Finance Director – Private Equity-Backed Financial Services Group
Location: West Yorkshire (Hybrid working – 4–5 days per week on site initially, moving to c.3–4 days)
Package: Up to £100,000 base + Bonus + Pension +Benefits
About the Role:
We are supporting the appointment of a Finance Director for a private equity-backed financial services and debt management business undergoing significant transformation following a recent acquisition by an international listed group.
This is a highly visible and broad FD role, acting as the number one finance leader on site, reporting into the Group CFO during an interim governance structure while the business transitions away from a standalone CEO model.
The business is entering a period of change, including integration into a wider European group structure, strengthening financial controls, and improving data-driven decision making. This role will suit a hands-on, commercially minded finance leader who is comfortable operating across both strategic and detailed finance responsibilities.
You will play a key role in stabilising financial processes, improving client cash control, and enhancing analytical capability across the organisation, while supporting SLT decision-making during a period of leadership transition.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Control & Client Cash Management
* Own and lead client cash reconciliation across FCA-regulated and SRA-regulated entities
* Strengthen financial control frameworks and resolve current reconciliation gaps
* Ensure accuracy and integrity of cash and balance sheet processes across multiple subsidiaries
Leadership & Business Partnering
* Act as a key member of the senior leadership team, supporting decision-making in the absence of a permanent CEO
* Report directly into the Group CFO within an evolving governance structure
* Influence senior stakeholders and provide clear, actionable financial insight
* Support transition of reporting lines as ownership structure evolves
Financial Reporting & Performance Management
* Oversee month-end close process under UK GAAP, with transition towards IFRS as part of group alignment
* Provide insight into performance drivers, margin trends, and cost management
* Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities
* Improve quality and consistency of financial reporting and insight
Pricing, Analytics & Commercial Insight
* Oversee pricing and performance analytics function (c.5-person team)
* Develop improved client profitability and commercial performance analysis
* Support use of data across customer engagement channels (email, SMS, letter strategies)
* Strengthen analytical capability across the business (currently underdeveloped FP&A function)
Finance Leadership & Transformation
* Manage a small but broad finance function including finance manager, clearing administrators, and outsourced providers
* Lead review of outsourced accounting model with potential insourcing strategy
* Strengthen controllership and develop more structured FP&A capability
* Support broader finance transformation across systems, processes, and reporting
About You
We are seeking a technically strong, commercially minded finance leader who is comfortable operating in a hands-on, evolving environment with significant breadth of responsibility.
You will be equally comfortable operating at board level and working through detailed financial and operational issues.
Qualifications & Experience
* Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
* Strong UK GAAP experience; IFRS exposure desirable (or willingness to transition)
* Background in financial services, regulated environments, or complex transactional businesses preferred
* Experience in both controllership and commercial/FP&A environments
* Prior experience in PE-backed or change-oriented organisations advantageous
* Ability to operate in smaller organisations with broad remit and limited infrastructure
Leadership & Personal Attributes
* Strong executive presence with ability to influence at SLT and Group level
* Hands-on “player-coach” approach, comfortable operating in detail when required
* Strong analytical mindset with ability to interpret complex and high-volume data
* Commercially curious with interest in pricing, customer strategy, and performance analytics
* Comfortable operating in ambiguous and changing environments (ownership transition, leadership change)
* Clear communicator able to simplify complex financial and operational issues
If you feel the above aligns with your experience, please do reach out. Unfortunately, due to a high number of applicants we shall be unable to respond to all unsuccessful applicants