UK Health Security Agency

Deputy Director - Finance Business Partnering

The closing date is 23 April 2026

Job summary

As Deputy Director Finance Business Partnering you will be responsible for providing timely, accurate and clearly communicated financial management and analysis to senior stakeholders across UKHSA.

You will build and maintain strong, collaborative, and influential working relations providing strategic advice and analysis on financial impact, performance and risk to senior stakeholders. These relationships will set the correct financial tone at the top of the operation and ensure finance is at the heart of all key decision making through oversight, support and challenge. They will focus on protecting value, driving value, and adding value across the organisation.

As part of this you will lead on the communication of financial data and reports including localised monthly variance reports to assigned directorate groups contributing to the strategic direction of the wider business area. You will also be responsible for leading on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and analysis. In addition to this you will be responsible for supporting and challenging investment appraisals and business cases with financial analysis whilst supporting commercial activity within costings, bespoke reports to grant awarding bodies or ad-hoc analysis.

Main duties of the job

The role responsibilities and duties will include:

  • Responsible for overseeing and delivering the UKHSA Investment Appraisal and Assurance system.
  • As a senior leader within the Finance, Performance, Risk and Assurance Directorate you will pro-actively participate in SLT, propose and champion changes to deliver our efficiency targets over SR period and champion GFF best practice throughout your role.
  • Provide strategic support to the business planning process for the Agency working across the Agency to develop robust plans that are aligned with organisational priorities.
  • Responsible for providing timely, accurate and clearly communicated financial management and analysis to the executive to drive efficiency and effectiveness through value added insight and advice.
  • Providing strategic advice and analysis on financial impact, performance and risk to senior stakeholders and through this, contributing to strategic direction of the wider business area. This includes supporting accurate forecasting and leveraging a strong understanding of the business.
  • Championing financial assurance, governance and compliance across the business area and in the finance community. To include promoting stewardship of the assets of the operation and compliance with financial control.
  • Acting as a catalyst for change to improve financial processes, innovation and value for money, ensuring advances in data and analytics are fully utilised to support financial reporting.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£81,000 to £117,800 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

919-JR-300012-EXT

Job locations

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London

London

E14 4PU


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role will also include:

  • Working closely with leads on major projects and programmes to ensure sound business cases are developed with strong commercial focus, options appraisal, realistic benefits and risk management with appropriate governance.
  • Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative and influential relationships with budget holders, and more widely across the business with senior stakeholders and externally including senior managers and input to the NHS, Local Authorities, other government departments, HMT and Cabinet Office.
  • Working with peers to enable delivery of departmental strategic objectives championing the use and value of data and analytics, embedding this as part of Senior level reporting. Keeping up to date with available tools and development in data and analytics, adapting to changes in technology to make the best use of available data and tools at all levels within Finance.

The role sits within the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Directorate, working directly to the SCS2 CFO. The post holder will lead the Business Partnering team, directly line managing up to 6 G6 staff. The CFO directorate sits within the Chief Operating Officer Group, one of 4 DG level areas within the agency.

This role will require significant management, engagement, and influencing of the following key stakeholders:Internal:

UKHSA Executive Committee. UKHSA Director General, Chief Operating Officer. Director Finance, Performance, Risk & Assurance. Finance Performance, Risk and Assurance directorate Senior Leadership Team (SLT). All senior managers; including Heads of Departments and Budget Holders. All senior finance staff.

External:

Finance Directors and other senior finance staff of NHS bodies. Finance and other staff within the Department of Health and Social Care and Devolved Administrations. Finance and other staff within Local Authorities, NHS England, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office.

As one of its most senior leaders, you will also be a visible role model for the Civil Service Leadership behaviours We expect all our senior leaders to be:

Inspiring about our work and its future. Confident in our engagement with others. Empowering to allow our teams to deliver.

ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).

If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead behaviour of Leadership will be conducted.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Should candidates wish to discuss the role further, please contact James Doyle at FPRAprivateoffice@ukhsa.gov.uk

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Due to panel availability, Interviews will be held on 6th May, please note this date is fixed.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the following behaviours:

Leadership Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Security Clearance Level Requirement:

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is: Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).For this role you will also need to meet: Security Clearance (SC).

