Senior Director

Senior Director

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Accordion

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic finance transformations and optimise processes for private equity portfolio companies.
  • Company: Join a high-growth, entrepreneurial firm at the forefront of finance consulting.
  • Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while collaborating with top experts in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: 12+ years in finance, strong project management skills, and a client service mindset.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with extensive travel across Europe and opportunities to shape the firm's future.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.

We are the better way to work in finance. As private equity’s value creation partner, we sit at the heart of PE—where sponsors and CFOs meet. Through financial consulting rooted in data, technology, and AI, we help clients drive value—supporting the office of the CFO to drive end-to-end value creation. If you crave challenging work and are looking to grow, come solve complex issues alongside 1,400+ finance & technology experts in a supportive, collaborative environment.

As we build our European footprint, the London office presents a unique entrepreneurial opportunity to shape our presence and accelerate growth across the region—while benefiting from the support and stability of an established, industry‑leading firm. Backed by premier private equity firms and headquartered in New York with 10 offices around the globe, we are a high‑growth, entrepreneurial firm looking for people who want to be part of building something great. Come make your mark.

Transformation

With the increase in complexity of the business environment and transactions, CFOs of private equity backed companies are increasingly being looked towards to drive strategic insights for their business. Finance organisations are no longer simply result reporters, but rather, they couple these results with forward looking data to provide strategic insights which are leveraged to make business decisions. Efficiency of process and meaningful control environments allows for speed of financial reporting with increasingly accurate measures, leaving more time for the finance team to add future enterprise value, rather than look backwards.

Accordion’s Transformation Practice is comprised of a dedicated team providing strategic advice to support PE backed portfolio companies on a wide range of transactions and events, including profitability improvements, finance process optimisation, liquidity enhancements and digital transformation transaction. We are doers and problem solvers – making sense of complexity and bolstering sponsors’ value creation theses. This role will be based in our London office. Ideal candidates should be local to the desired location, with the flexibility to work remotely 1‑2 days a week, blending the best of both worlds for efficiency and collaboration.

What You’ll Do:

  • Work closely with other team members to serve clients within the office of the CFO of private equity portfolio companies, in the areas of finance strategy and processes improvements such as:
  • Capability and Maturity assessments
  • Operating Model Design
  • Technology Optimisation and Roadmaps
  • Design and Process Enhancement across areas including order‑to‑cash, procure‑to‑pay, record‑to‑report and FP&A
  • Assess and recommend change management processes
  • Drive initiatives to increase effectiveness, reduce costs and improve profit/shareholder value
  • Develop and implement KPI dashboards and tracking tools
  • Bring deep financial expertise and strong experience leading practices to engagements
  • Manage multiple client engagements at the same time, ensure projects are on track, manage client expectations and perform course corrections when necessary
  • Interact and build relationships with C‑suite personnel at portfolio company as well as representatives from Private Equity sponsors
  • Regular and extensive travel across Europe to work with clients in the relevant jurisdictions
  • Assist in growing the firm by identifying driving business development activities
  • Identify and sponsor internal initiatives
  • You Have:

    • Minimum 12+ years of relevant professional experience working in a client serving role at a top‑tier accounting or financial advisory firm, and/or mix of client service and private industry experience at a senior level
    • Proven experience successfully managing multiple projects at the same time, managing not only client/sponsor dynamics but internal team dynamics as well
    • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. MBA is a plus
    • A strong and up‑to‑date knowledge of strategic finance best practices specifically related to the professionalisation of the finance function
    • Subject matter expert in financial business processes including order‑to‑cash, procure‑to‑pay, record‑to‑report, FP&A, as well as other functions within the CFO’s portfolio
    • Extensive expertise related to the design and implementation of strategies, processes and technology which increase effectiveness, reduce costs and improve profit/shareholder value
    • Experience designing and enhancing financial processes including Finance Automation and Technology deployment
    • Experience performing financial and operational assessments
    • Experience driving strategic finance transformations
    • Experience working with Private Equity, with an understanding of the unique requirements of the Private Equity consulting environment
    • Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills
    • Strong client service mindset

    You Are:

    • A self‑starter with a strong work ethic
    • A leader of others; you lead by example
    • A strong team player, able to work with team members across all levels
    • Able to effectively communicate complex issues and solutions, and raise issues to senior team members when necessary
    • Comfortable managing projects with multiple complex workstreams while also focused on your single workstream (you are managing and doing)
    • Excited to be part of a growing team, with a focus on driving future growth
    • Full of entrepreneurial spirit and comfortable in a fluid, flat organization
    • Knowledgeable about the relationship between Private Equity sponsors and their portfolio companies
    • Passionate about delivering exceptional client service
    • Someone who enjoys mentoring others and doing meaningful work
    • Willing to get your hands dirty in the details of a project while simultaneously seeing the whole picture

    Accordion is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, or any other status protected under law.

    Senior Director employer: Accordion

    At Accordion, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the finance sector, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment in our London office. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for professional development alongside a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork. Join us to be part of an entrepreneurial journey where your contributions directly impact our expansion and success across Europe.
    Accordion

    Contact Detail:

    Accordion Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Senior Director

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and private equity sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Director role.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your past successes in finance strategy and process improvements. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them see how you can drive value for their clients.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in contributing to their growth. You never know when an opportunity might arise!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their needs, especially in areas like financial consulting and technology optimisation. We love candidates who do their homework!

    We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director

    Financial Consulting
    Data Analysis
    Technology Optimisation
    Change Management
    KPI Development
    Project Management
    Client Relationship Management
    Financial Process Design
    Finance Automation
    Strategic Finance Transformations
    Private Equity Knowledge
    Excel
    PowerPoint
    Team Leadership
    Client Service Mindset

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Director role. Highlight your expertise in finance strategy and process improvements, as these are key areas for us.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can lead by example. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects, especially in complex environments. This will help us see your potential fit within our collaborative culture.

    Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities: As doers and problem solvers, we value candidates who can tackle complex issues head-on. Use your application to illustrate how you've approached challenges in the past and the innovative solutions you implemented.

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all applicants efficiently.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Accordion

    ✨Know Your Financial Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your financial expertise, especially in areas like FP&A and process optimisation. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed projects in these domains, as this role demands a deep understanding of strategic finance best practices.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    As a Senior Director, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage client relationships. Prepare examples of how you've led by example and navigated complex team dynamics, especially in high-pressure situations.

    ✨Understand the Private Equity Landscape

    Familiarise yourself with the unique requirements of working with private equity firms. Be prepared to discuss your experience in this area and how you can add value to both the sponsors and their portfolio companies.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

    Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about past challenges you've faced in financial consulting and how you approached them, focusing on your strategic insights and the impact of your decisions.

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