Finance Director
Location:
Stockport
Employment Type:
Full-time
Department:
Finance
Reports to:
Chief Executive Officer
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced
Finance Director
to lead our financial strategy, governance, and decision support across the organisation. This is a key leadership role responsible for maintaining financial stability, enabling sustainable growth, and ensuring the business operates with strong commercial and operational discipline.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Governance & Control
* Oversee all statutory reporting, compliance, and financial controls.
* Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
* Manage cash flow, working capital, and financial risk.
* Lead relationships with auditors, tax advisors, banks, and other financial partners.
* Support the development of effective procurement and cost‑management practices.
Financial Planning, Insight & Decision Support
* Provide clear, actionable financial insight to senior leaders and managers.
* Translate financial data into understandable guidance for non-financial stakeholders.
* Drive improved financial literacy across the organisation.
* Develop and enhance financial systems, forecasting, and performance reporting.
* Improve modelling, scenario planning, and analysis to support strategic decisions.
Commercial & Client Support
* Support commercial negotiations, pricing, bids, and contract structures.
* Provide financial expertise in customer and partner discussions.
* Ensure financial models and assumptions used externally are robust and transparent.
* Build trust with clients through professional financial communication.
Strategic Leadership
* Partner with operational and commercial teams to connect delivery performance to financial outcomes.
* Contribute to long-term business planning and investment decisions.
* Ensure future growth is aligned with financial capacity and risk appetite.
Finance Team Leadership
* Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing Finance team.
* Promote a business-partnering culture within Finance.
* Continuously improve processes, systems, and controls to support scaling.
Authority
The Finance Director will have the authority to:
* Set financial policies, controls, and reporting standards.
* Approve financial assumptions used in bids, forecasts, and investment cases.
* Challenge or halt decisions that pose significant financial risk.
* Represent the organisation to clients, financial institutions, and auditors.
What Success Looks Like
* Reliable, trusted financial reporting and forecasting across the leadership team.
* Strong cash flow and working‑capital performance.
* Leaders making faster, more informed commercial decisions.
* A Finance function recognised as a strategic partner, not just a control function.
* Improved financial understanding and discipline across the organisation.
* Clear, predictable financial outcomes with minimal late surprises.
Candidate Requirements
Essential Skills & Experience
* Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
* Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role.
* Strong technical understanding of financial governance, planning, and reporting.
* Experience partnering with senior leadership and non-financial managers.
* Commercial acumen with experience supporting bids, pricing, and contract decisions.
* Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.
* Ability to lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team.
Desirable
* Experience in scaling organisations.
* Exposure to project‑based or service-led environments.
* Familiarity with integrated financial or ERP systems.