MRI Director of Finance
The closing date is 15 June 2026
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is seeking an exceptional Director of Finance for Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI), one of the NHS's most significant and complex acute hospitals.
Reporting to the Clinical Group Chief Executive, with professional accountability to the Group CFO, this is a high‑profile executive role within one of the UK's largest provider trusts.
MRI provides major trauma services across Greater Manchester and is a hub of internationally recognised clinical and research expertise. It serves a diverse and complex urban population, delivering major tertiary services, large‑scale emergency care and complex operational activity alongside world‑class research.
Main duties of the job
* Provide strategic financial leadership as a key member of the MRI Senior Leadership Team.
* Lead the development and delivery of robust financial recovery and sustainability plans.
* Support the organisation's transformation agenda, including major redevelopment and service redesign programmes.
* Work closely with operational and clinical leaders to strengthen financial accountability and operational decision‑making.
* Provide high‑quality financial analysis, forecasting and strategic insight to support organisational performance and long‑term planning.
* Drive financial improvement, productivity and efficiency initiatives across MRI services.
* Support the development of business cases, transformation programmes and investment planning.
* Lead and develop the embedded finance function, creating a high‑performing, collaborative and operationally engaged finance team.
* Contribute actively to wider MFT financial leadership and organisational priorities.
* Act as a visible and credible senior leader across the organisation, contributing beyond traditional finance responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Fully qualified accountant with a recognised chartered accountancy body.
* Unblemished record with the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) / Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
* Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.
* Evidence of recent and relevant continuous professional development.
* Formal management or leadership qualification.
* Additional post‑graduate degree or equivalent experience.
Skills/Abilities
* Ability to effectively present highly complex financial information to large groups, in particular, those staff not from a finance background.
* Ability to work effectively with clinical colleagues and teams in a collaborative manner.
* Ability to deal positively and promptly with colleagues' concerns and personal problems, challenge colleagues on any inappropriate behaviours or poor performance and investigate and deal with complaints as required.
* A high level of political awareness.
Experience
* Extensive senior level leadership and managerial experience within a finance function in an acute NHS Trust (or comparatively large and complex multi‑disciplinary organisation).
* A successful track record in a senior finance role delivering challenging financial plans within a complex environment, preferably in an acute NHS Trust.
* Experience of developing and operating the systems, processes and procedures which are appropriate to ensure the smooth operation of a finance function of an acute NHS Trust.
* A clear appreciation of the context of acute healthcare provision within the modern NHS and understanding of NHS financial frameworks.
* Extensive knowledge of clinical governance systems and (financial) risk management.
* Experience of developing and implementing financial strategy and business planning, supported by appropriate financial modelling and scenario planning.
* A successful track record of consistent delivery against NHS financial expectations and sustainable bottom‑line delivery through sound financial and operational management.
* Highly motivated, hard‑working and self‑confident individual with a drive to deliver and commitment to excellence across all areas. Inspires others and leads by example.
* A strong understanding of how MFT fits into the wider health and social care system.
* Evidence of leading or implementing high‑profile initiatives underpinned by the national research and innovation agenda.
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.
£100,000 to £200,000 a year, pro rata
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