Join to apply for the Head of Finance role at CF

Overview

Carnall Farrar (CF) is a growing consultancy which works across all aspects of the health sector from supporting the NHS to serving major life science companies. We are passionate about, and experts in, health and healthcare. Founded in 2013 we have grown to a core staff base of management consultants, technical consultants, a data operations team and corporate functions. We have a strong reputation with the NHS, and are actively seeking to spread awareness of our brand and offers across the health sector more broadly. We are highly regarded both internally and externally for the level of support and development we give our people. As a professional services business, CF has three primary assets – its people, its knowledge and its data and associated products.

Our purpose

To have enduring positive impact on health and healthcare.

Our mission

To be invaluable to our clients, supporting them to innovate and make lasting improvements and to build an exceptional company that attracts, develops, and retains a trusted and uniquely talented team.

Our strategic intent

We are focused on building the leading consulting company dedicated to the health sector. We serve the entire sector including healthcare systems (providers, payors, regulators), life sciences (pharma, biotech, devices, and diagnostics), health investing, health tech (data, digital and apps) and the wider suppliers to the sector (infrastructure, consumables and supporting services).

About the role

We are looking for an exceptional Head of Finance to join CF’s leadership team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our business.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role, ideal for a senior finance leader who thrives in a fast-paced, values-led environment. You will oversee all aspects of financial strategy, planning and performance, helping to drive growth, strengthen governance and ensure CF continues to scale efficiently.

You will act as a strategic partner to the Board and Senior Leadership Team, offering insight and challenge on everything from commercial strategy and pricing to financial planning and operational effectiveness. You’ll also lead and develop a small, capable finance team, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability and excellence.

The role

• Strategic financial leadership: shaping and executing financial strategy, supporting business planning, pricing models and growth forecasts.
• Financial management and reporting: overseeing budgets, forecasts, and performance reporting, and turning financial data into clear insight and recommendations.
• Governance and compliance: ensuring robust controls, accurate reporting and effective audit, risk and regulatory processes.
• Commercial support: partnering with consulting and business development teams to optimise pricing, profitability and use of management information.
• Continuous improvement: streamlining processes, improving systems and embedding data-driven financial decision-making.
• Leadership: developing your team and ensuring finance is a proactive, trusted partner across the firm.

About you

You are a qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA) with deep commercial acumen and proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally within a management consulting or professional services environment.

• A track record of using financial insight to shape strategy and drive performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable advice.
• Proficiency in financial systems (e.g. Xero) and advanced Excel skills.
• Ideally, familiarity with the healthcare or life sciences sectors, and experience working with management information systems such as CMAP.
• Track record of delivering data-driven operational decision-making, scenario modelling, and operational and financial strategy development.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, producing and presenting high-quality materials, ensuring often complex concepts are digestible to all.

You’ll be joining a collaborative, purpose-driven firm that is ambitious about its growth and proud of its culture. We’re known for our impact, our data-led approach, and our investment in people.

We follow a hybrid working model that balances in person connections and remote work to drive exceptional client impact. We enjoy working in person together with clients and colleagues and work where clients need us to be. In supporting flexibility and remote working, team members can work from home one day per week as standard. Additionally, we offer 44 remote working days per year which can be used to top up your working from home days and enable you to work from home up to two days per week - subject to client needs. Alternatively, you could use your allowance in blocks to manage school holidays or other commitments. Our core in person working hours are from 10am until 4pm allowing you that extra flexibility to manage your schedule in a way that works for you.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive culture where diversity thrives, and all our people can excel. We only recruit, promote and reward our people based on their skills and contribution, without regard to gender, race, disability, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or other characteristics. We are Disability Confident Accredited, and we want you to feel comfortable and able to perform at your best in the recruitment process, if you require any reasonable adjustments for any part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

• Holiday entitlement: 25 days/year for staff and 30 days/ year for leadership, increasing by 1 day for every year of service up to a maximum of 35 days of holiday per year
• We contribute 7% of your salary into your pension, while you contribute 3% (or more if you like)
• Access to a flexible benefits programme giving you the chance to increase pension contributions, gain access to a cash plan or benefit from a ClassPass subscription
• Annual leave purchase: employees with less than 35 days annual leave entitlement are able to purchase additional annual leave days
• Income protection: in the event of long-term incapacity and a qualifying claim, 75% of salary will be paid
• Enhanced sick pay benefit beyond Statutory Sick Pay for up to a total 12 weeks in any
• 12-month period Life insurance covering four times your basic salary in a tax-free lump sum payable to your beneficiaries in the event of your death whilst in service
• Enhanced family leave policies: additional pay for parents who have a baby or adopt
• Access to an interest free loan of up to £10,000
• Access to an interest-free season ticket loan, repayable by 12 monthly instalments
• Workplace nursery scheme: access to a scheme to help working parents save tax and NI on the cost of the nursery care
• Flexible working policy: including the ability to work fully remotely for up 4 weeks a year
• An employee assistance and wellness Program: including access to telephone counselling, life coaching, interactive tools online and digital content downloadable from Lifeworks
• Seasonal flu jabs: provided by Boots annually
• Eye care tests: vouchers and discounts at Vision Express
• Ride to work scheme, saving up to 42% on bikes and cycling accessories at Evans Cycles
• Membership to the Health Service Journal (HSJ)

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Finance and Accounting/Auditing

Industries

• Business Consulting and Services