Director of Finance

Runcorn, Cheshire
NHS
Halton Haven Hospice is seeking a Director of Finance to join our Executive Leadership Team.

You will bring strategic insight and operational excellence to our Finance and Facilities functions, and act as a key advisor to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees

As Director of Finance, you will:

• Lead all aspects of financial strategy, reporting, and governance
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations and team leadership
• Provide critical insight and assurance to the Chief Executive and Trustees
• Responsible for executive on-call duties as part of a scheduled rota, handling urgent issues outside regular business hours.
• Support the financial management of fundraising income and grant funding
• Manage the Facilities function to ensure safe, compliant, and well-maintained premises
• Drive continuous improvement, sustainability, and operational effectiveness
• Support the IT and Data protection operations

You will be instrumental in helping us deliver our strategic vision with financial clarity, stability, and confidence.

Were seeking a qualified, experienced finance professional who can bring:

• Proven experience in senior financial leadership
• Strong technical skills in financial planning, reporting, compliance, and governance
• Empathy, integrity, and a passion for improving lives
• A collaborative, hands-on leadership style

Main duties of the job Provide strategic financial leadership to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.Lead on financial planning, business modelling, forecasting, and long-term sustainability strategy. Prepare and present management accounts & strategic reports. Ensure the organisations financial governance, policies, and reporting meet all statutory, regulatory, and charity commission requirements. Act as the executive lead for governance reporting. Play a central role in business planning and annual budget setting. Ensure financial systems are accurate and up to date, supporting timely decision-making. Embed strong financial controls and continuously improve internal processes. Oversee all statutory returns, including VAT, pensions, and charity commission filings. Ensure all aspects of compliance relating to finance, facilities, contracts, and health & safety are met. Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders. Build collaborative relationships with external auditors, banks, insurers, regulators, and funding bodies. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of charity accounting standards, financial legislation, and regulatory frameworks. Ensure all finance and facilities-related activities comply with Health and Safety regulations. Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.

About us At Halton Haven, our hospice team is united by a shared commitment to compassion, dignity and excellence in care. Every member of our teamclinical and non-clinical alikebrings a strong work ethic, professionalism and genuine kindness to everything they do. We support one another, work collaboratively, and always place patients and families at the heart of our decisions.

The atmosphere at Halton Haven is one of respect, warmth and encouragement. We understand the emotional nature of hospice care and foster a supportive environment where staff feel valued, listened to and empowered. Open communication, teamwork and mutual trust create a workplace where people can thrive, grow and feel proud of the care they provide.

Working at Halton Haven offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. Alongside the reward of delivering outstanding palliative care, we offer a range of benefits designed to support wellbeing, development and work life balance. From ongoing training and professional development to flexible working and a strong sense of community, Halton Haven is a place where dedication is recognised and people truly matter

Job responsibilities The Director of Finance is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for strategic and operational leadership of the Finance, IT and Data protection, and Facilities functions, and supporting effective governance and financial oversight by the Board of Trustees. This role reports directly to the Chief Executive and has a crucial role in shaping the hospices financial strategy, long-term sustainability, and operational efficiency.

The post-holder will lead on all aspects of financial management and reporting, oversee facilities and premises-related operations, and act as the lead contact for Trustees, finance and audit matters. Working closely with the Chief Executive and fellow Directors, the Director of Finance will help deliver the hospices strategic objectives and ensure robust governance and financial control.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.
• Take part in the executive on-call duties as part of a scheduled rota, handling urgent issues outside regular business hours.
• Lead on financial planning, business modelling, forecasting, and long-term sustainability strategy.
• Prepare and present management accounts, financial dashboards, forecasts, and strategic reports to the Board and Finance Sub-Committee.
• Ensure the organisations financial governance, policies, and reporting meet all statutory, regulatory, and charity commission requirements.
• Act as the executive lead for governance reporting, supporting the Board and its committees with accurate, timely information.
• Play a central role in business planning and annual budget setting, ensuring alignment with hospice strategy and values.

Finance Team Leadership

• Lead, support, and inspire the staff in the Finance, IT and Data Protection and Facilities teams.
• Provide oversight of day-to-day financial operations including payroll, banking, VAT, gift aid, accounts payable/receivable, and reconciliations.
• Ensure financial systems (e.g., Xero and fundraising CRM) are accurate and up to date, supporting timely decision-making.
• Oversee the monthly and annual accounts processes, including audit preparation and liaison with external auditors.
• Embed strong financial controls and continuously improve internal processes to enhance transparency, efficiency, and risk management.

Fundraising and Grant Support

• Work closely with the Fundraising Team to ensure accurate financial recording and reporting of fundraising income streams.
• Support financial aspects of grant funding bids and ensure effective financial monitoring and reporting of grant conditions and claims.

Facilities Oversight

• Provide leadership to the facilities function, ensuring effective maintenance, safety, and compliance of all premises and equipment.
• Ensure facilities and estates management align with health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.

Key Tasks

• Lead the annual budgeting process and monitor progress against plans throughout the year.
• Support income generation through financial insights, modelling, and performance reporting.
• Ensure effective cash flow management and reporting.
• Deliver monthly and quarterly management accounts, variance analysis, and forecasts to SLT and Trustees.
• Oversee all statutory returns, including VAT, pensions, and charity commission filings.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across finance and facilities operations.
• Ensure all aspects of compliance relating to finance, facilities, contracts, and health & safety are met.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Act as a senior liaison between Trustees, the Executive Team, and operational managers.
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
• Build collaborative relationships with external auditors, banks, insurers, regulators, and funding bodies.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate integrity in all financial and operational matters.

General Responsibilities

• Promote and model the hospices values and leadership behaviours.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of charity accounting standards, financial legislation, and regulatory frameworks.
• Attend and contribute to team, SLT, and Trustee meetings as required.
• Support cross-organisational initiatives and project teams, including digital and systems development.
• Act as a member of the Hospices Safeguarding and Equality & Inclusion leadership responsibilities, ensuring financial and facilities policies meet all safeguarding and diversity standards.

Safeguarding

• Ensure finance and facilities operations adhere to safeguarding standards and reporting procedures.
• Support Trustees and the Executive Team in fulfilling their safeguarding governance duties.

Health, Safety & Risk

• Ensure all finance and facilities-related activities comply with Health and Safety regulations.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Actively promote a culture of safety and accountability.

Person Specification Additional Knowledge and Skills including Personal Qualities

• Strong understanding of financial controls, charity SORP, VAT, and governance
• Competent in using finance systems (e.g. Xero), Excel, and CRMs
• Understanding of UK charity regulations and Charity Commission guidance
• Able to interpret and communicate complex financial data to non-finance stakeholders
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Highly organised . click apply for full job details