Job summary
CFO Job Advert (April 2026)
ELFT is a vibrant, values-led community united by a deep commitment to delivering high-quality, equitable care for all. As the first NHS Marmot Trust, we are proud to act as an anchor institution, tackling the wider determinants of health and championing inclusion across Bedfordshire, East London and Luton.
We are seeking a Chief Finance Officer who will be at the heart of our mission to make a difference for our diverse communities. The Chief Finance Officer is a key board role at ELFT contributing on all strategic and operational matters. They are accountable for the overall financial performance of the Trust, ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable while delivering safe, high-quality patient care for the service users.
As CFO, this role is about far more than financial leadership. It requires someone who can work in a truly unitary way with colleagues, making a meaningful impact and bringing a solutionfocused approach to complex challenges within this exciting and ambitious Trust. The successful candidate will be an experienced, compassionate, and dynamic leader with a demonstrable track record of delivering meaningful impact within large, complex organisations. They will bring extensive expertise in financial leadership, governance, and performance management, alongside board-level experience and outstanding communication skills.
Please refer to the candidate information pack for more information
Main duties of the job
Provide leadership within a framework of prudent and effective controls, ensuring that key risks are identified, understood and well managed to support successful organisational outcomes.
Contribute actively to the development of the Trust's strategic aims and long-term aspirations, informed by the views and experiences of the Council of Governors, service users, carers, staff, partners and local communities.
Provide executive leadership for the Trust's business development and commercial strategy, ensuring the organisation is well-positioned to identify, pursue and secure opportunities that strengthen sustainability and improve outcomes for the communities we serve.
Provide strategic leadership for the Trust's contracting and commissioning arrangements.
Model and champion the Trust's values, promoting openness, inclusion, compassion and behaviours that create a psychologically safe and respectful working environment for all.
Foster a culture that empowers innovation, learning and continuous improvement, ensuring staff feel supported and able to shape better ways of working at every level of the organisation.
Lead and sustain collaborative partnerships across North East London and Central East ICSs, ensuring system-level financial, cultural and strategic alignment in the interests of the populations served.
About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- A strong understanding of NHS finance policy and wider Integrated Care System (ICS) working is essential, as is knowledge of estates, capital planning, and sustainability. They will possess the ability to translate strategic vision into effective operational delivery, inspiring and leading change across the organisation. Above all, they will demonstrate a deep and authentic commitment to NHS values and to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Provide expert financial input into major business cases, strategic plans and other business-critical documents.
- Ensure strong financial stewardship through value for money, robust financial control and adherence to the highest standards of corporate governance.
- Oversee the Internal Audit service to ensure compliance with NHS Internal Audit Standards, and lead the Trusts relationship with Internal Audit, Counter Fraud and External Auditors, ensuring timely action on all recommendations.
- Ensure appropriate systems and controls are in place for the receipt, management and expenditure of charitable funds, in line with donor intent, Charity Commission requirements and audit standards.
- Ensure the Finance function provides sufficient capacity and expertise to support financial planning, contracting and the monitoring of Service Level Agreements to secure appropriate income for the Trust.
- Maintain strong liquidity and cash management through effective working capital processes, maximising cash surpluses and minimising reliance on credit facilities.
- Ensure all financial elements of the Governance Assurance Framework are fully monitored and acted upon.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- A strong understanding of NHS finance policy and wider Integrated Care System (ICS) working is essential, as is knowledge of estates, capital planning, and sustainability. They will possess the ability to translate strategic vision into effective operational delivery, inspiring and leading change across the organisation. Above all, they will demonstrate a deep and authentic commitment to NHS values and to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Provide expert financial input into major business cases, strategic plans and other business-critical documents.
- Ensure strong financial stewardship through value for money, robust financial control and adherence to the highest standards of corporate governance.
- Oversee the Internal Audit service to ensure compliance with NHS Internal Audit Standards, and lead the Trusts relationship with Internal Audit, Counter Fraud and External Auditors, ensuring timely action on all recommendations.
- Ensure appropriate systems and controls are in place for the receipt, management and expenditure of charitable funds, in line with donor intent, Charity Commission requirements and audit standards.
- Ensure the Finance function provides sufficient capacity and expertise to support financial planning, contracting and the monitoring of Service Level Agreements to secure appropriate income for the Trust.
- Maintain strong liquidity and cash management through effective working capital processes, maximising cash surpluses and minimising reliance on credit facilities.
- Ensure all financial elements of the Governance Assurance Framework are fully monitored and acted upon.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience
- Recognised accountancy qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Master's degree in management or relevant field
Experience
Essential
- Senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation
- Proven track record in financial leadership, governance and performance management
- Experience working at or near Board level
- Successful delivery of organisational change and performance goals
Desirable
- NHS Experience
- Experience in estates or capital planning
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Deep understanding of financial strategy, governance, risk, audit and investment appraisal
- Understanding of NHS finance policy and ICS system working
- Strong understanding of estates compliance, capital planning and sustainability
- Excellent communication, influencing and leadership skills
- Ability to translate strategy into operational delivery
- Ability to manage competing priorities and lead change
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Essential
- Degree or equivalent experience
- Recognised accountancy qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development
Desirable
- Master's degree in management or relevant field
Experience
Essential
- Senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation
- Proven track record in financial leadership, governance and performance management
- Experience working at or near Board level
- Successful delivery of organisational change and performance goals
Desirable
- NHS Experience
- Experience in estates or capital planning
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Deep understanding of financial strategy, governance, risk, audit and investment appraisal
- Understanding of NHS finance policy and ICS system working
- Strong understanding of estates compliance, capital planning and sustainability
- Excellent communication, influencing and leadership skills
- Ability to translate strategy into operational delivery
- Ability to manage competing priorities and lead change
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).
