Chief Finance Officer

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an outstanding and visionary Chief Finance Officer (CFO) to join the Trust Board and Executive Leadership Team. This pivotal Board-level role provides strategic leadership for financial stewardship, governance, performance and long-term sustainability across one of the largest NHS organisations in the country.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the CFO will ensure decision-making is supported by high-quality financial intelligence, robust analysis and strong governance. The post holder will play a key role in delivering the Trust’s strategic objectives, maximising the effective use of resources and ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining a strong focus on quality of care and patient outcomes.

As a statutory Executive Director, the CFO will work closely with Board colleagues, system partners and national organisations to influence financial strategy across the wider health and care system. The role has responsibility for Financial Services, Procurement and Contract Management, Charities and Voluntary Services, Strategic Projects and Commercial activities, ensuring these functions deliver efficient and responsive services that support outstanding patient care.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced finance leader with the strategic vision, commercial acumen and system leadership skills to help shape the future of healthcare across Mid and South Essex.

Main duties of the job

The Chief Finance Officer will:

  • Provide strategic financial leadership and advice to the Trust Board and Executive Team.
  • Lead the development and delivery of the Trust’s long-term financial strategy, supporting organisational sustainability and growth.
  • Ensure robust financial governance, stewardship, risk management and accountability across the organisation.
  • Oversee the Trust’s financial services, procurement, contract management, charities and commercial functions.
  • Lead the development of capital, investment and financing strategies that support organisational priorities.
  • Drive value for money, productivity and efficiency through effective resource management and delivery of cost improvement programmes.
  • Ensure high-quality statutory reporting, financial accounts, annual reports and regulatory returns.
  • Build strong relationships with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, regulators and external partners.
  • Lead and develop high-performing teams that promote continuous improvement, innovation and excellence.
  • Support system-wide working and collaborative approaches to improve outcomes for patients and communities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • CCAB/CIMA Qualified Accountant (including active registration)
  • Evidence of continuing professional development and management education to Masters’ Level a n d / or phd level or equivalent experience

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Extensive experience which includes working at executive level within the NHS
  • Significant Director level experience of working in a large and complex NHS Trust
  • Experience of providing financial leadership, mentorship, and professional development at a very senior level with demonstrable outcomes.
  • Significant experience of leading a finance team to deliver high quality services in a dynamic, changing environment
  • A proven ability to deliver consistently to best-practice standards
  • Experience of working with other statutory and voluntary organisations and the development of joint projects
  • Expertise and understanding the issues facing the NHS
  • Experience of representing services at a senior level and with external stakeholders

Personal and People Development

Essential

  • Good written, communication and numeric planning skills
  • A collaborative management style, which recognises and values personal contributions and agenda and encourages team working
  • The skills to evaluate and learn from outcomes, with a clear commitment to innovation, learning and improvement.
  • Effectiveness in conflict resolution and management.
  • redible Leader to all within the team – effective leadership influencing, negotiating and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to make decisions that encourage innovative ways of working and drive organisational change

Physical Requirements

Essential

  • Stamina, energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work effectively under pressure
  • The Temperament and ability to act effectively in highly emotive situations

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).

Closing Date: 9 August 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.