At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and decision-making across Technology, Portfolio, and Marketing.
- Company: Join John Crane, a global leader in flow control solutions with a commitment to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values equality and ethics.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovation and growth in a dynamic global environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with extensive experience in senior finance leadership roles.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
- Slough, UK
- Full-time
- Company Description
John Crane, a business of Smiths Group, is a global leader in mission‑critical flow control solutions for energy and process industries that enable efficient and sustainable operations.
Our products include mechanical seals and systems, couplings, filtration systems, and predictive digital monitoring technologies.
We have a global network of more than 200 sites in over 50 countries and employ more than 6,000 people worldwide.
We partner with our customers to help them keep their operations safe, reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and meet the latest environmental standards.
John Crane is part of Smiths Group.
For over 170 years, Smiths has been pioneering progress by engineering for a better future.
We serve millions of people every year, helping to create a safer, more efficient, productive, and better‑connected world across four global markets: energy, security & defence, space & aerospace, and general industrial.
Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs approximately 16,000 colleagues in over 50 countries.
Job Description
We are seeking an exceptional Finance Director — Technology, Portfolio & Marketing to provide strategic financial leadership across our Technology, Portfolio and Marketing functions.
Reporting as a key member of the Finance Leadership Team, this high‑impact role will partner with senior business leaders to shape long‑term growth, innovation and value creation across the organisation.
The successful candidate will drive financial strategy, investment governance and commercial decision‑making, ensuring that portfolio choices, innovation investments, pricing strategies and marketing effectiveness are aligned to business objectives and deliver sustainable financial outcomes.
Leading a high‑performing finance partnering team, you will provide insightful challenge, robust analysis and strategic guidance to influence critical decisions, optimise investment returns and strengthen organisational performance.
This is an outstanding opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives in a dynamic, global environment and is passionate about enabling growth through financial excellence.
- Job responsibilities
- Partner with senior leaders across Technology, Portfolio and Marketing to shape strategy, growth priorities, and innovation agenda.
- Provide financial insight and challenge on key decisions, particularly around market investment, portfolio choices, strategic pricing and innovation strategy.
- Ensure strong alignment between commercial strategy and financial outcomes.
- Technology & Portfolio
- Own the consolidated view of portfolio performance, including product profitability, vitality, and product lifecycle value.
- Prepare financial analysis / business cases to support investment choices into new product developments.
- Ensure clear linkage between vitality metrics and long‑term growth, innovation effectiveness, and strategic objectives.
- Leadership of Marketing Finance
- Provide financial leadership in shaping and supporting the divisional pricing strategy, partnering with regional commercial teams to drive price optimisation, margin expansion, and value realisation.
- Oversee financial strategy and effectiveness of marketing investments, including ROI, channel effectiveness, and spend optimisation.
- Guide how marketing spend translates into growth, pipeline, and customer impact (not execution tracking).
- Investment Governance & Capital Allocation
- Establish frameworks for evaluating and approving capex, NPD, EPD and innovation investments.
- Set financial criteria, return expectations, and governance standards.
- Ensure consistency and rigour in business case development delivered.
- Oversee financial governance of the stage‑gate process for new product innovation, ensuring robust business case development, scenario modelling, and value tracking.
- Leadership of Finance Partnering Model
- Lead and direct the Finance Business Partnering structure.
- Ensure the team delivers strong forecasting, analysis, and insights, without owning detailed execution.
- Build a high‑performing finance capability focused on influence and decision impact.
- Financial Policy, Governance & Standards
- Establish financial policies, performance metrics, and governance frameworks across Marketing, Portfolio and Technology.
- Ensure alignment with enterprise‑wide controls and delegation of authority.
- Drive transparency, consistency, and accountability.
- Set direction on cost discipline across marketing spend, portfolio investments, and technology costs.
- Ensure clear linkage between spend and measurable outcomes (growth, profitability, innovation returns).
- Leadership & Organisational Impact
- Lead through multiple levels, developing finance leaders and strengthening overall capability.
- Contribute as a key member of the Finance Leadership Team.
- Drive a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Educated to university degree standard and holds a recognised accounting qualification (Qualified accountant – ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
- Extensive experience in senior finance leadership roles within global organisations.
- Strong background in commercial finance, FP&A leadership, and strategic business partnering.
- Deep expertise in marketing ROI, portfolio management, and investment appraisal.
- Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and shape strategic outcomes.
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish.
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age or any other legally protected characteristics.
We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support and embrace diversity.
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Financial Director - Marketing, Portfolio & Technology in Slough employer: John Crane
John Crane is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture in Slough that fosters collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, including training in advanced data analysis tools, while being part of a team that values proactive problem-solving and data-driven decision-making. With a commitment to operational excellence, John Crane provides a rewarding environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the supply chain sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Director - Marketing, Portfolio & Technology in Slough
✨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 John Crane. 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 Financial Director - Marketing, Portfolio & Technology in Slough
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 John Crane.
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 John Crane'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 John Crane
✨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 John Crane.
✨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 John Crane 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 John Crane 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.
