Go back South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Deputy Chief Finance Officer
The closing date is 19 April 2026
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust are working in close collaboration and now have a joint Board and operational management arrangements. This post is a new post in what will be an integrated finance function providing services across both organisations.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Chief Finance Officer, who steps into the role following an outstanding 18-year journey within the organisation. This promotion is a powerful reflection of our commitment to developing talent, nurturing leadership, and building a culture where people can truly thrive.
As we celebrate this milestone, we are now seeking an exceptional Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO) to join us at a pivotal moment in our evolution.
This is far more than a traditional finance role. It is a rare opportunity to work alongside a highly experienced CFO with deep organisational knowledge, gaining invaluable exposure while playing a central role in shaping the future of healthcare across our system.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO) is a pivotal member of the Chief Finance Officers Senior Leadership Team, supporting the delivery of the organisations aims and improvements in quality, efficiency and effectiveness, combining strategic leadership with a hands‑on approach to financial management, ensuring grip, pace and accuracy across day‑to‑day operations. The Deputy Chief Finance Officer is responsible for the operational day to day management of the finance function and deputises for the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) as and when required.
The DCFO will undertake all duties in line with the requirements of the role to support the CFO in the delivery of:
* Strategic financial leadership and planning
* Financial performance, reporting and governance
* Driving efficiency and transformation programmes
* Building strong partnerships across the system
* Leading and developing the finance function
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further.
We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.
Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are 'Trusted to provide safe, effective and compassionate care'. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn't matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.
Job responsibilities
You will oversee financial controls, reporting, budgeting, and compliance to ensure efficient resource management and adherence to NHS regulations. You will lead on budget setting, identifying cost saving opportunities, and supporting service transformation to enhance financial efficiency while maintaining quality.
This is a highly visible leadership role requiring a Deputy CFO who is not only strategic in outlook but also comfortable operating at pace in the detail, maintaining close oversight of day‑to‑day financial management and performance.
Main duties of the job
The Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO) is a pivotal senior leadership role, working in close partnership with the Chief Finance Officer to deliver a high‑quality, forward‑looking finance function that underpins the delivery of safe, effective and cost‑efficient patient care.
The postholder provides strategic and operational financial leadership across both Trusts, ensuring long‑term financial sustainability, robust governance, and full alignment between financial strategy and organisational priorities.
Key responsibilities include:
* Financial management and control maintaining close, hands‑on oversight of core accounting processes including reporting, controls, and financial performance, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and strong financial grip
* Strategic financial leadership and planning shaping long‑ and medium‑term financial strategies, investment plans and resource allocation to support organisational objectives
* Financial governance and control ensuring strong financial systems, statutory reporting, regulatory compliance and effective relationships with internal and external audit
* Performance, insight and decision support leading forecasting, financial analysis and reporting with direct engagement in the underlying financial data and processes, ensuring robust and reliable outputs and the development of innovative tools to support informed decision‑making across clinical and operational teams
* Financial management and risk oversight overseeing financial risk, investment appraisal, and the delivery of efficiency and savings programmes
* Value and transformation driving value‑based healthcare, ensuring financial resources are aligned to clinical outcomes and patient experience
* Corporate and system leadership contributing to wider organisational strategy, supporting corporate decision‑making, and representing the Trusts within ICAs and external forums
* Executive support and deputisation acting on behalf of the CFO when required, including representation at Board and senior committees
In addition, the DCFO plays a key role in ensuring financial objectives are clearly defined, aligned to Board‑approved strategy and compliant with NHS England requirements, while building strong partnerships with external advisers and system stakeholders.
Overall, the role is instrumental in embedding financial expertise at the heart of organisational leadership, ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver sustainable, high‑quality healthcare services for the communities served.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Educated to Masters level or equivalent or equivalent experience of working at a senior level in a complex organisation in a Healthcare Setting (e.g. NHS Trust, NHS commissioning, NHS England and Improvement)
* Professionally qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA, ACA)
* Significant, substantial and extensive post qualification experience at a senior level in a complex healthcare organisation (e.g. NHS Trust, Commissioner, Regulator)
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.
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
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