Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Band 8d - Head of Finance (Strategic Finance)

The closing date is 06 January 2026

Job summary

This is a role which will provide senior financial leadership on development and delivery of the Trust's strategic financial plans, both from a capital and revenue perspective. The postholder will report into the Deputy Director of Finance - Recovery and Strategy, with accountability to the Group Chief Finance Officer.

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities:To lead on the development of large and/or cross-cutting strategies to support the delivery of a sustainable financial position for the Trust.Assessing/modelling the financial impact of large service developments, changes to the NHS financial regime, and any other changes impacting Trust financial performance and influencing senior stakeholders on potential strategies to mitigate any potential adverse impact, and maximise any opportunities.To support on the development of an asset strategy, considering risk, strategic plans and priorities and funding sources. Ensure stakeholders (e.g. the ICB) are engaged in this strategy such that it is consistent with system priorities.

To maintain a professional reporting line into the Deputy Director of Finance - Recovery and Strategy, whilst working closely with internal and external senior stakeholders utilising professional judgement to progress business needs.

Develop productive partnership working with other function leads to contribute to the development of short- and medium-term financial plans to support realisation of the Group strategy.

Form productive working relationships with key internal and external stakeholdersDeputise as required for the senior leadership teamProvide leadership and direction to the finance department as part of the senior finance teamOperate flexibly when required to ensure business continuity across the broader portfolio.

About us

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top.

For more information please follow linkhttps://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Details

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£97,283 to £111,278 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

391-RFL-7682525

Job locations

Enfield Civic Centre

Enfield

EN1 3ES


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification

Values and Qualifications

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
  • Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
  • Educated to a masters degree level or equivalent
  • Experience of working in a senior finance role, advising Executive Directors and other senior management
  • Expert knowledge gained through further post-qualification specialist training or experience
  • Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification
  • Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and/ or directors in service developments
  • Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making
  • Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk
  • Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and
  • Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis
  • Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors
  • An understanding of the current financial regime underpinning NHS commissioning
  • Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage
  • Extensive experience of revenue and capital accounting in an NHS environment
  • Extensive experience of developing, and maintaining financial models, and using outputs to influence the development of divisional/Health Unit/Corporate/Trust strategies
  • Experience collaborating with the external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Integrated Care System, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care

Skills and Aptitue - Leadership qualities and influencing skills

Essential

  • Ability to understand complex situations
  • Ability to work in a professional and positive manner and meet challenging deadlines
  • Able to challenge effectively while maintaining relationships
  • Pro-active, dynamic and flexible
  • Ability to work autonomously
  • Demonstrating initiative to work as an individual to meet deadlines

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and/ or directors in service developments
  • Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making
  • Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk
  • Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and risks inherent in those business cases
  • Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis
  • Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors
  • An understanding of the current financial regime underpinning NHS commissioning
  • Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage
  • Extensive experience of revenue and capital accounting in an NHS environment
  • Extensive experience of developing, and maintaining financial models, and using outputs to influence the development of divisional/Health Unit/Corporate/Trust strategies
  • Experience collaborating with the external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Integrated Care System, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care
Person Specification

Values and Qualifications

Essential

  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
  • Professional qualification in accountancy (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
  • Educated to a masters degree level or equivalent
  • Experience of working in a senior finance role, advising Executive Directors and other senior management
  • Expert knowledge gained through further post-qualification specialist training or experience
  • Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification
  • Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and/ or directors in service developments
  • Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making
  • Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk
  • Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and
  • Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis
  • Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors
  • An understanding of the current financial regime underpinning NHS commissioning
  • Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage
  • Extensive experience of revenue and capital accounting in an NHS environment
  • Extensive experience of developing, and maintaining financial models, and using outputs to influence the development of divisional/Health Unit/Corporate/Trust strategies
  • Experience collaborating with the external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Integrated Care System, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care

Skills and Aptitue - Leadership qualities and influencing skills

Essential

  • Ability to understand complex situations
  • Ability to work in a professional and positive manner and meet challenging deadlines
  • Able to challenge effectively while maintaining relationships
  • Pro-active, dynamic and flexible
  • Ability to work autonomously
  • Demonstrating initiative to work as an individual to meet deadlines

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of business partnering, supporting senior managers and/ or directors in service developments
  • Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making
  • Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk
  • Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and risks inherent in those business cases
  • Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis
  • Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors
  • An understanding of the current financial regime underpinning NHS commissioning
  • Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage
  • Extensive experience of revenue and capital accounting in an NHS environment
  • Extensive experience of developing, and maintaining financial models, and using outputs to influence the development of divisional/Health Unit/Corporate/Trust strategies
  • Experience collaborating with the external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Integrated Care System, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Enfield Civic Centre

Enfield

EN1 3ES


Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Enfield Civic Centre

Enfield

EN1 3ES


Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Director of Recovery and Strategy

Manatunga (Tilak) Vidyatilake

manatunga.vidyatilake@nhs.net

02083751026

Details

Date posted

23 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8d

Salary

£97,283 to £111,278 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

391-RFL-7682525

Job locations

Enfield Civic Centre

Enfield

EN1 3ES


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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