Job summary
- Main area
- Finance
- Grade
- VSM
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 390-EXEC-BA-5901
- Employer
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Basildon
- Town
- Basildon
- Salary
- Salary dependant on experience
- Closing
- 09/08/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 26/08/2026
Employer heading
Chief Finance Officer
VSM
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.
Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.
We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.
Job overview
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.
Working for our organisation
Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.
We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Financial management
Provide visible and inclusive leadership, fostering a culture where colleagues feel supported, empowered and accountable. Develop high-performing teams, promote talent development and succession planning, and ensure staff have the skills and support required to deliver excellent services. Champion the Trust's values and contribute to creating a positive, collaborative and high-performing organisational culture.
Partnership Working and Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, HM Treasury, the Essex Integrated Care Board and other key partners. Represent the Trust within the wider NHS finance community, influencing system-wide financial strategy and supporting collaborative approaches that improve outcomes and deliver long-term sustainability.
Governance, Risk and Assurance
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- 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 criteria
- Stamina, energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work effectively under pressure
- The Temperament and ability to act effectively in highly emotive situations
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Alison Alexander
- Job title
- Senior Business Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0300 443 0003
- Additional information
Please contact Alison via email ([email protected])
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