At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial governance and strategic planning for a major construction programme.
- Company: Join a leading infrastructure and energy organisation shaping the UK's future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, generous pension, private medical cover, and flexible working.
- Other info: Opportunity for career-defining leadership and exceptional exposure in a complex, multi-billion-pound project.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a high-profile project with significant impact on the UK’s energy landscape.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience in construction or infrastructure.
The predicted salary is between 118000 - 118000 £ per year.
Robert Half are partnering with one of the UK's most significant infrastructure and energy organisations, currently delivering a nationally critical construction programme that will shape the country's long-term energy future.
As the project enters a major delivery phase following financial close, an exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Finance to join the senior leadership team. This is a high-profile role with significant visibility across Finance, Operations, Government stakeholders, investors, and executive leadership, offering the chance to influence one of the largest and most complex construction programmes in Europe.
We are specifically seeking candidates with a strong construction, infrastructure, engineering, or major project background who understand the financial challenges and governance requirements associated with large-scale capital delivery environments.
About the Role
- Lead financial governance, planning, forecasting and performance management across a major site delivery programme.
- Provide strategic financial leadership for one of the UK's largest live construction projects, ensuring robust financial control and value for money.
- Partner closely with operational leadership, project delivery teams and executive stakeholders to support critical business decisions.
- Deliver high-quality financial insight, cost analysis, forecasting and performance reporting across complex workstreams.
- Ensure effective management of programme costs, budgets, cash flow and long-term financial planning.
- Support the development of business cases, investment decisions and commercial proposals.
- Act as the key financial interface between site delivery teams, corporate finance, investors and government stakeholders.
- Drive financial discipline, governance and accountability across the programme whilst supporting the continued evolution of the finance function.
- Lead, influence and develop finance teams, embedding best practice across reporting, forecasting and commercial decision-making.
- Play a key role within the CFO leadership team, helping shape the future direction of the organisation's finance capability.
What We’re Looking For
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, ICAS or equivalent).
- Proven experience operating in a senior finance leadership role within a construction, infrastructure, engineering, or major projects environment.
- Strong track record of business partnering operational and project delivery teams within large-scale capital programmes.
- Significant experience managing financial performance, forecasting, governance and reporting across complex construction projects.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior executives, investors, delivery partners and government stakeholders.
- Commercially astute with the ability to challenge, support and drive performance across large project environments.
- Strong understanding of programme controls, project financial management, budgeting and long-term forecasting.
- Experience operating within highly regulated or complex stakeholder environments would be advantageous.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing finance teams within large and complex organisations.
- Demonstrable experience supporting major infrastructure, construction or capital investment programmes is essential.
Here’s What’s Waiting for You
- £118,000 base salary
- Annual bonus of up to 15%
- Generous contributory pension scheme (up to 7.5% employee / up to 15% employer)
- Private medical cover
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Flexible benefits package
- Extensive learning, development and leadership programmes
- Hybrid working model with flexibility between London and Suffolk
- Travel to Suffolk 2-3 days per week, with commuting and accommodation expenses covered
Why Join This Business
This is a rare opportunity to take on a career-defining leadership role within a nationally significant construction and infrastructure programme. You’ll operate at the heart of a complex, multi-billion-pound project, working alongside government stakeholders, investors, executive leadership and delivery partners to help shape the future of the UK's energy infrastructure.
The scale, complexity and visibility of this programme provide exposure to challenges and opportunities that very few finance professionals will encounter during their careers. As Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in driving financial performance, strengthening governance and enabling successful project delivery throughout a critical phase of construction.
For an ambitious finance leader with a strong construction or major projects background, this role offers exceptional exposure, influence and long-term career progression within one of the UK's most important infrastructure programmes.
Head of Finance in Ipswich employer: Robert Half
Join a leading infrastructure and energy organisation that is at the forefront of shaping the UK's energy future. As the Head of Finance, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and a flexible hybrid working model between Suffolk and London. The company fosters a culture of growth and development, offering extensive learning opportunities and the chance to influence one of the largest construction programmes in Europe, making it an exceptional employer for ambitious finance professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Ipswich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to key players. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their financial challenges and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their high-profile role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've influenced financial performance and governance in past roles. Highlight your ability to partner with operational teams and drive results in complex environments.
✨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 are proactive and engaged in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in finance within construction or major projects. We want to see how your background aligns with the specific challenges and governance requirements mentioned in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your financial leadership in complex environments and how you've influenced key stakeholders. This is your chance to shine!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you’ve driven financial performance and governance in previous roles. We love seeing quantifiable success!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Robert Half
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to large-scale construction projects. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets, cash flow, and forecasting in previous roles.
✨Understand the Stakeholders
This role involves significant interaction with various stakeholders, including government officials and investors. Research their interests and concerns regarding the project. Prepare to articulate how you can bridge the gap between finance and operational teams to support their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll be leading finance teams, so it’s crucial to convey your leadership approach. Think about examples where you’ve developed high-performing teams or implemented best practices in financial governance. Be prepared to discuss how you inspire and influence others.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex situations. Prepare scenarios related to financial challenges in construction projects, such as cost overruns or budget cuts. Outline your thought process and how you would tackle these issues effectively.
