At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and reporting for a dynamic, international organisation.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company with a strong focus on finance leadership.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, birthday leave, and wellbeing days.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for professional growth and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a high-level finance role with global reach.
- Qualifications: Must be a fully qualified accountant with proven finance leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Salary: £80k–£90k plus benefits (depending on experience)
Location: UK based (Hybrid), monthly meetings in Manchester and occasional overseas travel
Employment type: Full-time Permanent
Remote position. Group Director Finance reporting directly to the CFO. A high-impact opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and enjoys influencing strategic decision-making at the highest level.
Key Responsibilities
- Deputise for the CFO, providing strong financial leadership and continuity, including supporting Board and senior leadership discussions with clear financial insight.
- Lead Group financial control, delivering accurate, timely and fully compliant reporting across all entities and jurisdictions, with strong balance sheet integrity and consistent application of controls and standards.
- Oversee statutory, tax and compliance obligations across jurisdictions, proactively managing exposure and risk and maintaining high standards of governance.
- Provide commercial business partnering, strengthening pricing discipline and improving profitability across major bids, tenders and contracts through insight and constructive challenge.
- Lead financial planning and performance, delivering aligned budgets and forecasts with forward-looking visibility through scenario modelling and forecasting.
- Own cashflow and treasury management, improving cash conversion, managing working capital and multi-currency operations, and mitigating key financial risks including FX exposure.
- Ensure robust contract accounting and consistent revenue recognition across consultancy and government contracts, strengthening transparency and financial control across complex portfolios.
- Drive finance systems and process improvement, improving the quality, timeliness and accessibility of financial reporting and reducing manual inefficiencies.
- Build and lead a high-performing, internationally dispersed finance team, embedding accountability, commercial focus and continuous improvement across the function.
Requirements
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CAANZ or equivalent).
- Degree in finance, accounting, business or equivalent experience.
- Proven Group-level finance leadership within a multi-entity, international organisation.
- Strong knowledge of international financial reporting, control and compliance (IFRS) across jurisdictions.
- Demonstrable experience leading audit, statutory and regulatory compliance internationally.
- Expertise in planning, forecasting, cashflow and treasury in multi-currency environments.
- Strong commercial finance capability (pricing, modelling, contract risk).
- Experience leading high-performing, geographically dispersed teams.
- Track record delivering finance transformation and scalable systems/processes.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Birthday leave, wellbeing day and a day off for volunteering.
- Life Assurance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Salary and benefits package as per experience.
Group Director Finance in Manchester employer: Cognition Education Group
As a Group Director Finance, you will join a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that values financial leadership and strategic insight. With a hybrid working model based in the UK, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, offering generous leave policies including birthday leave and a day for volunteering. The company is committed to your professional growth, providing opportunities to lead a high-performing international team while driving finance transformation and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Director Finance in Manchester
✨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 on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and its financial strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready to show your interest. Remember, confidence is key, so believe in your skills and experience!
✨Showcase Your Achievements
When you get the chance to talk about your past experiences, focus on quantifiable achievements. We want to hear about how you improved profitability or streamlined processes. Numbers speak volumes, so let them do the talking for you!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only shows your enthusiasm but also gives you a better chance of being noticed. We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Director Finance in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Group Director Finance role. Highlight your leadership in finance, compliance, and strategic decision-making to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this high-impact role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced financial strategy and led teams in dynamic environments.
Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your qualifications! Being a fully qualified accountant is key, so make sure we see your credentials front and centre. If you have experience with international financial reporting, let us know!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognition Education Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Group Director Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've influenced financial decision-making in previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to deliver accurate reporting and manage compliance across jurisdictions.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so think about times when you've led a team or project successfully. Be prepared to share specific instances where you built high-performing teams or drove finance transformation. Highlight your experience in managing geographically dispersed teams and how you foster accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the company’s business model and industry challenges. Be ready to discuss how you can provide commercial business partnering and improve profitability through pricing discipline. Showing that you understand the strategic landscape will set you apart as a candidate who can influence at the highest level.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Given the dynamic nature of this role, expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential financial risks, cashflow management, and how you would approach forecasting in a multi-currency environment. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
