Head of Finance

NHS; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 91,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization based in Cambridge is seeking a Head of Finance to manage financial responsibilities for the East of England Provider Collaborative. This role requires expertise in NHS financial procedures and strategic financial planning. Candidates should have a CCAB qualification and significant experience in finance leadership within large complex organizations. The position offers a salary of £91,342 to £105,337 per year, and is full-time and permanent.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of NHS financial accounting procedures and legislation.
• Exceptional post-qualification experience in financial planning and strategy.
• Significant experience in strategic finance within the NHS.

Responsibilities

• Manage the East of England Provider Collaborative financial responsibilities.
• Develop policies for Finance and Accounting functions.
• Provide financial advice and monitor budgets.

Skills

Persuasive, influencing and negotiating skills

Ability to challenge information from subject matter experts

High-level facilitation skills

Self-management with delegation and motivation of others

Strong partnership and relationship-building skills

Education

CCAB Qualification

Master's Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

Job summary

This role holds overall responsibility for the management and performance of the East of England Provider Collaborative financial responsibilities. You will bring extensive experience in strategic finance and leadership within the NHS or a large complex organisation, with expert knowledge of NHS financial accounting procedures and legislation and advanced practical and theoretical knowledge in financial planning. You will guide the Finance and Accounting functions of the Collaborative, advise on medium and long term strategic financial planning and opportunities for business case development, and make judgements on financial decisions and risk where there is no precedent. You will advise senior finance managers across the region using persuasive, influencing and negotiating skills. For a confidential discussion about the Head of Finance role, please email [e-mail] to arrange a discussion with Rachel Redgrave, Interim Managing Director.

Main duties

• The overall management and performance of the East of England Provider Collaborative financial responsibilities.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures, systems and processes for the Finance and Accounting functions of the Collaborative, guided by national policies and regulations.
• Deliver the finance and accounting function for the Collaborative.
• Develop and monitor the budget for the Collaborative as a whole and for each specialty area.
• Make judgements on financial decisions and financial risk where there is no precedent.
• Take the lead in advising on the medium and long term strategic financial planning.
• Ensure all statutory / NHS accounts and returns are accurate and meet deadlines and legal requirements.

About us

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead a fulfilling life. Our clinical teams deliver NHS services in inpatient, primary care and community settings across services including Children, Adult and Older Peoples Mental and Physical Health, Forensic & Specialist Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care and Liaison psychiatry, Substance Misuse, Social Care, Research and Development. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities.

Please note we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.

We cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If sponsorship is not available for a role, applications may be rejected from the process.

Details

Date posted: 19 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 8d

Salary: £91,342 to £105,337 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 310-MCORP-7425350

Job locations: Fulbourn Hospital, Elizabeth House, Fulbourn, CB21 5EF

Financial Planning & Strategy

• Interpret national NHS and NHSE policies and develop appropriate protocols and frameworks for the Collaborative to ensure financial probity.
• Overall responsibility for the regional specialised mental health commissioning budgets for multiple service lines, delivered across the Collaboratives six NHS Trusts for the East of England region.
• Develop policies and procedures to effectively manage and account for the regional budget devolved from NHSE.
• Prepare and manage the Collaborative 4-year Long Term Financial Model (LTFM) to forecast Income & Expenditure, integrating financials with activity, and including risk quantifications.
• Provide financial advice and develop and monitor the budgets across the Collaboratives six NHS Trusts.
• Develop an integrated financial plan and the design/implementation of a dashboard and report for providers (finance, activity and quality).
• Ensure statutory / NHS returns are true and meet legal requirements.
• Ensure that the Financial Model and Strategy reflect Clinical, Transformation and Business Development Plans.
• Lead the finance work in developing the Collaborative Business Plans and identify savings aligned with strategic direction.
• Oversee annual budget setting and business planning cycles in line with activity and the financial plan.
• Present the Financial Strategy to the Collaborative Board and external stakeholders as required.
• Prepare and manage key financial models and forecasts with risk scenarios and sensitivities.
• Provide support in contract negotiations with NHSE using data on finance, activity, capacity and productivity.

Business Cases

• Develop business case policy, procedures and best practice on required information, including financials, activity, risk and benefits quantification, updated to reflect NHSE funding frameworks.
• Set up and maintain a central database of key Business Case data, mapping investment, capacity, demand, activity and outcomes; integrate into annual planning and budgeting cycles.
• Advise on business case and capital financing matters as required.
• Quality-assure all financial outputs to ensure accuracy and enable audit and post-project evaluation.
• Evaluate complex data and business cases for service development and capital investment with significant resource implications.
• Review service costings to ensure alignment with national policy and guidelines.
• Present complex information to diverse audiences, from formal presentations to meetings with staff or external stakeholders.
• Ensure high-quality information submissions across the Collaborative and submit to NHSE as required.
• Produce regular reports and analyses for the Collaborative Board, member Trust Executives and NHSE.

People and Communications

• Line manage a team providing financial management and reporting, budget setting, financial accounting and business analytics.
• Regularly negotiate with EoEPC Executives, Chief Finance Officers and other professionals, translating complex financial concepts for senior managers who may not be finance experts.
• Demonstrate leadership, motivation, consultation, negotiation and mediation to overcome barriers to acceptance or understanding.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders in writing and verbally.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications (Essential)

• Expert knowledge of NHS financial accounting procedures and legislation
• CCAB Qualification
• Master's Degree or equivalent experience
• Evidence of ongoing professional development

Experience (Essential)

• Exceptional post-qualification experience with advanced knowledge in financial planning, strategy and Business Case development
• Significant years of strategic finance and leadership experience within the NHS or a large complex organisation

Desirable

• Experience in Mental Health service provision
• Experience with NHSE regional teams
• Experience working with multiple autonomous organisations collaborating on a shared vision

Skills and Abilities (Essential)

• Persuasive, influencing and negotiating skills
• Ability to challenge information from subject matter experts
• High-level facilitation skills
• Ability to make autonomous decisions under pressure and tight timescales
• Strong partnership and relationship-building skills
• Ability to interpret complex information and identify key actions
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-finance managers
• Self-management with delegation and motivation of others

Knowledge and Understanding (Essential)

• Expert knowledge of NHS finance and accounting procedures and policies
• Understanding of NHS plans and the role of regions/ICS/STPs
• Understanding of public sector environments and their impact on the health economy
• Knowledge of NHS Standard Contract and related commercial considerations
• Commercial acumen

Physical Requirements (Essential)

• Ability to travel across sites in the East of England
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for prolonged periods
• Willingness to work flexibly including out of hours/weekends as needed

Disclosures

Disclosure and Barring Service: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) 1975. A DBS check will be required.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. Guidance on overseas criminal records checks can be found in official guidance linked to overseas applicants.

Employer details

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Fulbourn Hospital, Elizabeth House, Fulbourn, CB21 5EF

Website: cpft.nhs.uk