Financial Director in Bournemouth

Talent Finance are supporting a well-established, growing SME business with the hire of a Director of Finance. This is a standout opportunity for someone who’s ready to step into a senior leadership role with real influence, visibility and ownership. With a real chance to shape the function, drive meaningful change and play a key part in the next stage of the business journey. If you enjoy being close to the operation, building relationships across the business and improving the way things are done, this one is worth a conversation.

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Lead financial oversight across the group, ensuring compliance with shareholder, lender and regulatory requirements.
• Own month-end close across group entities, ensuring accurate, timely financial reporting.
• Deliver strong management information and KPI reporting to support commercial decision-making.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting, developing robust planning tools and long-term financial strategy.
• Oversee finance systems and reporting strategy to improve accuracy, efficiency and insight.
• Drive cost control and strengthen financial governance across the organisation.
• Lead treasury and cashflow management, improving forecasting and daily cash visibility.
• Manage external audit end-to-end, ensuring a smooth process and strong outcomes.
• Partner with the Board and senior stakeholders, providing clear financial insight and constructive challenge.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team, driving capability, ownership and continuous improvement.

The type of person who will thrive here:

This is a brilliant step-up role, but it needs the right person. We’re looking for a genuine people person, someone who builds trust quickly, leads with credibility and can bring others with them through change. You’ll be pragmatic, hands-on and confident taking ownership, with a strong track record of improving performance in fast-paced environments. Transformation will be central to the role, including ERP and wider business transformation, process improvement and automation. We need a doer, someone who can spot what needs fixing and move it forward at pace, without losing the human side of leadership. Ideal background will be within SME, retail, FMCG or similar environments, where you’re close to the detail but also thinking commercially and strategically.

Skills & experience:

• Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role (Director of Finance / Head of Finance level / Group Financial Controller).
• Strong technical finance capability combined with commercial insight.
• Confident influencing and challenging at senior leadership and Board level.
• Strong forecasting, reporting and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience driving continuous improvement, transformation and operational performance.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable working to deadlines and leading in a hands-on environment.

What’s on offer:

A highly visible leadership role with real influence, alongside a £95,000–£105,000 salary, a performance-based bonus, additional benefits, and a business that can offer flexibility and some hybrid working after probation. Talent Finance are committed to promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We assess all applicants on equal merit and do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.