Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing finance team and drive operational efficiency in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a large, innovative organisation in the professional services sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, car allowance, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by advising CFOs and leading complex finance projects.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in consulting or finance with strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Excellent career growth opportunities in a collaborative culture.
The predicted salary is between 130000 - 150000 £ per year.
The role of Director - Finance Centre of Excellence in the professional services industry involves leading a high-performing team, ensuring delivery of financial expertise and strategic support. This permanent position focuses on driving operational efficiency and offering innovative solutions in the accounting & finance department.
This opportunity is with a large organisation within the professional services sector, known for its commitment to innovation and excellence in accounting and finance. The company provides a collaborative environment and offers opportunities for professional growth.
The Role
As a Director in the Finance CoE, you will play a senior leadership role in shaping, delivering, and growing our finance-focused deal advisory propositions. You will lead complex, high-pressure, multi-workstream engagements, working directly with CFOs and finance leadership teams on both the buy-side and sell-side to design, plan, and execute finance workstreams within transaction environments. You will be accountable for leading engagement teams, serving as a trusted advisor to clients, applying our methodology and best practices, and overseeing the deliverables, quality and commercial success of projects. You will also lead business development for key pursuits/ sectors/ accounts, proposition building, and the growth of our people and culture.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end finance support across the deal lifecycle, often as part of a wider deal teams, shaping our support and ensuring delivery excellence.
- Serve as a key advisor to CFOs and senior finance stakeholders in different sectors, providing challenge, insight, and practical direction during high-pressure deal environments.
- Collaborate with multi-workstream delivery teams often across multiple geographies, ensuring coordination, quality assurance, and value across finance workstreams.
- Lead and review separation/ integration planning, operating model design, and deal-driven finance change outcomes.
- Build strong relationships with clients across sectors, as well as other advisory firms involved in deals (e.g. legal, banking, technology).
People Leadership
- Provide leadership, coaching, and development for senior managers and below team members, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and supportive team culture.
- Drive capability development within the Finance CoE, helping colleagues grow expertise across deal execution, finance operations, core processes and consulting skills.
- Promote the values of inclusion, agility, and personal development reflected in the firm's 'Our Deal' and 'The Academy' commitments.
Profile
The Person Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential Experience
- Substantial experience working in a leading consulting firm, Big 4, private equity or strategy / corporate development team with a focus on the finance function in industry.
- The candidate must have previous experience in consulting as well as industry. The latter needing to be in an operational capacity as 'Line Management'.
- Experience of leading mid-sized and large deal execution projects with a focus on CFO-relevant issues.
- Strong academic track record.
- Experience of managing or supporting high-value business development activities with C-level stakeholders.
- Demonstrable ability to independently generate sales opportunities, commercialise relationships with senior executives and maintain strong client relationships.
- Acting as the source of new business development initiatives and taking these from idea, through design and execution all the way to clients.
- Strong numerical capabilities combined with sound commercial acumen.
- Demonstrable ability to lead teams in high-pressure, ambiguous, and fast-paced deal environments.
- Evidence of strong problem-solving & analytical capabilities.
- Structured thinking skills combined with creativity.
- Ability to talk credibly with C-level clients on the key issues and value implications facing their business in a deal context.
- Ability to evaluate complex challenges and deliver insightful recommendations that can be practically executed.
Finance in Deals Experience
- Proven track record leading complex/large-scale finance integrations, separations, carve-outs, joint venture setup projects.
- Initiating marketing and sales efforts, proposals, scopes and pricing for mid-sized and large consulting assignments, preferably in the finance deals space.
- Evidence of designing work plans, team structures and then managing these to (i) excellent client output and (ii) strong project economics.
- This should include an extensive coverage of recent M&A transactions, e.g. Integration/ separation planning and execution, transitional service agreements.
- Deep understanding of issues and decisions in M&A deals which affect financial controls, governance and reporting on both buy-side and sell-side, from pre-deal to post deal and exit.
- Deep understanding of leading practice in finance functions, operating model design, and the impact of digital/disruptive technologies on finance.
- Deep understanding of core finance processes (Record to Report, Procure to Pay, Order to Cash), with strong understanding of finance function structures, controls, systems, and performance metrics.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional qualification (ACA, CIMA, MBA, or equivalent).
Core Competencies
- Outstanding client relationship skills, executive presence, and communication capability (oral and written).
- Exceptional problem solving, analytical thinking, and structured report writing.
- Ability to inspire teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver confidently under pressure.
Job Offer
- Competitive salary ranging from £130,000 to £150,000 per annum.
- Annual cash car allowance of £6,500.
- Bonus scheme to reward performance.
- Comprehensive pension plan.
- Private medical insurance (single cover) and life assurance.
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a leadership role in the professional services industry. If you are ready to make an impact as a Director - Finance Centre of Excellence, apply now to embark on this exciting career journey.
Director - Finance Centre of Excellence in City of London employer: Page Group
Contact Detail:
Page Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Finance Centre of Excellence in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your understanding of their business and how you can add value as a Director in their Finance Centre of Excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to drive operational efficiency, as these are key for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Finance Centre of Excellence in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Director - Finance Centre of Excellence role. Highlight your experience in leading finance teams and managing complex projects, as well as any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in finance and consulting, and don’t forget to mention your passion for innovation and excellence.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Director, leadership is key! In your application, emphasise your experience in coaching and developing teams. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others and foster a collaborative culture, so make sure to highlight those experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Page Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Director in the Finance Centre of Excellence, you’ll need to demonstrate your strong numerical capabilities. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how they impact business decisions, especially in high-pressure deal environments.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've led teams through complex projects. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, as well as how you’ve fostered a collaborative culture in previous roles.
✨Understand the Deal Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the end-to-end finance support across the deal lifecycle. Be prepared to discuss your experience with M&A transactions, integration planning, and how you’ve navigated challenges in past deals.
✨Build Client Relationships
Demonstrate your ability to build strong relationships with C-level stakeholders. Prepare anecdotes that showcase your success in generating sales opportunities and maintaining client relationships, particularly in high-stakes environments.