Group Finance Director

About the job

We are working with a leading professional services organisation to recruit a Group Finance Director. This senior leadership role is pivotal in safeguarding the Group’s financial health, shaping its strategic financial direction, and driving governance across a complex, multi‑entity organisation.

The Group Finance Director will lead financial operations, strategic planning, and transformation initiatives during periods of growth and change, ensuring that the organisation’s finance function is fit for purpose, modernised, and fully aligned with business objectives.

This role is ideal for an experienced finance professional with a background in professional services and/or private equity environments, who combines technical expertise, strategic insight, and strong leadership capabilities.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute the Group’s financial strategy in alignment with long‑term objectives.
• Provide high‑quality financial insights, scenario analysis, and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes with consistency, rigour, and strategic alignment.
• Prepare and present detailed financial reports, forward‑looking forecasts, and Board‑level materials.
• Provide leadership and oversight on M&A financial considerations, supporting growth through acquisitions.

Mergers & Acquisitions

• Lead the end‑to‑end M&A lifecycle, including financial due diligence, modelling, valuation and integration planning.
• Oversee post‑acquisition integration to ensure alignment of financial, operational and structural objectives.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Oversee the FP&A function to deliver timely, accurate and insightful analysis of financial and operational performance.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation and enhanced data harmonisation.
• Manage rolling monthly and annual planning cycles with consistency and accuracy.
• Drive improved operating performance through KPI development, monitoring and analysis.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Design, implement and maintain robust internal controls, policies and governance frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, audit and tax requirements.
• Keep abreast of emerging US GAAP and IFRS standards, advising on business impacts.
• Manage relationships with auditors and tax advisors, ensuring audit readiness and high‑quality reporting.

Organisational Structure, Tax & Governance

• Oversee legal and tax structuring, optimisation of Group entities and investment funds.
• Ensure effective governance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions and entities.
• Partner with tax advisors to implement compliant and efficient tax structures.

Systems, Technology & Process Improvement

• Lead finance system and process transformation, including ERP/CRM integrations, automation, AI and workflow redesign.
• Modernise financial systems to support accurate reporting, operational efficiency and organisational scaling.
• Embed best‑practice technologies and processes across the finance function.

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Oversee Group‑wide cash flow planning, forecasting and optimisation.
• Ensure strong liquidity management, cash discipline and effective working capital processes.
• Provide analysis and reporting to support executive decision‑making and investment planning.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop the finance function, fostering a high‑performance culture.
• Support organisational transformation, guiding the team through change and growth.
• Mentor finance leaders and build succession capability within the department.

Stakeholder & Board Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Executive Team, Board, investors, auditors and other stakeholders.
• Communicate complex financial matters clearly and strategically to senior audiences.

Professional Experience

• Senior finance leadership experience, ideally within professional services and/or private equity‑backed environments.
• Proven track record leading financial transformation, system modernisation and multi‑entity/currency operations.
• End‑to‑end M&A experience, including due diligence, financial modelling and integration.
• Ex…