Financial Director

Forge Talent is partnering with a private equity-backed services business in Manchester to appoint a newly created Finance Director. This is a high-impact leadership role, working closely with the Managing Director and executive team to drive commercial performance, strengthen financial discipline and support the next phase of growth.

The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with a hands‑on approach, influencing key decisions while embedding a culture of accountability, performance and continuous improvement across the business.

• Act as the strategic finance partner to the Managing Director and leadership team, providing commercial insight, constructive challenge and financial direction.
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting and planning cycle, ensuring financial plans are robust, achievable and aligned to business priorities.
• Translate financial performance into clear, actionable insight that supports confident decision-making and long‑term growth.
• Improve profitability through strong commercial partnering, disciplined cost management and a relentless focus on margin.
• Review pricing, bids, contracts and investment decisions, ensuring opportunities are commercially sound and risks are well understood.
• Challenge thinking, identify opportunities to unlock value and influence better business decisions.
• Maintain a strong financial control environment, ensuring accurate reporting, effective governance and compliance with finance standards.
• Deliver meaningful management reporting and performance analysis, providing leadership with clear visibility of business performance.
• Drive improvements in cash generation through effective working capital management, WIP control, debtor performance and cash conversion.
• Champion initiatives that increase profitability, reduce inefficiencies and improve overall business performance.
• Establish meaningful financial and operational KPIs that provide clarity, accountability and timely insight.
• Roll up your sleeves to resolve commercial and financial challenges, working alongside operational leaders to deliver lasting improvements.
• Build trusted relationships across Finance, Operations and Commercial, creating alignment around shared business goals.
• Promote a culture of ownership, commercial awareness, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Coach, support and develop teams, setting high standards and creating an environment where people can thrive.

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Minimum five years' experience in a Finance Director or comparable senior finance leadership role.
• Previous experience working within a private equity-backed business.
• Proven track record of leading and developing high‑performing finance teams.
• Commercially astute with the confidence to influence, challenge and partner with senior stakeholders.
• Hands‑on, proactive leader who is equally comfortable operating strategically and delivering operationally.

• 10% annual bonus.
• 3x salary death in service.
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.