At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing finance team and drive strategic financial initiatives.
- Company: Join Sharp, a leader in finance transformation and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and influence on business strategy.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and transformation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance and make impactful decisions at a senior level.
- Qualifications: Qualified finance professional with senior leadership experience and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Location: UK (with travel to UK sites as required)
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
Department: Finance
Shape the Future of Finance at Sharp
We're looking for an experienced and commercially astute Director of Finance to join our senior leadership team. This is a pivotal leadership role where you'll combine financial stewardship, strategic insight, and commercial influence to drive business performance across the organisation. As a key member of the UK Senior Leadership Team, you'll work closely with the CFO and business leaders to improve profitability, support growth, optimise performance, and lead the continued transformation of the finance function.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead and develop a high-performing Finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and commercial focus.
- Oversee management accounts, general ledger, purchase ledger, payroll, expenses, fixed assets, stock management, and financial reporting activities.
- Provide insightful financial analysis and strategic recommendations that improve profitability, revenue quality, margins, efficiency, and return on investment.
- Drive customer, contract, product and service profitability analysis to identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and business case development across the organisation.
- Partner with senior stakeholders to influence strategic decision-making and operational performance.
- Ensure robust financial controls, governance, compliance, and audit readiness across the business.
- Lead finance transformation initiatives, including ERP optimisation, automation, data governance improvements, and enhanced management information.
- Manage working capital performance and contribute to enterprise-wide business transformation programmes.
- Deputise for the CFO where appropriate and provide leadership across the wider Finance function.
What We're Looking For
- You will be a qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant experience operating at a senior finance leadership level within a complex corporate or multinational environment.
- Proven experience influencing executive stakeholders and contributing to business strategy.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable business insights.
- A track record of improving profitability, forecasting accuracy, financial controls, working capital and reporting quality.
- Experience leading and developing finance teams through growth and change.
- Advanced analytical and digital skills, including Microsoft 365, Power BI and Copilot.
- Strong ERP experience, with SAP knowledge advantageous.
- Experience delivering Finance transformation and change programmes with measurable business benefits.
- Ideally, experience within IT Services, Technology, Managed Services or another recurring revenue environment.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management and organisational skills.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to play a critical role in shaping the future of our Finance function and wider business strategy. You'll work alongside senior leaders, influence major commercial decisions, and lead initiatives that directly impact business performance, growth and transformation. If you're a commercially minded finance leader looking for your next executive challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
Director of Finance employer: Sharp
At SHARP in London, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work environment. Our team-oriented culture encourages professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and mentorship, ensuring that our employees thrive in their careers. With competitive benefits and a commitment to work-life balance, SHARP is the ideal place for accounting professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in a supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Finance
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Sharp. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Sharp.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Sharp's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sharp
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Sharp.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Sharp will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Sharp employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