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton).Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms

Please note: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) group, where this role sits, is undergoing organisational change over the next 1218 months. While the process is still in the planning stage, some roles may be affected by future restructuring. We are committed to keeping candidates informed and will share updates as they become available.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role will also include:

  • Working closely with leads on major projects and programmes to ensure sound business cases are developed with strong commercial focus, options appraisal, realistic benefits and risk management with appropriate governance.
  • Developing and maintaining strong, collaborative and influential relationships with budget holders, and more widely across the business with senior stakeholders and externally including senior managers and input to the NHS, Local Authorities, other government departments, HMT and Cabinet Office.
  • Working with peers to enable delivery of departmental strategic objectives championing the use and value of data and analytics, embedding this as part of Senior level reporting. Keeping up to date with available tools and development in data and analytics, adapting to changes in technology to make the best use of available data and tools at all levels within Finance.

The role sits within the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Directorate, working directly to the SCS2 CFO. The post holder will lead the Business Partnering team, directly line managing up to 6 G6 staff. The CFO directorate sits within the Chief Operating Officer Group, one of 4 DG level areas within the agency.

This role will require significant management, engagement, and influencing of the following key stakeholders:Internal:

UKHSA Executive Committee. UKHSA Director General, Chief Operating Officer. Director Finance, Performance, Risk & Assurance. Finance Performance, Risk and Assurance directorate Senior Leadership Team (SLT). All senior managers; including Heads of Departments and Budget Holders. All senior finance staff.

External:

Finance Directors and other senior finance staff of NHS bodies. Finance and other staff within the Department of Health and Social Care and Devolved Administrations. Finance and other staff within Local Authorities, NHS England, HM Treasury and Cabinet Office.

As one of its most senior leaders, you will also be a visible role model for the Civil Service Leadership behaviours We expect all our senior leaders to be:

Inspiring about our work and its future. Confident in our engagement with others. Empowering to allow our teams to deliver.

ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role against the essential criteria listed.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).

If we receive a large number of applications an initial sift against the lead behaviour of Leadership will be conducted.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Should candidates wish to discuss the role further, please contact James Doyle at FPRAprivateoffice@ukhsa.gov.uk

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Due to panel availability, Interviews will be held on 6th May, please note this date is fixed.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the following behaviours:

Leadership Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Security Clearance Level Requirement:

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is: Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).For this role you will also need to meet: Security Clearance (SC).

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London) or at one of our scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton and Chilton).Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms

Please note: The Chief Operating Officer (COO) group, where this role sits, is undergoing organisational change over the next 1218 months. While the process is still in the planning stage, some roles may be affected by future restructuring. We are committed to keeping candidates informed and will share updates as they become available.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • People focussed leader. Substantial experience of leading, motivating and developing a diverse team of finance professionals.
  • Delivery focus at a strategic level. Experience of providing strategic advice and analysis on financial impact, performance and risk to senior stakeholders, ensuring financial data and figures are accurate and that complex budgeting / financial rules are complied with.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Relationship building and stakeholder management. Ability to influence and make positive impacts at the highest levels through excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including by building and maintaining credible networks and relationships, often at pace, under pressure and in ambiguous circumstances.
  • Expert communicator. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to put complex financial issues into layman's terms for non-specialist audiences.

Behaviour

Essential

  • Collaborative team player with whole agency outlook. Ability to collaborate and seek constructive outcomes in discussions, balancing a firm stance with a willingness to compromise when beneficial to the operation.

Qualifications

Essential

  • A qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • People focussed leader. Substantial experience of leading, motivating and developing a diverse team of finance professionals.
  • Delivery focus at a strategic level. Experience of providing strategic advice and analysis on financial impact, performance and risk to senior stakeholders, ensuring financial data and figures are accurate and that complex budgeting / financial rules are complied with.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

  • Relationship building and stakeholder management. Ability to influence and make positive impacts at the highest levels through excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including by building and maintaining credible networks and relationships, often at pace, under pressure and in ambiguous circumstances.
  • Expert communicator. Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to put complex financial issues into layman's terms for non-specialist audiences.

Behaviour

Essential

  • Collaborative team player with whole agency outlook. Ability to collaborate and seek constructive outcomes in discussions, balancing a firm stance with a willingness to compromise when beneficial to the operation.

Qualifications

Essential

  • A qualified accountant (CCAB or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London

London

E14 4PU


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London

London

E14 4PU


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Director - Finance, Performance, Risk & Assurance

Luke Health

FPRAprivateoffice@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£81,000 to £117,800 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

919-JR-300012-EXT

Job locations

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London

London

E14 4PU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)