Financial Director

Direct message the job poster from Provallar Executive Search

Helping CXOs Develop their careers and teams

Location: London

Excellent salary + Bonus + Benefits

A leading global outdoor lifestyle brand with strong European distribution and a loyal international following is seeking a Finance Director to lead the finance function and partner closely with the senior team as the business continues to scale.

This is a pivotal finance leadership role within a high-growth, product-driven environment. The Finance Director will own financial governance, planning and operational performance across the UK and Europe, shaping commercial decisions on pricing, margin, investment and supply chain.

The Opportunity

A hands‑on role for a finance leader with the pace, precision and commercial sharpness to guide a multi‑entity organisation. The remit spans financial control, FP&A, treasury, compliance and systems improvement, working closely with senior leadership to drive profitability and strengthen operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Commercial Finance

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and long‑term financial planning.
• Drive margin expansion, pricing strength and commercial optimisation.
• Produce board‑level reporting packs and decision‑shaping financial insight.
• Build forecasting models and scenario planning frameworks to inform growth decisions.

European Multi‑Entity Structure

• Strengthen close cycles, consolidations and intercompany accounting.
• Develop scalable controls, processes and reporting frameworks across all jurisdictions.

Wholesale + D2C Model

• Manage a business fuelled predominantly by wholesale distribution, with a growing direct‑to‑consumer channel.
• Balance long‑standing wholesale partnerships with D2C profitability potential.
• Guide cost‑to‐serve discipline, channel margin evaluation and strategic channel mix.

VAT, Reporting & Compliance

• Maintain rigorous oversight of UK and continental VAT, including German compliance.
• Ensure accurate reporting, audit readiness and regulatory alignment.
• Reduce risk, strengthen governance and eliminate weaknesses in historic controls.

Working Capital, Treasury & Systems

• Lead cashflow, working capital and treasury management.
• Oversee credit risk, stock valuation and financing structures.
• Rebuild control frameworks, upgrade systems and drive automation.
• Improve reporting visibility, accuracy and decision‑making speed.

Leadership & Business Partnering

• Build and develop a high‑performing finance team.
• Partner with senior leadership across Commercial, Sales, Product & Supply Chain.
• Contribute to investor reporting, strategic initiatives and operational decision‑making.
• Visibility at group level with influence over new market, channel and product expansion.

What We Are Looking For

• Proven background as a Finance Director, Group Financial Controller, or similar senior finance leader within a fast‑moving, multi‑entity environment.
• Team building and Team Management.
• Strong technical accounting foundation with cross‑border / international exposure.
• Experience in outdoor, activewear, sportswear or B2B fashion wholesale is a strong advantage.
• Confident partnering with senior stakeholders, advisors, and auditors.
• Process‑driven, proactive, forward‑thinking, and comfortable taking ownership.
• Hands‑on problem solver with strong commercial awareness.
• Advanced Excel skills; familiarity with ERPs such as Sage, SAP or equivalent.

Key words/Key Skills:

• Multi‑entity Consolidation
• European Finance Leadership
• Audit, VAT & Statutory Compliance
• UK VAT / EU VAT/German VAT / UK, USA, French and German GAPP
• Month‑end & Year‑end Close
• Treasury & Working Capital
• FP&A / Forecasting / Budgeting
• Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
• Cashflow & Treasury Management
• Controls & Compliance Rebuild
• Finance Systems Transformation
• Profitability & Margin Expansion
• Cost‑to‑Serve & Gross Margin Control
• European Market Finance
• Multi‑entity Business Structure
• Wholesale‑led Revenue Model
• D2C Growth Acceleration
• B2B vs D2C Channel Strategy
• High‑growth Consumer Brand
• Scale‑up culture / Growth trajectory
• High complexity finance environment
• Operational intensity
• Cross‑border accounting expertise
• Proactive
• European/International Experience
• German/French/Italian – language skill.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance, Accounting/Auditing, and Management

Industries

Sporting Goods Manufacturing, Wholesale Apparel and Sewing Supplies, and Wholesale Footwear