Finance Director – UK & Ireland
Location: Remote, must be UK based
Day Rate: £800 to £1000 inside IR35
Contract: minimum 4 months, most likely 6 months
Morson is seeking an experienced Finance Director to join our CLIENT - a leading professional services firm supporting high-profile public and private sector infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally.
You will join the Senior Leadership team across its UK & Ireland Transportation business.
This is a senior executive role combining strategic financial leadership, commercial business partnering and operational finance management. You will drive profitable growth, improve financial performance and influence key decisions across pricing, market expansion, project delivery and business transformation.
Working closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team, you will lead financial planning, forecasting, cash flow, risk management and the development of a high-performing finance function.
Key Responsibilities
Finance Leadership & Performance
- Own monthly financial results, reporting and analysis, driving performance against plan across revenue, EBITA/NSR, operating cash flow and DSO.
- Lead forecasting, annual planning and financial outlooks, ensuring predictable results and clear accountability.
- Provide financial insight to senior leadership, highlighting performance, risks, opportunities and growth potential.
Commercial Strategy & Risk Management
- Identify and manage commercial and operational risks, protecting business performance and maximising opportunities.
- Shape bid strategy, contract profitability and working capital, ensuring robust risk, contingency and cash flow management.
- Partner with the Managing Director and practice leaders to drive profitable growth, pricing strategy and market expansion.
Project Finance & Working Capital
- Oversee project accounting, budgets, estimates at completion (EAC) and accurate month-end revenue recognition.
- Drive cash flow and working capital performance through rigorous WIP, accounts receivable, billing and collections reviews.
- Challenge project performance and balance sheet positions, ensuring appropriate provisions, contingencies and financial controls.
Governance, Controls & Compliance
- Champion strong financial governance, SOX compliance and adherence to the Sub-Delegation of Authority.
- Ensure robust project controls, accurate statutory reporting and compliance with US GAAP, UK GAAP, IFRS and company policies.
- Lead audit readiness and address financial and operational control risks.
Essential Experience
- 15+ years’ finance experience, including senior leadership of an operational finance function.
- Proven experience as a Finance Director or strong Financial Controller within a project-based, engineering, infrastructure or professional services organisation.
- Strong industry experience in a complex, matrixed organisation
- Experience operating as part of an executive leadership team and influencing business strategy.
- Strong commercial finance and business partnering experience.
- Extensive knowledge of project accounting, revenue recognition and contract profitability.
- Strong understanding of forecasting, financial modelling, cash flow and working capital management.
- Track record of improving profitability, cash performance and forecast accuracy.
- Experience managing financial governance, internal controls, audit and SOX compliance.
- Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate a regional finance team.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior decision makers.
Qualifications
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, or overseas equivalent.
- A degree in Finance or a related discipline is desirable.
- MBA considered advantageous.
Desirable Experience
- Big 4 trained / Consulting background
- Finance transformation, ERP implementation and process automation.
- AI and digital technology adoption within finance.
- Oracle and IBM Cognos / TM1.
- M&A, restructuring or business integration.
- Experience within a SOX-controlled environment.
*Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial telephone interview. If selected from the shortlist, a formal interview process will begin.
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Finance Director employer: Morson Group
Morson Group is an exceptional employer, recognised as one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, offering a supportive family-run culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. With 26 days of holiday, bespoke training programmes, and comprehensive mental health support, employees are empowered to grow and thrive in their roles, particularly within the dynamic Payroll team at our Salford office.
