Job summary
Chief Finance Officer
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust are seeking a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) on a permanent basis to provide strategic and operational leadership to the finance, performance, and resources portfolio as a joint appointment.
Reporting to the Managing Director and a key member of the Board, you will play a key role in creating the financial environment underpinning our capabilities to deliver on our vision and ambitions as we deliver our Joint Trust Strategy.
We are seeking a skilled and professional leader with the experience and ambition to drive excellence in financial management, providing visible and transformational professional leadership of financial services and planning, procurement and business intelligence.
We are seeking a proven senior finance leader with significant experience of financial leadership at Board level within the NHS. A track record of delivering financial recovery, performance improvement, and organisational change. Strong skills in strategic financial planning, governance, and risk management. The ability to work effectively in complex partnership environments. Professional accountancy qualifications and active membership of a recognised body.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain the highest standards of probity, leadership, and public service in line with NHS values and Fit and Proper Person requirements.
Stakeholder Panel - 16/03/26
Interview Panel - 17/03/26
Main duties of the job
The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a compassionate and inclusive leader who is responsible for the finance performance of the Trusts, ensuring they are able to provide safe, efficient, and effective patient care in accordance with national and local standards.
The CFO is responsible for the overall management of financial resources, the financial systems to deliver this and is the Board adviser on all matters of financial management and risk, probity and governance.
A key member of the Trust Board's Executive Team, the CFO will provide advice on all matters of financial and charitable fund management, probity and governance. The post holder will lead discussions with commissioners on behalf of the Trust to establish robust contractual arrangements for Trust Services. They will provide effective and professional leadership of the Finance Directorate and associated functions.
About us
Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University 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. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 1st in the country for recommended place to work.
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, inclusive, 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.
As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:
https://forms.office.com/e/ahWY3eAGM2
We appreciate you completing the survey.
Job description
Job responsibilities
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Wye Valley NHS Trust and Worcester Acute Hospital NHS Trust have established a Foundation Group through the creation of a Committee in Common (the Group Strategy Committee). The purpose of the Group is to support the ongoing sustainability the Trusts and to facilitate the rapid development of integrated care in their localities.
SWFT and GEH have a shared, single executive team. The post-holder will therefore be a Board member representing both organisations.
The Chief Finance Officer will report to the Managing Director and will lead the finance, performance and resources for the the Trusts, ensuring robust systems are in place to deliver statutory duties supported by the appropriate governance mechanisms.
Providing effective leadership, acting as a role model for our people and ensuring the development of a culture and core values for the Trusts to continuously improve and innovate are fundamental responsibilities.
As a lead provider in Warwickshire, a key part of the role is supporting integration through the continued development of excellent working relationships with System and Place partners, in particular Primary Care.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Board of Directors
Trust Executive Team and Senior Managers
ICB, NHS England (and successor), Care Quality Commission, Health and Wellbeing Board, Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Local Authority and other local providers including Primary Care, Mental Health and Social Services
Local Voluntary and Representative Groups
KEY RESULT AREAS
Corporate
As an Executive Director for the Trust Board, the CFO will contribute to the formation of the vision and strategic direction, financial viability and relevant operational and delivery plans for the organisation.
Ensure that all key financial management issues and associated risks are appropriately discussed and planned for.
With other members of the corporate team, the post holder will be responsible for developing and maintaining productive relationships with all partners in the local health and social care community. Internally, the post holder will be responsible for working and supporting delivery to ensure the financial aspects of the annual plans of the Trust's clinical divisions and directorates.
Lead financial aspects of the transition to Lead Provider / Accountable Care Organisation
Line management and professional leadership responsibility for areas within the CFO portfolio.
Financial Systems and Controls
- Provide professional leadership to the implementation of the Trust's financial strategy and operational plan, managing and monitoring the deployment of effective financial plans to ensure efficient healthcare delivery.
- Oversee all financial systems and internal controls, including the development and modification of accounting systems when required
- Maintain and develop financial policies, which ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare and, in collaboration with clinical colleagues, ensure effective systems are in place to measure the efficiency of the Trust's performance.
- Ensure that the Trust has comprehensive arrangements for standing orders, standing financial instructions, counter fraud policy and state of internal control and lead the development and implementation of the Trusts financial risk management strategy and implement agreed programmes.
Promote effective use of the Trusts resources and lead cost improvement and best value programmes.
Ensure the effective development and use of service line financial and activity analysis to optimise the contribution of business units and specialities.
Advise the Trusts on its banking and investment needs and manage agreed arrangements.
Work closely with the Chief Strategy Officer to ensure the development and delivery of strategic capital plans supporting the Trusts strategic priorities, estates plan and operational needs
Audit
Manage relationships with internal and external audit functions and, with the Managing Director/Chief Executive play a leading role in liaison with any regulatory bodies.
Ensure the timely production of the annual accounts that support the ongoing viability of the Trust.
To ensure an effective audit management process exists and that action is taken on recommendations.
- Develop and implement an effective strategy for the efficient management, utilisation, safe custody and protection of ownership of the Trusts fixed assets including real estate.
Strategic Relationships, Communication & Professional Issues
Develop effective working relationships and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to support delivery of the Trusts strategy.
Lead in commissioning service agreements and ensuring that appropriately robust income agreements are achieved.
Ensure the provision of accurate and timely financial and performance information to external bodies as required.
