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Job overview
RFL Property Services (RFLPS) is seeking a highly motivated, qualified commercial accountant to join us as Head of Finance. This is a pivotal leadership role for a fast-growing, ambitious organisation, and an exceptional opportunity to shape the financial direction of a business that is transforming the way estates and facilities services are delivered across the NHS.
Reporting to the Deputy director of financial performance and working closely with the executive directors and Board, you will lead all aspects of financial management, control and commercial finance for RFLPS. You will be the organisation's senior finance leader — owning financial planning, commercial analysis, profitability modelling and governance, while acting as a trusted business partner to operational and consultancy teams and to our parent organisation and customers.
We are looking for someone with excellent commercial acumen, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the confidence to lead, drive change and inspire others as we continue our journey of significant year-on-year growth.
Main duties of the job
Lead financial management, control and governance for RFLPS, ensuring adherence to minimum standards, best practice and the scheme of delegation. Own the production of timely, accurate monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and statutory annual accounts, and present clear financial insight to the Board and Non-Executive Directors. Lead the annual planning and budget-setting process, hold budget holders to account, and set action plans to manage variances, over-runs and risk. Provide high-quality commercial finance: business cases, tender and fee modelling, charge-out rates, margin and competitor analysis, scenario testing and predictive modelling to support sustainable growth. Manage cashflow, creditors and debtors, and act as the organisation's lead for payroll, VAT and HMRC matters. Lead on procurement in line with RFL Group standards and SFIs, and support Group Audit Committee reporting on waivers, losses, internal audit and counter fraud. Manage and develop a small finance team (two direct, six indirect reports) and the financial services SLA with RFL Group. Business partner with the MD, directors, parent organisation and customers to inform investment decisions, pricing and profitability, and to drive efficiency and transformation.
You will be a CCAB/CIMA-qualified accountant with significant post-qualification experience, a track record of business partnering at a senior level, and the credibility to challenge and influence at Board level.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details of the post and visit our website to find out about working in Royal Free.
Person specification
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- Flexible and able to manage workload to ensure delivery of both regular commitments and the support of Trust wide initiatives
- The ability to provide advice and support from across all of the accounting disciplines is essential
- Able to influence others, and be able to present a coherent case in support of a desired strategic outcome or plan
- Ability to challenge assumptions, and articulate alternative interpretations, scenarios and strategies
Education & Professional Qualifications
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Professional management accounting or similar qualification (CIMA, ACA, CIPFA, ACCA)
- Expert knowledge gained through further post-qualification specialist training or experience
- Evidence of maintaining and developing technical accounting expertise and of staying up to date with current accounting rules since qualification
- Proven post qualification experience or experience working at an Assistant Director level
- Significant experience of business partnering, supporting directors in developing their financial strategies or plans
- Experience of using complex financial models for assessing risk and informing decision-making
- Experience in making or advising on complex decisions involving financial risk
- Experience of leading on large business cases or developments and assisting internal customers in understanding the assumptions and risks inherent in those business cases
- Experience of having worked with large, complicated sets of information, drawing inferences and developing strategy on the basis of the analysis
- Experience of presenting complex financial information to non-finance managers and directors
- Experience of having presented to a Board level audience and responding to Board level challenge
- An understanding of the Payment by Results financial regime
- Understand the concepts underpinning the development of a strategy and some of the elements which can be arranged to gain competitive advantage
- Knowledge and confidence to challenge whilst avoiding conflict
- Proactive approach to managing performance of contractors and suppliers
- Excellent persuasion and negotiation skills are required to ensure delivery of balanced financial plans
- Strong sense of quality and customer focus
- Pro-active and positive
Desirable
- Relevant Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Band 8D - Head of Finance with Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 role. The advertised salary is £100,493 - £114,951 Per annum inclusive of HCAS. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 24 Jul 2026.
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