Executive Director of Finance, Operations and Growth

Executive Director of Finance, Operations & Growth

Charity People have partnered with a £15million turnover hospice with sites in Luton and Bedford, in finding their next Executive Director of Finance, Operations and Growth. This is a pivotal moment to join the hospice strengthening their impact and secure their long-term future.

We are seeking an outstanding Executive Director of Finance, Operations & Growth to join our Executive Leadership Team. This is a high-profile, mission-critical role that combines strategic financial leadership with operational excellence and commercial growth. You will play a central role in ensuring the Hospice's future sustainability, driving income diversification, and enabling transformational change that supports the delivery of exceptional care. You will be delivering an ambitious new strategy working closely with an inspiring CEO, collaborative and forward thinking SLT and Board of Trustees. The hospice is in the top 25 of 100 Best Companies to work for.

Salary: circa £90,000 per annum there is a performance related incremental scale offered to all staff.

Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours

Flexibility: the hospice has a flexible working policy available to all staff including partial home working (initially three days a week and will reduce to two days a week)

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Shape and deliver the organisation's financial strategy, providing insightful analysis and robust planning to ensure long-term sustainability, effective risk management, and strong financial governance.


• Finance Function Excellence: Lead a high-performing finance function, ensuring accurate, timely reporting, strong financial controls, and continuous improvement in systems, processes, and business partnering across the organisation.


• Growth & Commercial Strategy: Lead and support the development and performance of trading and commercial income streams, including working with our excellent Ass. Director of Trading and Commercial , identifying new opportunities and forging strategic partnerships to diversify income.


• Operations, Estates & Sustainability: Provide strategic oversight of procurement, estates, facilities, and sustainability, ensuring efficient, compliant, and forward-thinking operations aligned to net zero and environmental goals.


• Transformation & Major Projects: Lead and sponsor strategic initiatives and capital programmes, developing robust business cases and ensuring effective delivery, governance, and realisation of benefits.


• Executive Leadership & Governance: Act as a key member of the Executive Team, building strong relationships with the Board and Audit and Risk committee, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.


• Organisational Stewardship: Ensure effective use of resources, robust risk management, and strong organisational performance, while acting as an ambassador for the hospice and upholding its values at all times.

Person Specification

• Senior Leadership Experience: Proven track record in a Board or Executive-level finance leadership role, ideally within a complex, multi-faceted organisation.


• Sector specific: Senior financial and operational leadership experience within a charity or not-for-profit sector; Or strong desire to be working in a mission driven organisation


• Charity SORP: Strong understanding of Charity Commission requirements and SORP.


• Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Demonstrable success in financial strategy, commercial income generation, and driving sustainable organisational growth.


• Financial Expertise: Professionally qualified (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with deep knowledge of financial governance, planning, reporting, and risk management.


• Operational Leadership: Experience overseeing operations, estates, procurement, or infrastructure, with a focus on efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement.


• Change & Transformation Capability: Strong experience leading large-scale transformation programmes and delivering measurable organisational impact.


• Values-Driven Leader: A collaborative and inspiring leader who models integrity, builds high-performing teams, and is committed to the values and mission of hospice care.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to respond to three written questions to highlight their experience, approach, and leadership style.

Role will be closing on 24th June, 2026

First stage interview via MSTeams or in person 2nd July, 2026

Second stage in person 7th or 8th July, 2026 followed by an informal chat to "get to know" on 10th or 13th July, 2026

Charity People is a forward‑thinking, inclusive organisation that deliberately champions equity, diversity and inclusion. We know charities thrive when inclusion is at the centre of decision‑making. We proudly match organisations with talent based on skills and values, not background - because diverse teams deliver stronger results.