Head of Costing

Are you a skilled financial professional with a passion for costing and reporting? Do you have experience in a large organisation, preferably within the NHS, and are looking to make a significant impact? The OUH are looking to recruit an experienced Costing Accountant to lead the Costing Team. If you are ready to take on this challenging and rewarding role, apply now and become a vital part of our finance team.

The post involves leading the Costing Team to meet the NHS England Future of Costing requirements, the Lord Carter Review, and other costing developments; embedding monthly Service Line Reporting (SLR) and internal trading; and producing timely statutory and non-statutory returns for internal and external stakeholders.

1. To lead and manage the work of the costing team in meeting the challenge of the NHS England (NHSE) Future of Costing requirements, the Lord Carter Review (Model Hospital and GIRFT), and other costing developments as they evolve/are introduced.
2. To lead the embedding of the monthly Service Line Reporting (SLR) and internal trading.
3. To lead and manage the preparation of timely and accurate statutory and non-statutory returns for both internal and external stakeholders.
4. To oversee the annual National Cost Collection and Education & Training returns to national deadlines.
5. To develop and maintain the Patient Level Costing model (PLICS) as a source of detailed financial information to underpin strategic direction.
6. To participate in and analyse cost benchmarking data to identify potential savings underpinning the CIP programme, utilising NHSE PLICs Portal and National Cost Collection cost index.
7. To be an expert resource within the Trust for all NHS Costing guidance and related issues.
8. To read, interpret and apply complex NHS Costing guidance, evaluating guidance and making independent judgements on its impact on the Trust.
9. To understand current and future NHS Costing policy and implement new guidance as released, keeping senior stakeholders informed of changes.
10. To provide briefings on costing guidance to directors, clinical and divisional staff, contracting and finance colleagues.
11. To provide expert costing guidance and support to clinical divisions.
12. To oversee the delivery of the annual National Cost Collection return and the Education & Training return when required by NHSE.
13. To represent the Finance Directorate on the Trust's Data Quality Group to drive improvements in patient data recording in EPR and other systems.
14. To recruit, appraise and set objectives for staff within the Costing team and identify training and development needs.
15. To present financial training sessions for finance and non-finance staff to embed the costing agenda.
16. To work cooperatively and collaboratively with senior staff across the organisation.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals: the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. We are committed to Delivering Compassionate Excellence, with values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

Date posted: 10 September 2025

Band: 8b

Salary: £64,455 to £74,896 per annum / pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Location: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, OUH Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG

Qualifications

• Fully Qualified Accountant (CCAB or other equivalent)
• Degree or equivalent relevant qualification

Desirable qualifications

• Post graduate level management qualification

Experience / Skills

• Essential: Over ten years' experience in a finance department of a large organisation, preferably within the NHS
• Expert knowledge of NHS costing guidance, national cost collection costs and education & training costs
• Expert knowledge of NHSE Future of Costing Programme, including NHS Federated Data Platform
• Expert knowledge of HFMA Costing Standards
• Advanced computer literacy (QlikView, PowerBI, Microsoft Office)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting complex information to non-financial managers

Desirable experience

• SQL scripting and Oracle financials
• Working knowledge of NHSPS tariff

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975; a Disclosure check will be necessary.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require skilled worker sponsorship will be considered. For information, refer to UK Visas and Immigration guidance. Obvious links have been omitted in this refined description.

Employer: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: OUH Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2PG

Employer website: ouh.nhs.uk