Job summary
The Region's only Finance team dedicated to Clinical Research in the NHS is recruiting.
This is a rare opportunity for a highly motivated and flexible professional to join our team as a Directorate Accountant.
Newcastle Hospitals has a strong reputation worldwide for leading groundbreaking research in healthcare with a vast portfolio of studies, we are in the top three commercial research study sites in the country. We manage circa £40 million of Clinical Research funding per annum across a complete spectrum of clinical specialties including research into the use of AI and cell therapy.
We are unique in the country, having large infrastructure grants for the Biomedical Research Centre, Clinical Research Facility, Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre, hosting the Local Clinical Research Network, as well as a having significant portfolio of NIHR funded research programmes.
The Directorate Accountant will lead in the day-to-day management of the Research Finance Team, monthly reporting, and ensuring contractual requirements for all research agreements are met. This is a pivotal role in the organisation to support research with the postholder working closely with colleagues, both in finance and those working in research across the region.
The role is based at Regent Point in Gosforth. We offer agile and flexible working to support work-life balance and provide a supportive and inclusive team environment with opportunities to thrive and develop.
Main duties of the job
The successful postholder will support the Research Finance Manager in all aspects of Research Finance:
- Lead and manage a team of 7 finance staff
- Month end and year end reporting
- Preparation of forecasts, budgets, and annual returns
- Developing strong relationships with budget holders, providing advice and support on all finance aspects including identification of any risk
- Liaison with external bodies
- Local Clinical Research Network / Regional Research Delivery Network reporting
- Quarterly and annual reporting on infrastructure grants and research grants
- Process improvement
- Support to strategic work
- Interview Date Wednesday 12 November 2025
- 37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
About us
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To deputise for the Finance Manager R&D
- To ensure the provision of a high quality financial management service for all Trust Research and Development income and expenditure
- To work closely with principal investigators and the research management team, providing timely and accurate information and advice to facilitate the effective monitoring and management of Trust led grants and to support the decision making process
- To play a significant role in the formulation of the Trusts annual budget
- To ensure that financial controls are maintained within Corporate Governance guidelines
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To deputise for the Finance Manager R&D
- To ensure the provision of a high quality financial management service for all Trust Research and Development income and expenditure
- To work closely with principal investigators and the research management team, providing timely and accurate information and advice to facilitate the effective monitoring and management of Trust led grants and to support the decision making process
- To play a significant role in the formulation of the Trusts annual budget
- To ensure that financial controls are maintained within Corporate Governance guidelines
Person Specification
Skill
Essential
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to a range of audiences using a range of different communication methods
- Ability to analyse, interpret and make judgements involving complex facts and situations
- Staff management experience and the ability to plan and organise a range of complex activities and programmes
Desirable
- Presentation skills/experience of public speaking
- Experience of report writing
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in the finance department of a complex organisation
- Demonstrable experience in management accounting, including ability to provide detailed guidance and advice to finance and non-finance managers within own area
- Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent knowledge, experience and expertise
- Evidence of participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Previous NHS finance experience at a senior level
- Previous NHS R&D Finance experience
- An in depth understanding of NHS Research funding streams and the role of NIHR (National Institute for Health Research)
- ECDL or equivalent experience
Attitude / Aptitude
Essential
- Able to work autonomously to agreed objectives
- Ability to make judgements involving highly complex facts and situations
- Flexible approach is required to fulfil the duties of the role
Knowledge
Essential
- Good level of education in a numerate subject
- In depth specialist and practical knowledge of the NHS Finance Regime and NHS Research and Development funding streams in particular
Person Specification
Skill
Essential
- Ability to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to a range of audiences using a range of different communication methods
- Ability to analyse, interpret and make judgements involving complex facts and situations
- Staff management experience and the ability to plan and organise a range of complex activities and programmes
Desirable
- Presentation skills/experience of public speaking
- Experience of report writing
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience in the finance department of a complex organisation
- Demonstrable experience in management accounting, including ability to provide detailed guidance and advice to finance and non-finance managers within own area
- Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent knowledge, experience and expertise
- Evidence of participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Desirable
- Previous NHS finance experience at a senior level
- Previous NHS R&D Finance experience
- An in depth understanding of NHS Research funding streams and the role of NIHR (National Institute for Health Research)
- ECDL or equivalent experience
Attitude / Aptitude
Essential
- Able to work autonomously to agreed objectives
- Ability to make judgements involving highly complex facts and situations
- Flexible approach is required to fulfil the duties of the role
Knowledge
Essential
- Good level of education in a numerate subject
- In depth specialist and practical knowledge of the NHS Finance Regime and NHS Research and Development funding streams in particular
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
