Deputy Chief Finance Officer

The closing date is 21 May 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the UK's leading specialist trusts with an international reputation for excellence and innovation.

Reporting to the CFO, the Deputy CFO is a pivotal leadership role in the Trust. This is more than a traditional Deputy role – it's an opportunity for the right candidate to actively contribute to the delivery of the Trust's Strategy.

You will be responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, direction and advice across the organisation, ensuring the Trust makes best use of public resources and delivers on its strategy objectives. It's a brilliant opportunity for the right candidate to develop their collaborative and compassionate leadership skills in a highly supportive environment.

The postholder will also act as the Finance Director for the Royal Papworth Charity which exists to raise funds and receive donations to sustain the hospital as the UK's leading centre of excellence for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiothoracic diseases. More details can be found at royalpapworthcharity.com.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for someone with a forward‑looking mindset, who will relish the development opportunity that this role provides and contribute positively to the organisation.

The successful candidate will have previous NHS experience and a strong grasp of the strategic context in which the Trust operates. They will be an experienced accountant with exceptional communication skills and a values‑based approach to their work. They will be an influential team player who works in a collaborative way to empower, motivate and influence key stakeholders inside and outside the organisation.

About us

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's leading heart and lung hospital, delivering care to more than 50,000 patients a year in its new state‑of‑the‑art hospital in Cambridge. It is a specialist centre for cardiothoracic diseases and offers emergency heart attack treatment, sleep centre care and is one of just five centres nationally for those in severe respiratory failure.

The Trust holds its values of compassion, excellence & collaboration at its core, and all colleagues joining the team are expected to uphold these in their day‑to‑day roles & interactions. Royal Papworth is proud of its diverse workforce and encourages people to embrace their individuality.

Job responsibilities

You will provide strategic financial leadership and direction, ensuring optimal use of public resources and alignment with the Trust's strategy. You will act as Finance Director for the Royal Papworth Charity, overseeing charitable fundraising and donation management.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters degree (or equivalent) or equivalent level of experience.
• Completion of a CCAB / CIMA recognised accountancy qualification with significant PQE experience preferably in a specialist Financial Management or Financial Services or Strategic Finance role. Professional registration with a CAAB body.
• Evidence of ongoing professional and leadership development.

Experience

• Extensive knowledge of all elements of financial management and control in the NHS, particularly demonstrating an ability to interpret statutory and DRSC guidance to recommend necessary actions and implement them.
• Experience working across more than one financial function (for example, experience working across more than one of the following: financial management, financial control, commissioning & income, capital, performance reporting, audit etc).
• Senior leadership experience at a strategic level in a large complex organisation in the public or healthcare sector.
• Highly experienced, compassionate and skilled senior leader, used to leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver organisational wide change projects.
• Able to lead transformation, change management and organisational development, through the application of change methodologies.
• Collaborative in approach to solving problems and excellent at building successful, positive relationships across the organisation and with partners outside the Trust.
• Able to demonstrate building an inclusive, equal and diverse culture in your current team and in the wider organisation.
• Demonstrate flexibility in how you work, able to switch focus and juggle shifting priorities across a broad portfolio. Able to work on several projects or pieces of work simultaneously, across different professional portfolios, and deliver to agreed deadline.
• Credible and effective at working at Executive Team and Board level, able to gain their confidence and buy in.
• Advanced keyboard skills.

Additional Criteria

• Please provide evidence of your commitment to uphold the Trust's values: Compassion, Excellence, Collaboration.
• Ability to travel across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and occasionally to other regional and national events. Role is mainly VDU based.

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.

Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Equality and Diversity

The Trust values difference and welcomes all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion & belief, sex and sexual orientation. Providing they meet the minimum post criteria, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview.

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