Job summary
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Operational Finance to take on a senior leadership role at a pivotal point in the Trust's journey.Reporting directly to Claire Liddy, Chief Finance Officer, this role sits at the intersection of financial recovery, operational performance and long-term transformation. The postholder is responsible for operational finance, contracting, procurement, payroll and Trust charity functions, acting as a key partner to the executive team, clinical leaders and operational management.Like many NHS organisations, the Trust is operating in a challenging financial and operational environment, with significant system pressure, demanding recovery expectations and the need for strong grip, transparency and delivery. This role therefore requires a leader who is comfortable operating in complexity, able to "crank the handle" on performance while also shaping a better future.This is a rare opportunity. Mid Cheshire is progressing plans for a £1.5bn new Leighton Hospital - a once-in-a-generation investment and an ambition to deliver one of the UK's first truly smart, digitally enabled hospitals. Finance will be central to making this vision real.
Main duties of the job
Our strategy recognises the reality of financial constraint and rising demand, while committing to bold change. Key priorities include:
- Building back healthier, including delivery of a new, net-zero carbon hospital.
- Embracing digital technology, to transform how care and support services are delivered
- Inspiring the workplace, developing capable, engaged and empowered leaders
- Championing partnerships, working differently across the system to deliver value
- Finance is central to all of this. We are looking for leaders who can be honest about the challenge, credible in recovery, and excited by transformation.
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who demonstrate:o Realism, resilience and a positive mindseto Calm, confident leadership under pressureo A delivery-focused approach combined with curiosity and innovationo Commitment to openness, collaboration and developing others
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.
Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Director of Operational Finance, you will:
- Provide strong, visible leadership of the Trusts operational finance function, ensuring disciplined financial management, clear accountability and reliable reporting.
- Lead the Trusts financial performance framework, enabling early identification of risk, robust recovery actions and transparent reporting to the Executive Team and Board.
- Work closely with clinical and operational leaders to support financial recovery, productivity and cost improvement, balancing immediate pressures with sustainable solutions.
- Lead on contracting, income and commercial strategy, navigating a complex system environment while maximising income and managing financial risk.
- Play a central role in the financial leadership of the New Hospital Programme, ensuring affordability, phasing, benefits realisation and long-term sustainability are embedded from the outset.
- Champion the development of a modern, digitally enabled finance function, including automation, intelligent reporting and innovative use of data.
- Provide expert advice to the Chief Finance Officer, Executive Team, Board and Committees, supporting effective decision-making, governance and assurance.
- Oversee financial governance, internal control, audit and the annual accounts process, maintaining credibility with regulators and external auditors.
- Lead, develop and inspire large finance teams, building a culture that is optimistic, delivery-focused and resilient under pressure.
- Represent the Trust across the ICS and wider system, contributing constructively to collective solutions.
This is not an easy role but it is a career-defining one.
If you are motivated by challenge, excited by transformation, and want to help shape both financial recovery and the future of NHS care, we would welcome your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Director of Operational Finance, you will:
- Provide strong, visible leadership of the Trusts operational finance function, ensuring disciplined financial management, clear accountability and reliable reporting.
- Lead the Trusts financial performance framework, enabling early identification of risk, robust recovery actions and transparent reporting to the Executive Team and Board.
- Work closely with clinical and operational leaders to support financial recovery, productivity and cost improvement, balancing immediate pressures with sustainable solutions.
- Lead on contracting, income and commercial strategy, navigating a complex system environment while maximising income and managing financial risk.
- Play a central role in the financial leadership of the New Hospital Programme, ensuring affordability, phasing, benefits realisation and long-term sustainability are embedded from the outset.
- Champion the development of a modern, digitally enabled finance function, including automation, intelligent reporting and innovative use of data.
- Provide expert advice to the Chief Finance Officer, Executive Team, Board and Committees, supporting effective decision-making, governance and assurance.
- Oversee financial governance, internal control, audit and the annual accounts process, maintaining credibility with regulators and external auditors.
- Lead, develop and inspire large finance teams, building a culture that is optimistic, delivery-focused and resilient under pressure.
- Represent the Trust across the ICS and wider system, contributing constructively to collective solutions.
This is not an easy role but it is a career-defining one.
If you are motivated by challenge, excited by transformation, and want to help shape both financial recovery and the future of NHS care, we would welcome your application.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- In depth experience of operating at senior management level, including Board level working within a Foundation Trust or equivalent
- Extensive experience of successful partnership working with other healthcare and partner agencies the NHS or sector with similar IM&T requirements (population records, information and systems).
- Sound financial management experience and the ability to balance competing service and financial priorities
- Experience of developing board level strategies for financial, management, improvement & recovery
- Significant experience of successfully leading and delivering organisational change
- Experience of working with different professional groups and with staff at different levels of seniority.
- Experience of the private sector
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional accountancy qualification
- Diploma in Management Studies / NVQ level 4 in Management or equivalent management qualification or experience.
- Clear evidence of continuous personal, professional and managerial development
Desirable
- Master's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Detailed awareness and understanding of current and likely future NHS issues
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS
- Extensive knowledge of commissioning, budgeting and pricing arrangements in the NHS.
- Excellent negotiating and influencing skills with the ability to motivate and engage individuals and teams.
- Knowledge of corporate governance systems and requirements.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communications skills - both verbal and written.
- Proven record of leading complex, change and modernisation of programmes aimed at improving organisational performance and efficiency. Track record of driving up service standards and efficiencies, and value for money.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- In depth experience of operating at senior management level, including Board level working within a Foundation Trust or equivalent
- Extensive experience of successful partnership working with other healthcare and partner agencies the NHS or sector with similar IM&T requirements (population records, information and systems).
- Sound financial management experience and the ability to balance competing service and financial priorities
- Experience of developing board level strategies for financial, management, improvement & recovery
- Significant experience of successfully leading and delivering organisational change
- Experience of working with different professional groups and with staff at different levels of seniority.
- Experience of the private sector
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised professional accountancy qualification
- Diploma in Management Studies / NVQ level 4 in Management or equivalent management qualification or experience.
- Clear evidence of continuous personal, professional and managerial development
Desirable
- Master's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Detailed awareness and understanding of current and likely future NHS issues
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS
- Extensive knowledge of commissioning, budgeting and pricing arrangements in the NHS.
- Excellent negotiating and influencing skills with the ability to motivate and engage individuals and teams.
- Knowledge of corporate governance systems and requirements.
- Highly developed interpersonal and communications skills - both verbal and written.
- Proven record of leading complex, change and modernisation of programmes aimed at improving organisational performance and efficiency. Track record of driving up service standards and efficiencies, and value for money.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