Ensure professional staff and managers have a clear understanding of the external environment, the Trust strategy, its associated financial plan and their personal role in its delivery; communicating clearly and consistently both within the organisation and externally.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the key determinants of health and healthcare provision and funding, including national policies and frameworks.
- Provide visible leadership and expert financial advice within the Trust, ensuring adherence to and promoting high standards of probity and professional behaviour and incorporating risk management and other techniques in decision-making.
- Understand and comply with the Trust's statutory responsibilities for professional self-regulation, corporate governance, controls assurance and legal liabilities.
On-call and Other responsibilities
To participate in the Trusts Executive on call rota and provide leadership, advice and guidance.
Act as the Trust Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) as required. Working with the Caldicott Guradian and Information Governance Functions
Job description
Job responsibilities
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Wye Valley NHS Trust and Worcester Acute Hospital NHS Trust have established a Foundation Group through the creation of a Committee in Common (the Group Strategy Committee). The purpose of the Group is to support the ongoing sustainability the Trusts and to facilitate the rapid development of integrated care in their localities.
SWFT and GEH have a shared, single executive team. The post-holder will therefore be a Board member representing both organisations.
The Chief Finance Officer will report to the Managing Director and will lead the finance, performance and resources for the the Trusts, ensuring robust systems are in place to deliver statutory duties supported by the appropriate governance mechanisms.
Providing effective leadership, acting as a role model for our people and ensuring the development of a culture and core values for the Trusts to continuously improve and innovate are fundamental responsibilities.
As a lead provider in Warwickshire, a key part of the role is supporting integration through the continued development of excellent working relationships with System and Place partners, in particular Primary Care.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Board of Directors
Trust Executive Team and Senior Managers
ICB, NHS England (and successor), Care Quality Commission, Health and Wellbeing Board, Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Local Authority and other local providers including Primary Care, Mental Health and Social Services
Local Voluntary and Representative Groups
KEY RESULT AREAS
Corporate
As an Executive Director for the Trust Board, the CFO will contribute to the formation of the vision and strategic direction, financial viability and relevant operational and delivery plans for the organisation.
Ensure that all key financial management issues and associated risks are appropriately discussed and planned for.
With other members of the corporate team, the post holder will be responsible for developing and maintaining productive relationships with all partners in the local health and social care community. Internally, the post holder will be responsible for working and supporting delivery to ensure the financial aspects of the annual plans of the Trust's clinical divisions and directorates.
Lead financial aspects of the transition to Lead Provider / Accountable Care Organisation
Line management and professional leadership responsibility for areas within the CFO portfolio.
Financial Systems and Controls
- Provide professional leadership to the implementation of the Trust's financial strategy and operational plan, managing and monitoring the deployment of effective financial plans to ensure efficient healthcare delivery.
- Oversee all financial systems and internal controls, including the development and modification of accounting systems when required
- Maintain and develop financial policies, which ensure the provision of high-quality healthcare and, in collaboration with clinical colleagues, ensure effective systems are in place to measure the efficiency of the Trust's performance.
- Ensure that the Trust has comprehensive arrangements for standing orders, standing financial instructions, counter fraud policy and state of internal control and lead the development and implementation of the Trusts financial risk management strategy and implement agreed programmes.
Promote effective use of the Trusts resources and lead cost improvement and best value programmes.
Ensure the effective development and use of service line financial and activity analysis to optimise the contribution of business units and specialities.
Advise the Trusts on its banking and investment needs and manage agreed arrangements.
Work closely with the Chief Strategy Officer to ensure the development and delivery of strategic capital plans supporting the Trusts strategic priorities, estates plan and operational needs
Audit
Manage relationships with internal and external audit functions and, with the Managing Director/Chief Executive play a leading role in liaison with any regulatory bodies.
Ensure the timely production of the annual accounts that support the ongoing viability of the Trust.
To ensure an effective audit management process exists and that action is taken on recommendations.
- Develop and implement an effective strategy for the efficient management, utilisation, safe custody and protection of ownership of the Trusts fixed assets including real estate.
Strategic Relationships, Communication & Professional Issues
Develop effective working relationships and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to support delivery of the Trusts strategy.
Lead in commissioning service agreements and ensuring that appropriately robust income agreements are achieved.
Ensure the provision of accurate and timely financial and performance information to external bodies as required.
Ensure professional staff and managers have a clear understanding of the external environment, the Trust strategy, its associated financial plan and their personal role in its delivery; communicating clearly and consistently both within the organisation and externally.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the key determinants of health and healthcare provision and funding, including national policies and frameworks.
- Provide visible leadership and expert financial advice within the Trust, ensuring adherence to and promoting high standards of probity and professional behaviour and incorporating risk management and other techniques in decision-making.
- Understand and comply with the Trust's statutory responsibilities for professional self-regulation, corporate governance, controls assurance and legal liabilities.
On-call and Other responsibilities
To participate in the Trusts Executive on call rota and provide leadership, advice and guidance.
Act as the Trust Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) as required. Working with the Caldicott Guradian and Information Governance Functions
Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
- Please see detailed Job Description and Personal Specification
Desirable
- Please see detailed Job Description and Personal Specification
Person Specification
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
- Please see detailed Job Description and Personal Specification
Desirable
- Please see detailed Job Description and Personal Specification
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).
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).
