Deputy Director of Finance – Operations
Closing date: 21 June 2026
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an exceptional Deputy Director of Finance – Operations to join its newly established senior finance leadership structure at a pivotal stage. Reporting to the Director of Operational Finance, this role is a key member of the Finance Leadership Team with responsibility for Financial Management, Accounting, Payroll, Pensions, Treasury and Charitable Funds.
The role provides professional leadership across the full financial lifecycle, ensuring strong governance, regulatory compliance, high‑quality operational finance support and long‑term sustainability. It plays a central part in the Trust’s financial recovery and transformation, strengthening operational finance and supporting the development of a modern, high‑performing finance function.
Responsibilities
* Provide senior leadership across Financial Management and Financial Services, ensuring strong governance, assurance and financial stewardship.
* Lead the continued development of the Trust’s financial management framework, ensuring robust financial planning, forecasting, reporting and operational support aligned with NHS and organisational priorities.
* Oversee the production of high‑quality monthly financial reporting, including forecasting, risk analysis, recovery actions and linkage between finance, workforce, activity and operational performance.
* Support delivery of the Trust’s financial recovery plans and Cost Improvement Programme.
* Provide leadership and accountability across Financial Accounting, Treasury Management, Capital Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Pensions and Charitable Funds.
* Lead the timely production of statutory accounts, NHS returns and regulatory submissions, maintaining strong relationships with auditors, regulators and system partners.
* Support major strategic programmes, including the New Hospital Programme.
* Lead strategic reviews of transactional and back‑office services.
* Act as a senior professional advisor to leaders, supporting effective financial decision‑making.
* Lead, coach and develop multidisciplinary finance teams, creating a positive, collaborative and improvement‑focused culture.
* Deputise for the Chief Finance Officer and Director of Operational Finance as required.
Person Specification
Experience
* CCAB‑qualified accountant with current professional membership.
* Significant senior finance experience within a complex NHS organisation, ideally within an acute provider setting.
* Experience spanning both Financial Management and Financial Services functions.
* Strong operational understanding of NHS financial governance, statutory reporting and regulatory requirements.
* Experience of leading annual accounts, PFR returns and complex technical accounting processes.
* Demonstrable experience of leading teams and delivering service improvement within finance functions.
* Experience supporting major capital programmes or organisational transformation initiatives.
* Experience of finance systems development, automation or digital transformation.
* Experience of collaborative working across systems or shared service environments.
* Leadership potential and ambition to progress towards Director‑level operational finance leadership roles in the future.
Skills
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior level.
* Strong analytical, leadership and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
Values and Behaviours
* Calm, credible and supportive leadership.
* Strong technical judgement combined with pragmatism.
* Commitment to developing people and building positive team cultures.
* Curiosity, openness and a willingness to modernise and improve.
* Resilience, professionalism and delivery focus under pressure.
* Collaborative and values‑driven leadership.
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.
Address
Infinity House, Crewe / Working from Home
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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