Commercial Finance Director; Internal

Axis, part of Axis CLC, is a trusted property services specialist delivering responsive repairs, planned works, refurbishments and voids services across the UK. Backed by over 110 years of combined experience and the wider strength of Axis CLC, operating from 23 UK offices and employing more than 2,500 people nationwide, we support housing providers and public sector clients with high-quality maintenance and compliance services that help keep residents safe, properties well maintained and communities supported.

The Commercial Finance Director will provide strategic, commercial, operational, and financial leadership across London, Southeast and Midlands Business Units.

This role will ensure the delivery of robust financial management, actionable insight, improved decision‑making, strong commercial challenge, and enhanced operational performance. The role will partner divisional MDs and their Commercial/Operational teams while working closely with the Group CFO, Group FD, GFC, and Finance Business Process Improvement Director to strengthen processes, support month end, improve forecasting, create actionable insights, drive cash collection, and help create a scalable and high‑performing finance function.

• Act as the senior commercial finance lead for L&SE Responsive Maintenance, L&SE Planned Maintenance, and the Midlands Business Units.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to divisional MDs, enabling informed commercial and operational decisions.
• Lead commercial reviews, margin analysis, pricing support, and profitability modelling for contracts, frameworks, and bids.
• Drive performance accountability across divisions through robust KPIs, dashboards, and monthly performance reviews.
• Review of monthly management accounts and prepare business performance review presentations for all three divisions, ensuring accuracy, insight, and timely reporting. .
• Lead and challenge budgeting, reforecasting, and medium-term planning, ensuring alignment with Group FP&A principles and templates.
• Deliver clear, actionable analysis including divisional profitability, customer/job economics, contract performance, labour utilisation, and WIP/Aged Debt trends.
• Work closely with the Finance Process Improvement Director and finance teams to: strengthen month end processes; standardise reporting; improve data flow and system accuracy; optimise financial controls; implement Group standard FRS
  102 revenue and cost recognition rules.
• Work with Finance Process Improvement Director to identify areas for process automation and reporting enhancements (including Dynamics 365 F&O where applicable).
• Own divisional working capital discipline, ensuring tight control of WIP, accrued income (AI), and invoice timeliness, ensuring all AI is invoiced promptly, correctly, and does not age unnecessarily.
• Partner operational teams to improve cash collection, reduce aged debt, and strengthen billing processes.
• Support Group CFO with cash flow forecasting and scenario planning.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance Business Partners, Management Accountants, and Commercial Finance teams.
• Ensure finance acts as an enabler for growth, operational performance, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with UK GAAP/FRS 102, financial controls, and Group finance policies.
• Review financial risks and opportunities, presenting clear recommendations to the Group CFO.

• Strong understanding of management accounting, commercial finance, and strategic decision support.
• Deep knowledge of UK GAAP/FRS 102 and revenue recognition for long term and reactive/planned works.
• Strong understanding of working capital management (WIP, debt, AI, accruals).
• Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, scenario planning, and…