Finance Director

The Job

On behalf of our client, we are seeking a Finance Director to lead the financial strategy of the organisation. This senior leadership role reports directly to the CEO and Board of Directors and oversees budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, statutory reporting, and the governance of finance, funding and administration functions.

The role requires a commercially minded and strategic leader who can support decision-making at Board level while ensuring strong financial control, compliance and continuous improvement across the finance function.

Responsibilities will include

Advise the CEO and Board on financial strategy, performance, investment and risk to support sustainable growth.

Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, management accounts, cash-flow plans and statutory and Board reports.

Maintain robust controls across banking, payments, payroll, procurement, debtors, creditors and financial systems.

Oversee education and training funding integrity, including reconciliation, audit trails and compliance with contractual requirements.

Drive financial modelling, pricing, profitability analysis and scrutiny of new programmes, tenders and contracts.

Develop efficient, scalable finance systems and processes, leveraging Sage and integrating with organisational platforms.

Lead, develop and support the Finance and Administration/Funding teams, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.

Support organisational governance, risk management and escalation of significant financial or compliance issues.

The Person

Our client is seeking a commercially minded, strategic leader with exceptional analytical ability, strong communication skills and high personal integrity. The successful candidate will be confident operating at senior level and capable of influencing key stakeholders across the organisation.

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

Senior financial leadership experience at Director, Head of Finance or similar level.

Proven expertise in budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, statutory reporting and audit.

Strong commercial acumen with experience in financial modelling, pricing and profitability analysis.

Advanced Excel and Sage proficiency, with the ability to lead finance and administration teams.

Desirable experience within education, skills, apprenticeships, training, publicly funded provision, not-for-profit or another regulated service environment and also ideal is knowledge of education funding and funding compliance.

Salary

£60-70,000

Benefits

23 days annual leave + bank holidays + 2-week Christmas closure.

End-of-year performance bonus possibility.

Employee Assistance and Health & Wellbeing Programmes.

Free on-site gym and cycle-to-work scheme.

Free parking and reimbursement of optical tests.

Monthly team meetings with subsidised lunch.

Team social events.

Profit sharing.

Regular 1:1s and opportunities for progression.

The Hours

Monday – Friday 37 hours per week

The Location

Bristol, with car parking + hybrid

Contract Type

Permanent