Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Finance and Resources

at Cystic Fibrosis Trust

🏢 About Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to cystic fibrosis, uniquely positioned to drive change through research, care standards, and direct support. Working here means contributing to tangible improvements in lives affected by CF while operating at a strategic level where your financial and resource expertise directly enables their mission of 'a life unlimited'.

About This Role

This Director role provides financial leadership while also overseeing IT/digital strategy (including the critical MS Dynamics CRM implementation by 2026), people management, and governance as Company Secretary. You'll impact every operational area of the Trust, ensuring resources align with their mission to support people with CF and fund cutting-edge research.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might begin reviewing financial reports for trustee committees, then shift to planning sessions for the MS Dynamics CRM implementation with the digital team. Afternoon could involve developing people strategy initiatives while ensuring facilities management supports both operational efficiency and staff wellbeing, all while maintaining governance compliance as Company Secretary.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who Cystic Fibrosis Trust Is Looking For

  • A CCAB-qualified accountant with 5+ years post-qualification experience who has operated at Board/Director level in a charity or mission-driven organization
  • Someone with proven experience leading both financial strategy AND operational areas like IT/digital transformation (specifically CRM implementations) and HR/people strategy
  • A strategic leader who can balance financial rigor with the compassionate, patient-centered approach needed in a health charity
  • An experienced Company Secretary who understands charity governance and can manage relationships with trustees, committees, and statutory bodies

📝 Tips for Applying to Cystic Fibrosis Trust

1

Explicitly connect your financial leadership experience to mission-driven outcomes - show how you've used financial strategy to advance organizational goals in previous roles

2

Detail your experience with digital/IT transformations, specifically mentioning CRM systems (MS Dynamics experience would be particularly relevant given their 2026 timeline)

3

Demonstrate your understanding of charity finance and governance by referencing SORP, charity commission requirements, or similar frameworks

4

Highlight any experience working with patient communities or health-related organizations, showing you understand the sensitive nature of CF Trust's work

5

Address all three pillars of the role (finance, resources/IT, people) in your application, not just the financial aspects

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience leading financial strategy in mission-driven organizations and how it prepared you for the Trust's specific challenges", 'Specific examples of managing digital transformations or IT projects, particularly any CRM implementation experience', 'Your approach to balancing financial stewardship with supporting staff development and diversity/inclusion initiatives', "Why you're personally motivated to contribute to the CF community and how your skills align with their 'life unlimited' vision"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → The Trust's current research priorities and recent breakthroughs - understand where your financial leadership would enable scientific progress
  • → Their 'Together We Will' strategy and how the Director role supports its implementation across finance, digital, and people areas
  • → The specific challenges facing the CF community in the UK and how the Trust addresses them through advocacy, support, and research
  • → Recent annual reports and financial statements to understand their funding mix, expenditure patterns, and current financial position
Visit Cystic Fibrosis Trust's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach the MS Dynamics CRM implementation to ensure it meets both operational needs and supports engagement with the CF community?
2 Describe your experience reporting to Boards/Trustees and managing governance requirements in a charity context
3 How have you previously aligned financial strategy with organizational mission in resource-constrained environments?
4 What strategies would you implement to champion diversity, inclusion, and staff development while maintaining financial responsibility?
5 How would you engage with people affected by cystic fibrosis in your role, and what considerations would guide those interactions?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing solely on corporate finance experience without demonstrating understanding of charity finance, governance, or mission-driven resource allocation
  • Treating the IT/digital and people management aspects as secondary to the financial responsibilities when they're equally important in this integrated role
  • Using generic application materials that don't specifically reference CF Trust's mission, strategy, or the unique aspects of working in a health charity

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Cystic Fibrosis Trust!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →