services and group structures.
As a key member of the Senior Finance Leadership Team, the role will play a pivotal part in leading departmental and cross organisational change programmes. Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
Leading and enhancing group accounting capability across the department.
Driving improvements in joint venture reporting and consolidation processes.
Working alongside the other Senior Finance Manager to develop and deliver specialist training programmes, particularly in areas such as group accounting, joint venture financial governance, and education funding.
Supporting the development of trainees and future finance leaders within the department.
Collaborating with the Business Analytics and Reporting Lead to support complex cross cutting CIP schemes, costing programmes, and transformational initiatives.
The post holder will also contribute to the delivery of a responsive and high quality financial management service across the Trust. They will take ultimate responsibility for the financial performance, governance, and stewardship of Corporate Services departments including Education, EPIC, Estates and Facilities alongside oversight of group accounting and the Transformational CIP portfolio. The role is integral to ensuring that the organisation maintains a strong financial position, supports strategic decision making, and meets the evolving needs of a complex and growing group structure.
The postholder will be expected to manage and lead the financial management team of seven to eight staff for the respective group of departments detailed above within the financial management portfolio.
This requires the ability:
To lead on all aspects of the financial management of the specific directorate and set of corporate departments ensuring financial viability and to work with directors and managers to assess and improve the profitability and productivity.
To provide financial information as required to the Finance Department within agreed timescales and deadlines, ensuring a high quality professional finance service is provided to all users.
To deliver robust forecasting information for the Directorate based on discussions with service leads, Human Resources and informed assumptions. Ensure risks and opportunities are quantified and clearly communicated to the Directorate and the Finance Department. Ensure the forecasting for the Corporate Services functions has been adequately challenged and any conversations or engagement with the Executive Directors and department manager has been informed.
To work with directors and managers to identify reasons for variations in financial performance and identify actions or mitigations to address the variation.
To work with the department Senior Teams to identify cost reduction and efficiency programmes as part of the Trusts annual efficiency requirement. This will include monitoring progress and remedial action where necessary.
To influence managers using Financial Management information to maximise the use of resources effectively.
Deputise for the Head of Financial Management as required.
Date of Job Description: September 2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
The post holder will be responsible for delivering comprehensive and strategic financial management support to Corporate Services departments and the Transformational Programme Board. A core focus of the role will be providing senior leadership on group accounting, ensuring that robust and compliant accounting arrangements for all wholly owned subsidiaries, group entities, and joint ventures are fully embedded within the organisations financial management framework.
This includes taking lead responsibility for the preparation, consolidation, and analysis of group accounts, ensuring timely and accurate group reporting, alignment with statutory and regulatory requirements, and the development of high quality consolidated financial information to support decision making at Executive and Board level. The post holder will be expected to demonstrate significant experience in complex group consolidation processes, elimination adjustments, intercompany accounting, and joint venture financial reporting, acting as the organisations subject matter expert in these areas.
Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Financial Management, the post holder will work closely with Executive Directors and senior department managers, offering high level and complex financial leadership, challenge, and advice across a wide range of issues. This will include shaping and influencing financial strategy, improving financial governance, and driving high standards of financial stewardship across Corporate Services and group structures.
As a key member of the Senior Finance Leadership Team, the role will play a pivotal part in leading departmental and cross organisational change programmes. Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
Leading and enhancing group accounting capability across the department.
Driving improvements in joint venture reporting and consolidation processes.
Working alongside the other Senior Finance Manager to develop and deliver specialist training programmes, particularly in areas such as group accounting, joint venture financial governance, and education funding.
Supporting the development of trainees and future finance leaders within the department.
Collaborating with the Business Analytics and Reporting Lead to support complex cross cutting CIP schemes, costing programmes, and transformational initiatives.
The post holder will also contribute to the delivery of a responsive and high quality financial management service across the Trust. They will take ultimate responsibility for the financial performance, governance, and stewardship of Corporate Services departments including Education, EPIC, Estates and Facilities alongside oversight of group accounting and the Transformational CIP portfolio. The role is integral to ensuring that the organisation maintains a strong financial position, supports strategic decision making, and meets the evolving needs of a complex and growing group structure.
The postholder will be expected to manage and lead the financial management team of seven to eight staff for the respective group of departments detailed above within the financial management portfolio.
