Tailored to the experience and impact of the successful candidate. Remuneration will be discussed confidentially during the hiring process.
About the Organisation
My client is seeking a senior finance leader to transform a finance function that currently spends too much time on retrospective reporting and not enough on influencing strategic decision-making. Although the team is capable and the quality of underlying data is strong, existing tools and processes have not kept pace with organisational growth.
The organisation operates at scale within a regulated sector, with a large national workforce and a strong commercial track record. It is entering a period of accelerated growth driven by organic expansion and increased acquisition activity. The environment is entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and commercially focused, with a culture that promotes effective decision-making, low bureaucracy, and targeted investment in people and systems.
Key Responsibilities
* Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Commercial Finance will work closely with senior leaders across the organisation. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence at executive level.
* Modernising the finance function, enhancing its influence, and shifting focus to forward-looking analysis and decision support rather than retrospective reporting.
* Leading the implementation of new financial systems and tools.
* Overseeing the finance elements of merger and acquisition activity.
* Providing clear and consistent leadership to a capable but currently overstretched team, setting priorities and ensuring resources are focused effectively.
* Driving improvements to planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring they are robust, timely, and commercially grounded.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will have experience running or transforming a commercial finance or FP&A function. They will be a strategic leader who is comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and navigating ambiguity.
Industry-specific experience is beneficial but not essential. More important are strong commercial judgement, the ability to translate data into actionable insight, and a leadership presence that can influence effectively across the organisation.
This role demands someone who is proactive, commercially minded, and energised by change.
What the Role Offers
* The opportunity to shape and build a function rather than simply maintain one.
* Significant exposure to the executive team, with finance positioned as a strategic partner rather than a back-office service.
* Ownership of a major systems transformation programme with long-term impact.
* A growth-oriented environment with strong support for investment in people, tools, and processes.
Package
Compensation is flexible and aligned to the capabilities and experience of the successful candidate.
Location
The finance team operates across multiple sites. Senior stakeholders are increasingly based in a central office where key decisions are made. Regular presence alongside executive leaders is required to ensure alignment and effectiveness.
Process
The hiring process will include interviews with the CFO, senior members of the finance leadership team, and members of the executive team.
To discuss further please contact Lauren Harrison at Accountable Recruitment on 07731 356 287
Create a job alert for this search
Head of Commercial Finance • Southampton, England, GB
#J-18808-Ljbffr