Chief of Staff to FD

At Northern Powergrid, we are seeking an exceptional Chief of Staff / Performance & Standards Lead to the Finance Director, operating at the heart of the Finance directorate and leadership team.

This is a high-profile role that combines strategic support, financial insight, executive planning, governance and stakeholder management. Acting as a trusted advisor to the CFO, the postholder will help shape the agenda, priorities and effectiveness of the Finance function whilst ensuring delivery of critical internal and external commitments.

As a key member of the Finance Senior Leadership Team, the role will provide strategic support, constructive challenge and leadership across a broad range of business and financial priorities.

The role will ensure:

• The FD is highly effective, prepared and focused on the most critical strategic priorities.
• Key deliverables are developed to a high standard, with a content-rich approach and supported by appropriate oversight and challenge.
• Executive, Board and Shareholder materials are consistently high-quality, insight-led and decision-ready.
• The Finance function and leadership team operates with clarity, discipline and accountability.
• Strategic priorities are translated into effective execution and measurable outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

• Act as a trusted partner and advisor to the Finance Director in planning, prioritisation and execution of key business objectives.
• Manage and coordinate competing priorities, ensuring focus on the most important business outcomes.
• Anticipate emerging risks, issues and opportunities and ensure the Finance Director is appropriately briefed and prepared.
• Represent the Finance Director in agreed forums and cross-functional discussions.
• Drive continuous improvement through Finance processes and ways of working.

2. Reporting & Governance

• Lead the planning, coordination and production of key submissions, and executive deliverables.
• Operate in alignment with corporate calendars, governance requirements and executive deadlines.
• Ensure all submissions are accurate, insightful, professionally presented and delivered on time.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs, providing challenge and oversight to ensure quality and consistency.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across Northern Powergrid, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and externally.

3. Executive Content Development & Communications

• Own the preparation and development of executive level materials on behalf of the Finance Director.
• Draft and shape Board papers, Executive Committee papers, shareholder reports, presentations and strategic communications.
• Create compelling narratives that translate complex financial, operational and strategic information into clear insights and recommendations.
• Ensure outputs meet executive and Board level standards in both content and presentation.
• Support with briefing materials, messaging and stakeholder engagement.

4. Strategic & Financial Insight

• Analyse financial, operational and strategic information to support decision making.
• Support development of business cases, investment proposals and strategic initiatives.
• Provide insight and challenge on business performance and emerging priorities.
• Translate complex information into concise recommendations for senior leaders.
• Identify opportunities to improve performance, efficiency and value creation.

5. Governance & Delivery Excellence

• Maintain oversight of key Finance and enterprise deliverables.
• Ensure governance processes are robust, proportionate and effective.
• Establish clear plans, milestones and accountability for critical activities.
• Support delivery of strategic initiatives sponsored by the Finance Director.
• Promote high standards of execution, communication and continuous improvement.

Experience, Qualifications & Background

• Demonstrable experience working directly with senior executives, ideally CFOs, Finance Directors or Executive Leadership Teams.
• Strong financial literacy with the ability to understand, interpret and challenge financial information.
• Experience coordinating complex executive deliverables involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Exceptional written communication skills, including creation of Board and executive level papers and presentations.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Advanced Office 365 skills.

Highly Desirable

• Experience within a Big 4 / Big 6 professional services environment.
• Background in CFO Advisory, Finance Transformation, Audit, Transaction Services, Deals Advisory or Strategic Finance.
• Experience supporting Board, shareholder or group reporting processes.
• Experience working within a regulated or infrastructure business.

External title:

Chief of Staff to the Finance Director

Internal title:

Performance & Standards Lead

This role is advertised externally as Chief of Staff to the Finance Director to reflect the nature of the opportunity and attract candidates with experience in executive support, strategic planning, governance and financial leadership. The successful candidate will be appointed internally as a Performance & Standards Lead within the Finance directorate, in line with Northern Powergrid's role framework.

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