Head of Finance

A leading multisite healthcare group in the North of England is seeking a Head of Finance to take charge of its finance function and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the organisation. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to join a purpose-led business that values quality care, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

As Head of Finance, you will be at the heart of strategic decision-making, working closely with owners and operational leaders to drive financial performance and support expansion across multiple sites. The role offers a blend of commercial partnership, hands-on operational control, and the chance to make a tangible impact on both people and processes.

The role offers hybrid working, with regular site travel. You will enjoy autonomy, flexibility, and the satisfaction of seeing your expertise directly influence outcomes. If you are passionate about making a difference, while developing your career in a collaborative, agile environment, this is the perfect next step.

What you'll do:

• Drive financial performance and profitability across all sites by providing insightful analysis and recommendations to senior management.
• Support operational teams with data-led insights aimed at increasing occupancy rates, controlling staffing costs, and optimising funding streams for maximum efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for margin improvement and cost-saving initiatives while maintaining a service-oriented approach.
• Act as a trusted thought partner to ownership on matters such as investment decisions, acquisitions, and scaling the business sustainably.
• Oversee all core financial functions including budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management, profit & loss oversight, balance sheet integrity, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Lead month-end close processes and deliver timely, accurate management reports to senior leadership and board members for informed decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory frameworks (such as CQC and HMRC) by managing audits, risk assessments, and adherence to local authority guidelines.
• Champion finance transformation by automating manual processes, upgrading systems infrastructure, and driving efficiencies across finance operations.
• Implement smarter workflows that reduce duplication of effort while improving visibility into financial performance at both site and group levels.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small but capable finance team while fostering strong relationships with managers, regional operations staff, and external partners.

What you bring:

• Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with over ten years' experience including significant exposure at senior leadership level within complex organisations.
• Proven track record working in multi-site environments such as healthcare providers, hospitality groups or retail businesses where operational complexity is high.
• Demonstrated hands-on capability-comfortable preparing detailed board packs as well as investigating payroll anomalies or refining intricate Excel models when required.
• Commercially astute mindset with an ability to interpret financial data beyond numbers alone; able to identify trends and act decisively on findings for organisational benefit.
• Advanced understanding of how technology can be harnessed alongside process improvements to drive smart growth within finance functions.
• Proactive approach combined with pragmatism; always seeking ways to improve efficiency without compromising quality or compliance standards.
• Experience balancing long-term strategic planning responsibilities with immediate operational challenges as they arise within fast-evolving settings.
• Excellent communication skills; able to convey complex information clearly at all levels from boardroom discussions through to frontline staff interactions.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates