Chief Finance Officer

Overview

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust and George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust are seeking a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) on a permanent basis to provide strategic and operational leadership to the finance, performance, and resources portfolio as a joint appointment. The closing date is 01 March 2026.

Reporting to the Managing Director and a key member of the Board, you will play a key role in creating the financial environment underpinning our capabilities to deliver on our vision and ambitions as we deliver our Joint Trust Strategy. We are seeking a skilled and professional leader with the experience and ambition to drive excellence in financial management, providing visible and transformational professional leadership of financial services and planning, procurement and business intelligence.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain the highest standards of probity, leadership, and public service in line with NHS values and Fit and Proper Person requirements.

Stakeholder Panel – 16/03/26.

The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is a compassionate and inclusive leader who is responsible for the finance performance of the Trusts, ensuring they are able to provide safe, efficient, and effective patient care in accordance with national and local standards. The CFO is responsible for the overall management of financial resources, the financial systems to deliver this and is the Board adviser on all matters of financial management and risk, probity and governance.

The post holder will lead discussions with commissioners on behalf of the Trust to establish robust contractual arrangements for Trust Services. They will provide effective and professional leadership of the Finance Directorate and associated functions. The post holder will be a Board member representing both organisations as part of a shared executive team.

Key responsibilities include providing advice on financial and charitable fund management, probity and governance; leading the development and implementation of financial systems, controls and governance; ensuring robust financial performance and reporting; and supporting the Trusts in commissioning, capital planning, and risk management.

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. SWFT has been rated Outstanding following our latest inspection and is recruiting new staff to help us improve further. Our staff survey results place us 1st in the country for recommended place to work.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond, including Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on-Stour, and Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Our values are:
Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values in your work.

As part of our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion we encourage all applicants to complete a short survey. This can be accessed via the link below:

We appreciate you completing the survey.

SWFT, GEH, Wye Valley NHS Trust and Worcester Acute Hospital NHS Trust have established a Foundation Group through the Committee in Common to support sustainability and enable rapid development of integrated care. SWFT and GEH have a shared, single executive team, and the CFO will be a Board member representing both organisations. The CFO will report to the Managing Director and lead the finance, performance and resources for the Trusts, ensuring robust systems are in place to deliver statutory duties and governance.

The role includes providing leadership and developing a culture aligned with our core values, and supporting integration work with System and Place partners, particularly Primary Care.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Board of Directors
• Trust Executive Team and Senior Managers
• ICB, NHS England (and successor), Care Quality Commission, Health and Wellbeing Board, Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Local Authority and other local providers including Primary Care, Mental Health and Social Services
• Local Voluntary and Representative Groups

KEY RESULT AREAS

Corporate

• As an Executive Director for the Trust Board, contribute to the vision, strategic direction, financial viability and delivery plans.
• Ensure key financial management issues and risks are discussed and planned for.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with partners in the local health and social care community. Ensure financial aspects of the annual plans for clinical divisions and directorates are supported.
• Lead financial aspects of the transition to Lead Provider / Accountable Care Organisation
• Line management and professional leadership within the CFO portfolio

Financial Systems and Controls

• Provide professional leadership to implement the Trust's financial…