Business Unit Fiannce Director (Projects)

Cedar Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Project Finance Director role is with a PE-backed energy infrastructure group, based in London with UK travel. You will report to the CFO and partner with divisional MDs to drive performance, financial control, and post-acquisition integration.

It requires a hands-on, analytical finance leader with strong contract accounting expertise and a proven track record in fast-paced, project-based environments.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strong contract accounting experience.
• Experience in WIP and CVR processes in a project/contract environment.
• Proven business-partnering and leadership in a fast-paced, acquisitive business.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management of a major division in a contract-led environment.
• Oversee contract accounting, WIP management and CVR processes.
• Partner with divisional MDs and commercial leads to inform strategy and decisions.
• Own cash-flow forecasting and budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and reporting packs.
• Balance sheet reviews and input into bids and tenders.
• Provide clear commercial insight to senior stakeholders and support integration of acquisitions.
• Strengthen controls and governance across the division.

Skills

Contract accounting

WIP management

CVR analysis

Commercial partnering

Leadership

Forecasting

Education

Qualified Accountant ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Project Finance Director, PE backed Energy Infrastructure, London (with UK travel)

Salary £90-£100k + bonus

An exceptional opportunity has arisen to join a rapidly growing, private equity-backed infrastructure group operating across the UK's critical energy and power sectors.

The business is entering an ambitious phase of development, with a clear strategy to exceed £1bn in revenue through a combination of strong organic growth and continued acquisition activity.

This is a highly visible divisional finance leadership role within a commercially focused and acquisitive environment. Reporting directly to the CFO, the successful candidate will partner closely with divisional Managing Directors and senior commercial and operational leaders to drive performance, strengthen financial control and support the integration of newly acquired businesses.

This is not a traditional, desk-based finance position. It requires a hands-on, confident and analytical finance leader who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced, project and contract-based environment. The successful candidate will provide robust challenge, translate financial information into meaningful commercial insight, influence decision-making across the division and bring confidence and support to the finance team.

Based in London, with time spent at other UK business locations as necessary

Key responsibilities

• Lead the financial management of a major division operating across a large-scale, contract-led environment.
• Oversee contract accounting, including WIP management, and influence the Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) process.
• Partner with divisional MD's and commercial leaders to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Own cash-flow forecasting and drive the budgeting, forecasting and performance-reporting processes.
• Prepare the monthly management accounts and reporting packs.
• Manage balance sheet reviews and provide financial input into bids and tenders.
• Provide clear commercial insight and constructive challenge to senior stakeholders, including Business Unit MD's
• Support the financial and operational integration of newly acquired businesses.
• Strengthen financial controls, reporting processes and governance across the division.
• Identify commercial risks and opportunities across contracts and projects, getting to grips with complex and challenging contracts.
• Lead, develop and motivate a small team of qualified finance professionals, bringing confidence and support to the team.
• Build effective relationships across finance, commercial and operational functions.

Key requirements

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Strong technical understanding of contract accounting, WIP and CVR, gained in a project or contract-based environment.
• Experience working within a fast-paced and operationally complex business.
• A commercially astute approach, with the ability to interpret performance and influence senior decision-makers.
• A confident, analytical and resilient leadership style, with the credibility to challenge constructively, including at Business Unit FD level.
• Strong business-partnering skills across finance, commercial and operational teams.
• The ability to balance strategic leadership with a willingness to remain hands-on.
• Experience leading and developing finance teams.
• Previous exposure to a private equity-backed, acquisitive or high-growth environment would be advantageous.