Director of Finance in Ashford

Do you want to make a difference to local lives? We are an independent local charity based in Bosham, Chichester offering exceptional end of life care to our patients and support to their loved ones. The work we do makes a real difference to the lives of local people and we support over 330 patients at any one time, in our In Patient, Community, Living Well and Family Services teams. We generate the majority of our funding through fundraising and our eleven charity shops.

With operating resources of around £10.5 million per year and a workforce of around 270 employees and c.500 volunteers, we provide our services and seek to live our values of Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Responsibility, and Collaboration in all that we do. We believe that the best care is delivered when people work together with openness, respect, and shared purpose. As we look to the future, we are focused on sustainability, and effective, visible leadership across the organisation so that we can continue to provide our vital services for years to come.

The Role: We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Director of Finance to join our Senior Management Team (SMT) and help lead the hospice as a whole. This is far more than a technical finance role. As a key member of the SMT, the Director of Finance will hold collective responsibility for the overall leadership, culture, performance, and strategic direction of the organisation, working collaboratively with fellow senior leaders to ensure our values shape decision-making at every level.

Alongside strategic financial leadership, the role includes senior oversight of Facilities and IT, recognising the vital role these services play in the provision of safe and effective services. The role also operates as Company Secretary and takes responsibility for information governance. Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance will work closely with Trustees, senior colleagues, and external partners to ensure the hospice remains financially sustainable, well-governed, and resilient.

About You: You will be a senior finance leader who combines professional expertise with strong interpersonal skills and a clear commitment to values-based leadership. You will bring:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA, or equivalent).
• Significant senior-level financial leadership experience, ideally within a charity, healthcare, public sector, or complex not-for-profit environment.
• Experience of working closely with Boards or Trustees and contributing at a strategic level.
• The ability to lead collaboratively beyond finance, with credibility and interest in areas such as Facilities and IT.
• A genuine commitment to leading with Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Responsibility, and Collaboration.

We offer our employees:

• Generous annual leave starting at 27 days, rising to 33, plus Bank Holidays, and an opportunity to buy / sell annual leave days.
• Continuation of NHS Pension Scheme membership or membership of our workplace pension with 7.5% employer contribution.
• Life Assurance Scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, contributory Health Cash Plan, and a range of discounts.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at St Wilfrid's: We value diversity and are committed to being a place where people feel their differences are recognised and welcomed, and their needs are heard and respected. Creating an inclusive workplace is a core part of our aim to ensure St Wilfrid’s is a great place to work and a compassionate and caring place to be.

We want to hire talented people and to make sure our processes don’t exclude or disadvantage people with disabilities or different needs. Please let us know what would help you apply for our role – we’re happy to be flexible with our process to help you showcase your skills and abilities. We guarantee an interview for candidates with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the role. As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and member of the Defence Employer Recognitions Scheme, we’re also keen to support applications from members of the Armed Forces family. If your Armed Forces-related circumstances mean that a conventional application and interview process might be difficult, let us know.