Director of Finance Job Description: Finance Leadership Role

The Director of Finance is a senior leadership role for experienced finance professionals who lead financial strategy, reporting and governance. Candidates should apply if they have a proven record of directing finance functions, advising executive teams and delivering robust financial controls.

Director of Finance Job Profile

The Director of Finance provides strategic direction for the finance function and ensures the organisation maintains financial health, regulatory compliance and efficient operational performance. This role translates business objectives into financial plans, drives decision support and maintains strong internal control frameworks.

The post holder will partner with the executive team and board to inform strategy, manage capital and resource allocation, and deliver accurate, timely financial information to stakeholders. The role requires leadership of finance operations, oversight of reporting and stewardship of financial risk.

Director of Finance Job Description

The Director of Finance is responsible for developing and executing financial strategy, overseeing budgeting and forecasting cycles, and producing management and statutory reporting that supports executive and board decisions. This role ensures compliance with accounting standards, tax obligations and regulatory requirements while embedding effective internal controls and governance across the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead and develop a high-performing finance team, establish scalable processes and drive continuous improvement in financial operations. They will work cross functionally with commercial, operational and HR leaders to align financial plans with business priorities and to provide insight on performance, risks and opportunities.

Reporting to the chief executive or board, the Director of Finance will represent finance at senior meetings, manage relationships with auditors, banks and external advisers, and support transactions such as capital investment, financing or business change initiatives. The role requires clear communication of complex financial matters to non-finance stakeholders and stewardship of corporate governance responsibilities.

Director of Finance: Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of financial strategy aligned to organisational objectives.
• Prepare and present accurate monthly and quarterly management accounts and board reports.
• Manage annual budgeting and rolling forecasting processes, including scenario analysis.
• Oversee cash flow, treasury and working capital management to maintain liquidity.
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements and applicable accounting standards.
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls, risk management and governance frameworks.
• Coordinate external audit, tax and regulatory relationships and ensure timely filings.
• Provide financial appraisal and oversight of capital expenditure and investment proposals.
• Support mergers, acquisitions or divestments through financial due diligence and integration planning.
• Drive cost control initiatives and efficiency improvements across the organisation.
• Build, lead and mentor the finance team, setting objectives and development plans.
• Advise senior leadership on financial implications of strategic and operational decisions.
• Define and implement financial policies, procedures and reporting standards.
• Maintain effective stakeholder engagement with executive leaders, the board and external partners.

Director of Finance: Requirements and Qualifications

• Degree in finance, accounting, economics or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or equivalent.
• Significant senior finance experience, typically eight or more years in progressive roles.
• Proven experience of financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Strong knowledge of accounting standards, statutory reporting and corporate governance.
• Demonstrable leadership skills with experience of building and developing teams.
• Excellent analytical and commercial acumen with attention to detail.
• Effective communicator able to present complex financial information to non-finance audiences.
• Experience managing auditors, tax advisers, lenders or other external stakeholders.
• Track record of implementing process improvements and financial controls.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and influence at senior levels.
• High ethical standards and commitment to regulatory compliance and risk management.