At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and mentor the finance team during a critical transformation phase.
- Company: Join a dynamic, private equity-backed Group in South Wales with growth ambitions.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate and the chance to leave a lasting impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for occasional travel to London and collaboration with an engaged Board.
- Why this job: Shape financial strategy and develop future leaders in a fast-growing sector.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with CFO experience in private equity or turnaround environments.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
FD Recruit are seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer, 2-3 days per week for 6 months, based in South Wales (WITH OCCASSIONAL TRAVEL TO London for Board Meetings) to support a PE backed Group on a consultancy basis during a critical phase of transformation and growth.
Working closely with the Group CEO, Board and shareholders, you will provide strategic financial leadership, strengthen the finance function and support the delivery of the Group's value creation plan.
This engagement is ideally suited to an experienced CFO who has successfully supported private equity-backed, lender-owned or turnaround businesses and enjoys combining strategic advice with hands-on financial leadership.
A key objective of the engagement will be to mentor and develop the existing Group Finance Director, providing the coaching and support required to prepare him for the permanent CFO position.
The successful consultant will leave behind a stronger finance function, improved financial governance and a robust succession plan to support the Group's long-term ambitions.
You will work collaboratively with the executive leadership team, private equity investors and lenders, providing independent financial expertise while helping to embed investor-grade reporting, controls and financial discipline across the Group.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Finance Advisory
- Act as a trusted adviser to the Group CEO, Board and shareholders on strategic financial matters.
- Provide independent financial leadership throughout the Group's transformation and growth journey.
- Advise on strategic initiatives including acquisitions, disposals, refinancing opportunities and future exit options.
- Support commercial decision-making through enhanced financial analysis, forecasting and performance reporting.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability, cash generation and shareholder value.
- Private Equity & Investor Engagement
- Serve as the principal finance adviser in dealings with Private Equity investor and other key stakeholders.
- Prepare and review Board papers, management information and investor reporting to institutional standards.
- Support covenant reporting and maintain effective relationships with lenders, advisers and external stakeholders.
- Provide financial insight to support delivery of the Group's value creation plan.
- Cash, Liquidity & Financial Governance
- Provide oversight of Group cashflow management, including 13-week cash forecasting.
- Review and recommend improvements to working capital management and liquidity planning.
- Strengthen financial controls, governance and reporting processes across the Group.
- Support the delivery of accurate and timely monthly management reporting.
- Transformation & Business Improvement
- Guide the finance workstream within the Group's transformation programme.
- Review financial systems, reporting processes and controls, recommending scalable improvements.
- Support pricing, margin enhancement and operational efficiency initiatives.
- Provide financial leadership during acquisitions, including due diligence, financial modelling and post-acquisition integration where required.
- Finance Leadership & Capability Development
- Mentor and support the Group Finance Director, Financial Controller and wider finance leadership team.
- Recommend improvements to organisational structure, finance processes and governance.
- Share best practice to strengthen capability, accountability and commercial decision-making across the finance function.
The successful consultant will
- Mentor and coach the Finance Director across all aspects of CFO leadership.
- Develop board-level communication and stakeholder management capability.
- Build commercial, strategic and investor-facing experience.
- Create a structured succession and leadership development plan.
- Ensure an effective knowledge transfer and smooth transition at the conclusion of the engagement.
About You
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
- Significant experience operating as CFO or Finance Director within private equity-backed, lender-owned or turnaround environments.
- Demonstrable experience managing investor, lender and Board relationships.
- Strong expertise in cash management, financial control and performance reporting.
- Experience supporting finance transformation within multi-entity businesses.
- Proven ability to mentor and develop senior finance leaders.
- Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance strategic advice and operational delivery.
- Comfortable working primarily from Cardiff with occasional travel to London.
- Building services, engineering, construction, facilities management, renewable energy or infrastructure sectors.
- Buy-and-build strategies and acquisition integration.
- Exit readiness and sale processes.
- Experience operating within Topco, Midco and Bidco structures.
Why This Engagement?
This consultancy provides an opportunity to make a significant impact within an ambitious, private equity-backed Group operating in one of the UK's fastest-growing sectors.
Working alongside an experienced executive team, an engaged Board and PE Investor, you will help shape the Group's financial strategy while supporting the development of its future CFO.
Beyond delivering strategic financial leadership, this engagement offers the opportunity to leave a legacy by strengthening the finance function, embedding investor-grade governance and helping prepare the business for its next phase of growth and value creation.
- Very competitive day rate is dependent on experience
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Chief Financial Officer in Cardiff employer: FD Recruit
FD Recruit is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Wolverhampton that fosters innovation and strategic thinking. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and leadership training, ensuring our team members thrive in their careers. Our collaborative culture encourages open communication and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful financial strategies that drive the company's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Cardiff
✨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.
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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.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like FD Recruit. 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 Chief Financial Officer in Cardiff
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 FD Recruit.
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Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on FD Recruit'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 FD Recruit
✨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 FD Recruit.
✨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 FD Recruit 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 FD Recruit 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.
