At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance team and drive strategic financial decisions for growth.
- Company: Market-leading British business with a commitment to quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Hands-on leadership role with significant impact on company strategy.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team at a pivotal moment in a thriving company.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in complex business environments.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
A market-leading British business with more than three decades of heritage, operating from a world-class, purpose-built facility in Lincolnshire. It supplies some of the UK’s largest retailers and has built its reputation on a genuine commitment to quality, innovation and sustainable operations. The business operates across two commercially distinct divisions. The first is established, operationally sophisticated and deeply embedded with its blue-chip retail partners – a genuine market leader in its sector. The second is where the next chapter is being written: a science-led platform with real commercial traction, developing specialist products in a purpose-built, compliance-grade facility.
This is a newly structured senior finance role, created to bring greater commercial depth and strategic rigour to the finance function as the business enters its next phase of growth.
What You’ll Be Responsible For:
- Leading and developing the finance team, setting the standard for accuracy, pace and commercial thinking across the function.
- Owning the monthly management accounts, board reporting pack and all financial reporting obligations, ensuring the CEO and board have the quality of information they need to make good decisions.
- Driving the annual budgeting and forecasting process across both divisions, with a focus on meaningful variance analysis and forward-looking insight rather than retrospective reporting.
- Acting as the commercial finance partner to the CEO and senior leadership team – challenging assumptions, stress-testing plans and bringing financial clarity to strategic decisions.
- Managing relationships with the business’ banking and debt partners, with a solid understanding of existing facilities and the discipline to manage covenant compliance and cash efficiently.
- Overseeing statutory reporting, audit, tax and compliance, working with external advisers where appropriate.
- Supporting the evaluation of capital investment decisions across both divisions, including business cases, returns analysis and post-investment review.
What We’re Looking For:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong track record at Financial Controller or Head of Finance level, ready to take the next step into a board-facing FD role.
- Someone who has operated in a business of genuine complexity – ideally with manufacturing, food production, life sciences, FMCG or similarly operationally intensive experience, though this is not prescriptive.
- A natural communicator who can translate financial complexity into clear, confident narratives for a CEO and board audience, and who is comfortable being the most senior finance voice in the room.
- A hands-on leader who takes pride in the quality of their team's output and invests in developing the people around them.
- Someone with the commercial instinct to look beyond the numbers and contribute meaningfully to strategic conversations, not just report on them.
Finance Director Designate employer: TipTopJob
This market-leading British business, with over three decades of heritage, offers an exceptional work environment in a state-of-the-art facility in Lincolnshire. Employees benefit from a strong commitment to quality and innovation, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic and ambitious team. The company fosters a collaborative culture where finance professionals can thrive, contributing to strategic decisions that shape the future of the organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director Designate
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent news, and how they operate. We recommend practising common interview questions and having your own questions ready to show your interest. Confidence is key!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance, demonstrate your financial acumen and strategic thinking. Use real-life examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve tackled challenges. We want to see how you can bring value to the team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director Designate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Director Designate role. Highlight your achievements in financial leadership, strategic decision-making, and team development to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re passionate about this opportunity. Share your vision for the finance function and how your background in complex environments can drive our business forward.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a natural communicator, it’s important to demonstrate how you can translate financial data into clear narratives. Use examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully communicated complex information to senior stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director Designate, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. This shows you can translate complex data into actionable insights for the CEO and board.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led finance teams in the past. Highlight your approach to developing talent and ensuring high-quality outputs. This role requires a hands-on leader, so be ready to discuss how you inspire and motivate your team.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the company’s operations, especially in manufacturing or FMCG sectors. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their business model and how you can contribute to their growth strategy.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice translating complex financial concepts into clear narratives. You’ll need to present information confidently to the CEO and board, so think about how you can simplify your explanations while still showcasing your expertise.
