About this role
Job summary
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, the post 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.
Operating within a challenging NHS environment of rising demand and financial pressures, the Trust remains one of the more stable providers locally, maintaining compliance, robust governance and clear recovery plans.
With plans for a £1.5bn new Leighton Hospital and wider transformation programmes, this is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to major capital investment, organisational change and system collaboration. The role suits an experienced NHS finance leader seeking broader operational leadership and an opportunity to shape the future finance model of an ambitious organisation.
Main duties of the job
You will:
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 to 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.
About us
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of hospital and community services for people across East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). The Trust provides high quality planned and emergency care, cardiac, critical care,child health,maternity services and intermediate care at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.
The Trust provides over 500 beds and employs over 5,100 members of staff. A comprehensive range of community services is provided across 26 medical centres and schools through ourCentral Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership.
We have played, and continue to play, a proactive role in the development of Integrated Care plans across Cheshire & Merseyside and our local Cheshire East and Cheshire West Place-based systems. We believe, and it is the cornerstone of our five-year Trust Strategy, there is the opportunity to progress innovative, responsive and effective care in the best setting for the patient, be it in the hospital or out in the community.
At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Job description Job responsibilities
Person specification
We are seeking a senior finance leader with strong technical credibility, operational leadership capability and the ability to lead teams through change and transformation.
Essential criteria
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.
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.
Desirable criteria
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.
MBA or equivalent management qualification.
Leadership potential and ambition to progress towards Director-level operational finance leadership roles in the future.
Values and behaviours
We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who demonstrate:
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
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Proficient experience that meets the Person Spec and JD
Skills Essential
Proficient skills that meets the Person Spec and JD
Values and Behaviours Essential
Good values and behaviours that fit well with the Finance Team and wider Trust
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 Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Infinity House Crewe / Working from Home
Crewe
CW1 6ZQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mcht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)