This requires the ability:
To lead on all aspects of the financial management of the specific directorate and set of corporate departments ensuring financial viability and to work with directors and managers to assess and improve the profitability and productivity.
To provide financial information as required to the Finance Department within agreed timescales and deadlines, ensuring a high quality professional finance service is provided to all users.
To deliver robust forecasting information for the Directorate based on discussions with service leads, Human Resources and informed assumptions. Ensure risks and opportunities are quantified and clearly communicated to the Directorate and the Finance Department. Ensure the forecasting for the Corporate Services functions has been adequately challenged and any conversations or engagement with the Executive Directors and department manager has been informed.
To work with directors and managers to identify reasons for variations in financial performance and identify actions or mitigations to address the variation.
To work with the department Senior Teams to identify cost reduction and efficiency programmes as part of the Trusts annual efficiency requirement. This will include monitoring progress and remedial action where necessary.
To influence managers using Financial Management information to maximise the use of resources effectively.
Deputise for the Head of Financial Management as required.
Date of Job Description: September 2026
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 O Levels/GCSEs including Mathematics and English
- Educated CCAB qualified accountant or at least 5 years experience working at a senior level within a finance department.
- Evidence of having maintained appropriate CPD since qualification
- Demonstrate understanding of specialist UK and EU financial legislation
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification e.g., MBA, MScActed as a coach or mentorTrained to use recognised Quality Improvement tools and techniques
Experience
Essential
- Strong staff management and leadership skills. Ability to lead and motivate a team. Team player working with diverse range of disciplines and cultures.Substantial experience of working in NHS finance (or equivalent complex organisation), including knowledge, experience and expertise in a senior finance management role.Extensive experience of working with non-finance professionals.Experience of complex financial forecasting
Desirable
- Experience of Business Case production and capital investment planning.Experience of costing of bids.Experience of streamlining processes including the use of robotics.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to work independently and make informed decisions based on judgement.Excellent verbal, written, numeric reasoning and presentation skills.Excellent influencing, negotiation and communications skills.Ability to learn and adapt behaviours quickly. Ability to motivate and influence others in achieving joint objectives.Proficient in the use of IT systems and Microsoft Office software including excellent spreadsheet skills.Political awareness and sensitivity. Able to turn good ideas into action to deliver results.Excellent at prioritising own work and that of their team
- Planning and Organising
- Ability to use initiative to work alone or as part of a team Able to prioritise and to work to strict timescales Methodical and well organised Professional approach to work and acts with integrity Ability to support and motivate others. Ability to demonstrate resilience.Ability to manage conflicting priorities and balance corporate and directorate demands
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 O Levels/GCSEs including Mathematics and English
- Educated CCAB qualified accountant or at least 5 years experience working at a senior level within a finance department.
- Evidence of having maintained appropriate CPD since qualification
- Demonstrate understanding of specialist UK and EU financial legislation
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification e.g., MBA, MScActed as a coach or mentorTrained to use recognised Quality Improvement tools and techniques
Experience
Essential
- Strong staff management and leadership skills. Ability to lead and motivate a team. Team player working with diverse range of disciplines and cultures.Substantial experience of working in NHS finance (or equivalent complex organisation), including knowledge, experience and expertise in a senior finance management role.Extensive experience of working with non-finance professionals.Experience of complex financial forecasting
Desirable
- Experience of Business Case production and capital investment planning.Experience of costing of bids.Experience of streamlining processes including the use of robotics.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to work independently and make informed decisions based on judgement.Excellent verbal, written, numeric reasoning and presentation skills.Excellent influencing, negotiation and communications skills.Ability to learn and adapt behaviours quickly. Ability to motivate and influence others in achieving joint objectives.Proficient in the use of IT systems and Microsoft Office software including excellent spreadsheet skills.Political awareness and sensitivity. Able to turn good ideas into action to deliver results.Excellent at prioritising own work and that of their team
- Planning and Organising
- Ability to use initiative to work alone or as part of a team Able to prioritise and to work to strict timescales Methodical and well organised Professional approach to work and acts with integrity Ability to support and motivate others. Ability to demonstrate resilience.Ability to manage conflicting priorities and balance corporate and directorate demands
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
