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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, manage cash flow, and optimise financial reporting.
- Company: Join Cambridge Design Partnership, a pioneering innovation partner with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee ownership, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming a business while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven financial leadership experience and a professional accountancy qualification.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a multi-disciplinary team focused on innovation.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
This is an interim role up to 6 months, to facilitate a transformation and handover to the permanent candidate – the interim is welcome to apply. You will be working with excellent people, to rebuild and future-proof a fantastic business. This role is based on-site at our Cambridge office 4 days per week minimum.
Responsibilities
- Team Leadership: Manage and guide the finance operations team, ensuring they are focused on quality, speed and effectiveness.
- Cash and Working Capital Management: Manage and optimise cash flow to ensure liquidity and mitigate financial risk. Work with department heads to closely monitor and manage working capital, focusing on key areas such as work in progress, receivables and purchasing.
- Cash Flow Forecasting: Prepare and maintain accurate and realistic cash flow forecasts to provide insight into short-term and long-term financial positioning. Ensure the business has sufficient cash resources to meet its obligations. A functioning 13-week cash-flow is a priority.
- Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation of accurate financial reports, including management accounts and other performance-related metrics, ensuring timely and transparent reporting to senior management. This will be a first-time introduction of budget reporting, and the current management accounts template and process will need a complete overhaul.
- Year-end audit: Drive and successfully complete our March 2026 year-end quickly with limited issues.
- Systems improvement: Optimise an incomplete implementation of SAP by Design.
- Cost Control: Analyse the company's cost structure and identify areas for improvement. Implement cost control measures where necessary to support cash conservation.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced and hands-on financial leader with a proven track record of managing cash flow and working capital, particularly in ambiguous environments. Experience in consultancies, professional services firms or other project-based businesses would be advantageous. You will be adaptable, proactive, and capable of building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners. You will also hold a professional accountancy qualification: ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
About Us
Cambridge Design Partnership (CDP) is an end-to-end innovation partner, propelling global brands and ambitious start-ups to success. We build breakthrough products and services – from insight to ideas, prototypes to production – bringing innovation to life. Our teams are multi-disciplinary, uniting scientific rigor, design ingenuity, and engineering excellence for consumer, healthcare, and industrial clients. People-centred, deeply collaborative, and – above all – expert, we’re uniquely positioned to shape the future for consumers, patients, and industry. Even our ownership model is innovative: We’re 100% owned by our employees, ensuring an open culture and a total commitment to our projects’ success. Founded in 1996, c200-person business with locations in Cambridge UK and Raleigh NC.
Interim Finance Director employer: Cambridge Design Partnership
Contact Detail:
Cambridge Design Partnership Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Finance Director
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or industry contacts. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect interim role.
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with cash flow management and financial reporting. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you've tackled similar challenges – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Be Ready for Interviews
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common finance director questions and thinking about how you’d approach the responsibilities listed in the job description. Practice articulating your thoughts on cash flow forecasting and systems improvement – confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Cambridge Design Partnership and being part of our innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Finance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Interim Finance Director role. Highlight your leadership experience, cash flow management, and any relevant achievements in financial reporting.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your adaptability and proactive approach, and how you can help transform the finance operations team.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) prominently. This is crucial for us to see that you have the necessary credentials for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Cambridge Design Partnership!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cambridge Design Partnership
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Interim Finance Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed cash flow and working capital in previous roles. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to optimise financial performance.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a finance operations team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Think of instances where you’ve successfully guided a team through challenges or transformations. Highlight your ability to build relationships and foster collaboration within the team.
✨Prepare for Systems Improvement Discussions
With a focus on optimising SAP by Design, it’s crucial to show your familiarity with financial systems. Be ready to discuss any past experiences with system implementations or improvements. If you have insights on how to tackle incomplete projects, share those strategies during the interview.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Cambridge Design Partnership prides itself on being people-centred and collaborative. Research their culture and values, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for contributing to a positive work environment and how you can support their innovative approach.