At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operations for an insurance distribution business.
- Company: Gerrard White is a dynamic consultancy in the financial services sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role driving growth and profitability in a thriving industry.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in financial leadership with relevant qualifications required.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a finance team and engage with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Gerrard White is currently seeking a Finance Director to be responsible for leading the financial strategy, governance and operations of an insurance distribution and broking business. As the Finance Director, you will ensure financial stability, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency while driving profitability and growth. This role also involves strategic financial planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement to support business objectives. You will be working closely with and also reporting into the central group finance team and the Group Chief Financial Officer. You will be experienced and know the dynamics of working with a trading business and work in close proximity to the business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Financial Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with business growth and profitability.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations to the CEO and Board to drive commercial decisions.
- Develop and oversee capital allocation, investment strategies and cost optimization.
- Lead financial planning, forecasting and budgeting processes for sustainable business growth.
- Financial Operations & Reporting
- Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports, including P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards (IFRS, GAAP) and corporate governance requirements.
- Drive operational efficiencies in financial processes, including revenue recognition, expense management, and cost controls.
- Manage relationships with auditors, banks and investors.
- Regulatory & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with regulatory bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and other relevant financial regulations.
- Monitor and manage financial risk, liquidity and solvency requirements.
- Ensure compliance with insurance broking regulations, including handling client money and regulatory capital requirements.
- Oversee internal and external audits, addressing any compliance issues.
- Insurance Broking & Distribution Financial Oversight
- Manage financial performance related to underwriting, commissions, fees and premium financing.
- Monitor broking revenues, insurer rebates and profit-share agreements.
- Develop pricing models and financial structures to optimize profitability in distribution.
- Oversee insurer and reinsurer relationships from a financial perspective.
- Business & Commercial Growth
- Work closely with commercial teams to develop financial models for new products, acquisitions, and partnerships.
- Support mergers & acquisitions (M&A) activities, including due diligence, financial integration and post-merger performance.
- Lead financial negotiations with insurers, partners and key stakeholders.
- Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising service quality.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to drive a high-performance culture.
- Collaborate with senior management across sales, operations, underwriting and compliance to align financial goals with business objectives.
- Engage with external investors, regulators, insurers and other financial stakeholders.
- Have the capability and credibility of working relationship with senior level customers and partners.
Key Qualifications & Experience
- Education & Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or a related field.
- Professional finance qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA.
- Experience:
- Minimum 10-15 years of financial leadership experience in wider financial services, retail banking or the insurance sector.
- Proven track record in financial strategy, regulatory compliance and risk management.
- Strong understanding of FCA regulations and capital requirements for insurance brokers.
- Mergers & acquisitions experience is advantageous.
Contact Detail:
GerrardWhite Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director - Distribution
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the insurance and financial services sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the role and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and regulations in the insurance distribution space. Being knowledgeable about current market dynamics will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial strategy and risk management in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led financial operations and compliance in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's financial performance and recent developments. Understanding their business model and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to their growth and profitability.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director - Distribution
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial leadership, particularly in insurance, retail banking, or wider financial services. Emphasise your achievements in financial strategy and risk management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your understanding of the role and how your background aligns with the key responsibilities. Mention specific examples of your past successes in financial operations and stakeholder engagement.
Highlight Regulatory Knowledge: Given the importance of compliance in this role, ensure you mention your familiarity with FCA regulations and any relevant financial governance experience. This will demonstrate your capability to manage regulatory requirements effectively.
Showcase Leadership Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've led finance teams and collaborated with senior management. Highlight your ability to mentor and develop talent within your team, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at GerrardWhite
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience in financial strategy and operations. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully implemented financial strategies that led to growth and profitability, especially in the insurance or financial services sectors.
✨Understand Regulatory Requirements
Familiarise yourself with the key regulations relevant to the role, such as those from the FCA and PRA. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would approach regulatory challenges in this position.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Finance Director, you'll need to lead and mentor a team. Prepare to share your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've developed high-performance cultures within finance teams in the past.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role involves significant stakeholder engagement. Think about how you've successfully managed relationships with senior management, investors, and auditors. Be ready to discuss your approach to building trust and collaboration with these key players.