Deputy Chief Finance Officer

NHS; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Healthcare Organisation in Exeter is seeking a Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO) to support the Chief Finance Officer in strategic financial leadership. The role requires a fully qualified accountant with extensive senior financial management experience, particularly in the NHS. Responsibilities include managing financial services, ensuring compliance, and providing authoritative advice to the Board. This position offers opportunities for professional growth within a supportive and inclusive environment, with hybrid working options available.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Flexible and hybrid working options

Inclusive working environment

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in senior financial management and leadership.
• Proven ability to analyse and communicate complex financial information.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Financial Support Services, ensuring high-quality service to the Trust.
• Advise on financial strategy and ensure statutory compliance.
• Provide financial advice to Board and Executive Team.

Skills

Senior financial management

Leadership skills

Financial governance knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CCAB Qualified

Tools

Computerised accounting systems

Spreadsheet packages

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic finance leader to join the Trust as Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO). This is a key senior leadership role within the Finance Directorate, supporting the Chief Finance Officer in the strategic and operational leadership of the Trust's financial function.

The postholder will play a central role in ensuring the Trust's financial sustainability, robust governance and compliance, while providing expert financial and business advice at Board and system level.

About You

You will be a credible, confident and values-led finance professional with substantial senior leadership experience in a complex organisation, ideally within the NHS or wider public sector.

Essential criteria include:

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in senior financial management and leadership.
• Strong knowledge of NHS financial governance, statutory reporting and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to analyse, interpret and communicate highly complex financial information.
• Excellent leadership, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership role with significant influence on organisational strategy and patient care.
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth.
• Flexible and hybrid working options where operationally appropriate.
• A supportive, inclusive and values-driven working environment.

Main duties of the job

• Be responsible for the overall management and performance of the Financial Support Services, ensuring a high-quality, professional and responsive service to the Trust.
• Ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, integrity and business focus of financial systems and processes, driving continuous improvement and best practice.
• Advise on the construction, delivery and monitoring of the Trust's financial strategy, supporting long-term financial sustainability and alignment with organisational priorities.
• Ensure all statutory and regulatory financial returns represent a true and fair view of the Trust's financial position and performance, meeting all financial timescales and legal requirements, and interpreting regulatory requirements where necessary.
• Advise on highly complex and multi-faceted financial issues, including the development and appraisal of business cases, and lead on corporate financial reporting.
• Provide strategic financial and business advice to the Board, Executive Team and senior leaders, supporting informed decision-making across the organisation.
• Deputise for the Chief Finance Officer as required and represent the Trust at system and external forums.

Person Specification

• Experience – Significant experience as an NHS Accountant; working at a senior level within a large multidisciplinary complex organisation; senior leadership across a range of services relevant to the portfolio; developing and implementing financial planning and strategy including improvement programmes; advanced staff training and development and performance management; managing conflict and competing priorities.
• Qualifications – CCAB Qualified (Fellow member); evidence of current and relevant CPD.
• Knowledge & Skills – Ability to apply and advise on financial regulations and procedures; successful delivery of financial plans in complex environments; highly technical NHS Accounting knowledge; expertise in financial and accounting procedures, legislation and NHS finance policies; strategic and staff leadership; detailed knowledge of computerised accounting systems and spreadsheet packages.

Join Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Play a vital role in shaping a financially sustainable future that supports outstanding care for our communities.

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

Our Values

We recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values, including commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

Inclusion and Equality

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

For further information or an informal discussion about the role, please contact the Chief Finance Officer Aideen Tucker ([e-mail]).