At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and governance for a global freight forwarding company.
- Company: Join a leading shipping and logistics firm based in Felixstowe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, private healthcare, and relocation support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with international travel opportunities and strong career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the financial future of a growing global operator from a key UK port.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in senior finance roles, ideally in shipping or logistics.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Felixstowe, Suffolk, UK - On-site with occasional travel to global offices
Reports to: CEO / Group Board
Department: Finance
About the Company
Our client is a global shipping and freight forwarding company with operations across sea, air, and road. Based in the UK's largest container port, Felixstowe, they manage end-to-end logistics for clients worldwide.
Role Purpose
The CFO will own the financial strategy, governance, and performance of the group. You will partner with the CEO and global leadership to drive profitability, manage risk, and ensure robust financial controls across multiple entities, currencies, and jurisdictions.
- Strategic Finance & Leadership
- Develop and execute financial strategy aligned to global growth plans
- Board reporting, investor relations, and M&A due diligence support
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for all entities
- Drive commercial insight: lane profitability, customer P&L, contract pricing
- Operations & Commercial Finance
- Oversee finance for freight forwarding: ocean/air/road margins, agent commissions, demurrage & detention
- Manage working capital: AR/AP, credit control, and cash conversion in a high-volume, low-margin business
- Partner with Operations, Sales, and Customs teams on pricing, cost recovery, and contract negotiations
- Optimize use of port fees, warehousing, and 3PL costs
- Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with UK GAAP/IFRS, HMRC customs/bond requirements, and global tax/VAT rules
- Lead audit, treasury, and insurance programs including marine cargo and liability cover
- Manage FX exposure across USD, EUR, GBP and other trading currencies
- Oversee AML, sanctions screening, and trade compliance controls
- Team & Systems
- Lead a finance team of X people across UK + global hubs
- Own the ERP/TMS/WMS finance integration. Drive automation and MI dashboards
- Implement strong controls across multiple legal entities and currencies
Key Requirements
- Experience
- ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified or equivalent
- 8+ years senior finance experience, with 3+ years at CFO/Finance Director level
- Proven experience in shipping, freight forwarding, logistics, or port operations essential
- Experience managing multi-entity, multi-currency group structures
- Track record of driving margin improvement and cash management in asset-light logistics
- Skills
- Deep understanding of Incoterms, freight rates, customs duties, and bonded warehousing
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to translate ops data into financial decisions
- Excellent communicator to board, banks, and non-finance stakeholders
- Advanced Excel + ERP experience. Felixstowe is an operational port environment
- Strategic thinker with strong governance mindset
- Able to travel internationally 10-15%
What's on offer
- Competitive salary: £120k - £160k + bonus + benefits
- Pension, private healthcare, and port location allowance
- Opportunity to shape finance for a growing global operator from a key UK port
- Relocation support considered
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer (Contract) in Felixstowe
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Headford Group.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Headford Group might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer (Contract) in Felixstowe
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Headford Group will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Headford Group. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Headford Group confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Headford Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Headford Group.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Headford Group that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
