At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial finance and procurement, driving strategic growth and performance management.
- Company: Values-led national organisation focused on sustainable outcomes and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £110k, flexible working, and clear career progression.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape strategy and lead a high-performing finance team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior leadership role with significant organisational influence.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and extensive experience in commercial finance leadership.
AtkinsClarke are supporting a large, values-led national organisation with the appointment of a Commercial Finance Director with a focus on Commercial Finance & Procurement. This is a pivotal senior leadership role with broad responsibility across commercial finance, performance management, procurement and strategic growth. Reporting into the CFO, this role sits at the heart of strategic decision-making and is a key member of the wider Finance and Strategic Leadership Teams. The organisation operates at significant national scale across multiple services and sites, supporting communities and individuals across the UK. With a strong social purpose and a clear long-term strategy, the organisation is focused on delivering sustainable, values-led outcomes while continuing to evolve its operating model, systems and commercial capability. Finance plays a critical role in enabling investment, supporting strategic growth and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
This is a highly influential role responsible for leading a large, qualified commercial finance and procurement function. You will provide strategic commercial leadership, ensuring financial insight, strong business partnering and robust management information actively shape decision-making across the organisation. Alongside ownership of budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting, the role will also lead procurement strategy through an outsourced partner, oversee supply-chain performance, and act as the financial lead on strategic growth initiatives including acquisitions, disposals and partnerships.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Strategic leadership of commercial finance and business partnering across operational and central functions
- Ownership of income & expenditure, cash flow and long-term financial planning
- Leading annual budgets, rolling forecasts and multi-year financial planning cycles
- Delivering high-quality monthly management accounts, insight and Board-level reporting
- Partnering with senior operational leaders to drive performance and values-led surplus improvement
- Leading procurement strategy, value delivery and supplier performance via an outsourced procurement partner
- Acting as financial lead on growth initiatives including acquisitions, disposals and strategic partnerships
- Supporting major change programmes, including finance systems implementation
- Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing finance team of c.12
This role is designed as a natural successor position to the CFO and offers significant scope for progression. We're looking for a senior finance leader with strong commercial instincts, excellent stakeholder skills and the credibility to operate at executive and Board level. You will ideally bring:
- A professional accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Significant post-qualified experience in a senior commercial finance leadership role
- Proven experience leading and developing large, qualified finance teams
- Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, performance management and Board reporting
- Experience within multi-site, complex organisations
- The ability to translate financial insight into clear, actionable recommendations
- Strong leadership presence with a collaborative, values-driven approach
- Experience within charity, housing, care or regulated environments (desirable, not essential)
This role offers a rare blend of strategic influence, leadership responsibility and future progression:
- Salary up to £110k plus benefits
- Senior leadership position with genuine organisational impact
- High visibility across Executive Leadership and Board
- Opportunity to shape commercial finance, procurement and growth strategy
- Involvement in major transformation and systems programmes
- Clear succession and career development pathway
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Flexible / hybrid working
Commercial Finance Director employer: AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsClarke is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Commercial Finance Director to lead a pivotal finance function within a values-driven national organisation. With a strong commitment to social purpose and sustainable outcomes, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and clear pathways for career progression, all while making a meaningful impact across communities in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Director
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like AtkinsRéalis. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to AtkinsRéalis.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on AtkinsRéalis's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AtkinsRéalis
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with AtkinsRéalis.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at AtkinsRéalis will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former AtkinsRéalis employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
