Job Description

NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) serves a diverse population of over 2.7 million people across nine local authority areas, with a system budget of 7bn and a workforce of more than 80,000 colleagues. We are one of the largest and most complex health systems in England, with a clear mission to improve health outcomes, tackle inequalities and deliver joined-up, person-centred care in partnership with local authorities, providers and communities.
This is a pivotal moment for Cheshire and Merseyside. Following a period of uncertainty for Integrated Care Boards, new national frameworks such as the Model ICB Blueprint and the NHS 10 Year Plan have brought much-needed clarity and stability. At the same time, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is operating under enhanced oversight arrangements from NHS England, reflecting both the scale of our financial challenge and the critical importance of this appointment in driving recovery.
We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director of Finance & Contracting to shape and lead our financial strategy at a time of both significant challenge and opportunity. This is a rare and career-defining role for a qualified and experienced finance leader to influence across one of the largest NHS systems in the country, building financial sustainability, enabling transformation, and making a lasting difference for the communities we serve.
Main duties of the job
You will thrive in complexity, want to make a lasting difference to communities and outcomes at scale, and share our ambition is to deliver financially sustainable, high-quality and equitable care for every community we serve.
As a key member of our Board, you will:

• Lead financial strategy and governance for the ICB, ensuring system balance, transparency, and value.
• Collaborate with local places, provider collaboratives and system partners to deliver bold transformation, underpinned by robust financial discipline.
• Take strategic oversight of ICB planning, estates and performance.
• Provide financial assurance to the ICB Chief Executive and NHS England Regional Finance Director.
• Represent Cheshire and Merseyside at national forums and influence the wider finance profession across the NHS.
• Drive cultural change through inclusive leadership, mentoring, and system-wide engagement.

About us
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is the Integrated Care Board for a population of over 2.7 million people across nine boroughs: Cheshire East, Cheshire West, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington and Wirral.
We are responsible for the planning and oversight of NHS services across the region. Our 7bn system budget supports a diverse population and a network of high-performing partners across primary, community, acute and mental health services. With over 80,000 people working in the NHS locally, we are both a major employer and a key contributor to the social and economic health of our region. We are proud of our culture of collaboration, our clear geographic identity, and our readiness to lead transformative change across complex system boundaries.
Our Values and Culture
We are committed to creating a values-led, inclusive leadership culture across the ICB and the wider system. As a Board, we role-model compassion, inclusion and mutual accountability, working closely with partners and communities to make a real difference.
We offer flexible and hybrid working arrangements and actively support professional development for all our leaders.
Details
Date posted
22 August 2025
Pay scheme
Very senior manager (VSM)
Salary
Depending on experience 166,956 - 197,311 per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
493-ICB-7230880-A
Job locations
No. 1 Lakeside (with travel across the region)
Warrington
WA1 1QY
Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with significant experience at Board or system leadership level and a track record of financial transformation and assurance within the NHS or comparable complex environments. Youll bring strategic insight, system leadership capability and a commitment to collaboration and inclusivity.
We are seeking a highly capable, strategic and values-led finance leader with the credibility to operate at Board and system level.
Essential

• Qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with current registration.
• Significant senior experience, including Board or system-level leadership.
• Proven track record in financial recovery, transformation, and assurance.
• Strong grasp of NHS financial planning, governance, and performance.
• Skilled communicator and influencer across complex systems.
• Inclusive, values-led leader with resilience and strategic insight.

Desirable

• Experience across NHS and local authority partnerships.
• Knowledge of health economics or public value approaches.
• Exposure to digital or data-driven financial transformation.
• Understanding of prevention, inequality, or wider determinants of health.

Job description
Job responsibilities
The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with significant experience at Board or system leadership level and a track record of financial transformation and assurance within the NHS or comparable complex environments. Youll bring strategic insight, system leadership capability and a commitment to collaboration and inclusivity.
We are seeking a highly capable, strategic and values-led finance leader with the credibility to operate at Board and system level.
Essential

• Qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with current registration.
• Significant senior experience, including Board or system-level leadership.
• Proven track record in financial recovery, transformation, and assurance.
• Strong grasp of NHS financial planning, governance, and performance.
• Skilled communicator and influencer across complex systems.
• Inclusive, values-led leader with resilience and strategic insight.

Desirable

• Experience across NHS and local authority partnerships.
• Knowledge of health economics or public value approaches.
• Exposure to digital or data-driven financial transformation.
• Understanding of prevention, inequality, or wider determinants of health.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with current registration

Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• Extensive senior leadership experience, including at Board or system level
• Strong track record in financial transformation, cost reduction and assurance
• Deep knowledge of NHS finance systems, governance and planning

Desirable

• Experience working across NHS and local authority or VCFSE partnerships
• Knowledge of health economics or value-based investment approaches
• Exposure to digital, data and analytics-led transformation
• Familiarity with Marmot principles or Anchor Institution

Skills and Values
Essential

• Excellent communicator with the credibility to influence across complex partnerships
• Values-led leader with resilience, political awareness and a commitment to equity

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent) with current registration

Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• Extensive senior leadership experience, including at Board or system level
• Strong track record in financial transformation, cost reduction and assurance
• Deep knowledge of NHS finance systems, governance and planning

Desirable

• Experience working across NHS and local authority or VCFSE partnerships
• Knowledge of health economics or value-based investment approaches
• Exposure to digital, data and analytics-led transformation
• Familiarity with Marmot principles or Anchor Institution

Skills and Values
Essential

• Excellent communicator with the credibility to influence across complex partnerships
• Values-led leader with resilience, political awareness and a commitment to equity