Director of Operational Finance

Director of Operational Finance

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional Director of Operational Finance to take on a senior leadership role at a pivotal point in the Trust's journey. Reporting directly to the Chief Finance Officer, this role sits at the intersection of financial recovery, operational performance and long-term transformation. The postholder is responsible for operational finance, contracting, procurement, payroll and Trust charity functions, acting as a key partner to the executive team, clinical leaders and operational management. This is a challenging environment with significant system pressure, demanding recovery expectations and the need for strong grip, transparency and delivery. The role includes involvement in the £1.5bn Leighton Hospital project and ongoing transformation initiatives as the Trust works towards a digitally enabled future.

Main duties of the job

Our strategy recognises the reality of financial constraint and rising demand, while committing to bold change. Key priorities include:

• Building back healthier, including delivery of a new, net-zero carbon hospital.
• Embracing digital technology, to transform how care and support services are delivered.
• Inspiring the workplace, developing capable, engaged and empowered leaders.
• Championing partnerships, working differently across the system to deliver value.
• Finance is central to all of this. We are looking for leaders who can be honest about the challenge, credible in recovery, and excited by transformation.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who demonstrate: Realism, resilience and a positive mindset; Calm, confident leadership under pressure; A delivery-focused approach combined with curiosity and innovation; Commitment to openness, collaboration and developing others.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford. Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.

Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System. As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we are reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website.

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 responsibilities

As Director of Operational Finance, you will:

• Provide strong, visible leadership of the Trust's operational finance function, ensuring disciplined financial management, clear accountability and reliable reporting.
• Lead the Trust's financial performance framework, enabling early identification of risk, robust recovery actions and transparent reporting to the Executive Team and Board.
• Work closely with clinical and operational leaders to support financial recovery, productivity and cost improvement, balancing immediate pressures with sustainable solutions.
• Lead on contracting, income and commercial strategy, navigating a complex system environment while maximising income and managing financial risk.
• Play a central role in the financial leadership of the New Hospital Programme, ensuring affordability, phasing, benefits realisation and long-term sustainability are embedded from the outset.
• Champion the development of a modern, digitally enabled finance function, including automation, intelligent reporting and innovative use of data.
• Provide expert advice to the Chief Finance Officer, Executive Team, Board and Committees, supporting effective decision-making, governance and assurance.
• Oversee financial governance, internal control, audit and the annual accounts process, maintaining credibility with regulators and external auditors.
• Lead, develop and inspire large finance teams, building a culture that is optimistic, delivery-focused and resilient under pressure.
• Represent the Trust across the ICS and wider system, contributing constructively to collective solutions.

This is not an easy role but it is a career-defining one.

If you are motivated by challenge, excited by transformation, and want to help shape both financial recovery and the future of NHS care, we would welcome your application.

Person Specification Experience

• In depth experience of operating at senior management level, including Board level working within a Foundation Trust or equivalent
• Extensive experience of successful partnership working with other healthcare and partner agencies in the NHS or sector with similar IM&T requirements (population records, information and systems).
• Sound financial management experience and the ability to balance competing service and financial priorities
• Experience of developing board level strategies for financial, management, improvement & recovery
• Significant experience of successfully leading and delivering organisational change
• Experience of working with different professional groups and with staff at different levels of seniority.
• Experience of the private sector

Qualifications

• Recognised professional accountancy qualification
• Diploma in Management Studies / NVQ level 4 in Management or equivalent management qualification or experience.
• Clear evidence of continuous personal, professional and managerial development
• Master's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject.

Skills and Knowledge

• Detailed awareness and understanding of current and likely future NHS issues
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the NHS
• Extensive knowledge of commissioning, budgeting and pricing arrangements in the NHS.
• Excellent negotiating and influencing skills with the ability to motivate and engage individuals and teams.
• Knowledge of corporate governance systems and requirements.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communications skills - both verbal and written.
• Proven record of leading complex, change and modernisation of programmes aimed at improving organisational performance and efficiency. Track record of driving up service standards and efficiencies, and value for money.

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.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust