Director - Finance Centre of Excellence

Job description

The Team

We have a clear vision of being the market-leading Finance Centre of Excellence for deals.  We are deal experts who specialise in the finance function, and aim to be the first choice for client finance teams through all types of transactions (separations, integrations, joint ventures, single asset deals, finance function assessments, and IPOs) in corporate and PE environments.  The team deals with all aspects of operational finance function issues in deals such as standalone or integrating finance functions, operating models, governance, reporting and MI, core processes/ TSAs, and systems changes. 
We have brought together professionals from diverse backgrounds in industry and deals consulting, who provide constructive challenge, holistic support and proven frameworks to help clients protect and create value across the entire lifecycle.

The Role 

As a Director in the Finance Centre of Excellence you will play a senior leadership role in shaping, delivering, and growing our finance-focused deal advisory propositions. You will lead complex, high pressure, multi workstream engagements, working directly with CFOs and finance leadership teams on both the buy-side and sell-side to design, plan, and execute finance workstreams within transaction environments.

You will be accountable for leading engagement teams, serving as a trusted advisor to clients, applying our methodology and best practices, and overseeing the deliverables, quality and commercial success of projects. You will also lead business development for key pursuits/ sectors/ accounts, proposition building, and the growth of our people and culture.

Roles & Responsibilities 

Client Delivery & Leadership
• Lead end to end finance support across the deal lifecycle, often as part of a wider deal teams, shaping our support and ensuring delivery excellence.
• Serve as a key advisor to CFOs and senior finance stakeholders in different sectors, providing challenge, insight, and practical direction during high pressure deal environments
• Collaborate with multi workstream delivery teams often across multiple geographies, ensuring coordination, quality assurance, and value across finance workstreams.
• Lead and review separation/ integration planning, operating model design, and deal driven finance change outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with clients across sectors, as well as other advisory firms involved in deals (e.g. legal, banking, technology).

People Leadership
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for senior managers and below team members, fostering a high performing, collaborative and supportive team culture.
• Drive capability development within the Finance CoE, helping colleagues grow expertise across deal execution, finance operations, core processes and consulting skills
• Promote the values of inclusion, agility, and personal development reflected in the firm’s ‘Our Deal’ and ‘The Academy’ commitments.

Market & Proposition Development
• Innovate, shape and expand Finance CoE propositions in integration, separation, finance function assessments, cutover and operating model design.
• Drive business development efforts, including proposal leadership, origination conversations, and building long term client relationships.
• Contribute thought leadership on future trends in finance functions, disruptive technologies, data driven insight, and leading practice in deal-related finance transformation.

The Person 

This Director role builds on the core skills expected of CoE Managers, with deeper experience, stronger leadership expectations, and higher commercial accountability. Based on the capability profile within the file:

Skills, Qualifications & Experience 

Essential Experience 
• Extensive background in management consulting or significant senior operational finance experience in industry.
• Proven track record leading large scale finance transformations, integrations, separations, carve outs, or organisational change within finance/back office environments.
• Experience working across core finance processes (Record to Report, Procure to Pay, Order to Cash), with strong understanding of finance function structures, controls, systems, and performance metrics.
• Strong commercial acumen and financial awareness, including experience managing financial models, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business partnering.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in high pressure, ambiguous, and fast paced deal environments.

Preferred Qualifications
• Professional qualification (ACA, CIMA, MBA, or equivalent).
• Deep understanding of leading practice in finance transformation, operating model redesign, and the impact of digital/disruptive technologies on finance.
• Strong M&A interest and experience, with exposure to buy-side and sell-side finance issues.

Core Competences
• Outstanding client relationship skills, executive presence, and communication capability (oral and written).
• Exceptional problem solving, analytical thinking, and structured report writing.
• Ability to inspire teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver confidently under pressure.

Working Environment

You will work with a global client portfolio, often at client sites, with projects ranging from a few weeks to longer engagements. Flexible working options are supported, reflecting the firm’s commitment to agile working, inclusion, and tailored career development.