Financial Director

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded, and strategic Finance Director to lead the financial management and development of our health and social care organisation.

Kara Healthcare is a quality care provider devoted to delivering first-class dementia, nursing, residential, and respire care to residents living in our homes. We believe our residents deserves choice, dignity, and independence. Follow our CEO Nitesh Somani or Kara Healthcare LinkedIn to find out more about us.

This is a key leadership position, responsible for overseeing financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, risk management, and organisational sustainability. The successful candidate will work closely with the senior leadership team to support business growth, maintain financial stability, and ensure resources are used effectively to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

We are looking for a proactive leader who combines strong financial expertise with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the health and social care sector.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and implement the organisation’s financial strategy in line with its overall business objectives.
• Provide strategic financial advice and guidance to the Board of Directors and senior management team.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial modelling.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, operational efficiency, and profitability.
• Support business development, service expansion, acquisitions, and investment decisions where appropriate.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely monthly management accounts, financial statements, and board reports.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, income, expenditure, and financial performance across services and business units.
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls, procedures, and reporting systems.
• Ensure accurate financial records and compliance with relevant accounting standards and statutory requirements.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and provide regular financial performance updates to senior management.

Budgeting and Cost Control

• Monitor service budgets and investigate significant variances.
• Develop cost-control strategies without compromising the quality or safety of care.
• Review staffing costs, agency expenditure, supplier contracts, and other operational expenses.
• Work with operational managers to improve financial accountability and resource allocation.
• Ensure services operate within agreed budgets and financial targets.

Compliance, Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with relevant financial legislation, tax requirements, company reporting obligations, and internal policies.
• Maintain effective financial governance, internal controls, and risk management procedures.
• Liaise with external auditors, accountants, banks, HMRC, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Identify and manage financial risks, including cash flow pressures, funding changes, and rising operating costs.
• Support organisational governance and regulatory compliance, including financial evidence required for relevant health and social care audits and inspections.

Leadership and Business Partnership

• Lead, motivate, and develop the finance team, promoting accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with operational managers, HR, payroll, commissioning, and business development teams.
• Provide financial insight to support workforce planning, service delivery, and strategic decision-making.
• Develop clear financial reporting processes to help non-finance managers understand budgets and performance.
• Promote a culture of financial responsibility while maintaining the organisation’s commitment to excellent care.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role, ideally as a Finance Director, Head of Finance, or Financial Controller.
• A recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA, or equivalent relevant expertise.
• Strong knowledge of financial management, budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, and financial reporting.
• Experience in financial planning, cash flow management, cost control, and financial risk assessment.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and developing a finance team.
• Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to translate financial information into practical business decisions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, accuracy, and professional conduct.
• Proficiency in financial systems, accounting software, and Microsoft Excel.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience within health and social care, residential care, nursing homes, domiciliary care, supported living, or a related healthcare setting.
• Understanding of care-sector funding, local authority commissioning, NHS contracts, fee structures, and occupancy or service utilisation.
• Experience managing multi-site budgets and complex operational costs.
• Knowledge of CQC-regulated services and the financial implications of regulatory compliance.
• Experience supporting organisational growth, restructuring, acquisitions, or service development.
• Experience presenting financial information and strategic recommendations to a Board of Directors.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will be:

• Strategic, commercially aware, and forward-thinking.
• Proactive and confident in challenging financial decisions constructively.
• Highly organised, with exceptional attention to detail.
• A strong leader who can motivate teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Committed to ethical financial management and responsible use of resources.
• Passionate about supporting sustainable, high-quality health and social care services.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• The opportunity to shape and influence the organisation’s financial strategy.
• A senior leadership role with significant responsibility and autonomy.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A collaborative working environment with a focus on continuous improvement.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the sustainability and quality of health and social care services.