Chief Financial Officer

AR Hine Associates; Leighton Buzzard; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in the energy sector is searching for an experienced Chief Financial Officer in Leighton Buzzard. This pivotal role involves steering financial strategy, governance, and driving performance. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of executive experience, be a qualified accountant, and possess strong commercial insights. This opportunity allows for a significant impact within a purpose-driven organization critical to the UK's energy transition.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience as a CFO or senior finance leader.
• Proven track record supporting growth in regulated organizations.
• Deep expertise in accounting, financial governance, tax, and regulation.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Oversee financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance.
• Partner with senior leadership to drive performance and accountability.

Skills

Leadership and management

Financial strategy

Communication skills

Commercial analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

Qualified accountant; ACA, ACCA, ACMA

Job description

The Opportunity

We are partnering with a high-growth organisation operating at the centre of the UK's energy efficiency and sustainability agenda. With ambitious growth plans, the organisation is now seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to support its next phase of development.

This is a senior, board-level appointment with broad operational and strategic influence. The CFO will work closely with the CEO and COO, acting as a key strategic advisor and deputising where required.

The Role of CFO

The CFO will lead the organisation's financial strategy, governance and commercial decision-making. The role requires a confident, hands‑on finance leader with the ability to balance strong control with commercial agility in a regulated environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ownership of financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and capital planning
• Oversight of financial reporting, internal controls, audit and risk frameworks
• Supporting growth through commercial analysis, investment appraisal and potential M&A
• Ensuring robust regulatory, actuarial and financial compliance across the group and subsidiaries
• Partnering with senior leadership to drive performance, insight and accountability
• Acting as a senior interface with government bodies and regulators on financial and compliance matters
• Building, leading and developing the finance function, systems and capability

The Candidate for CFO

• Proven CFO or senior finance leader with 5+ years' experience at executive level
• Qualified accountant; ACA, ACCA, ACMA
• Strong track record supporting growth in a commercial or regulated organisation
• Deep technical expertise across accounting, financial governance, tax and regulation
• Commercially astute with experience assessing investment and acquisition opportunities
• Credible, values‑led leader with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Comfortable operating in complex, policy‑led or government‑influenced environments
• Must be comfortable working in Leighton Buzzard. This is essentially an office‑based role with some flexibility.

Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a highly influential CFO role within a purpose‑led organisation playing a critical role in the UK's energy transition. The successful candidate will have genuine impact at board level, helping shape strategy, strengthen governance and enable sustainable growth.