Chief Financial Officer

SF Recruitment; London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading projects and professional services group is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join their executive leadership team. The CFO will oversee the financial health and performance, driving strategic financial initiatives and ensuring compliance across diverse operations. The ideal candidate has over 15 years in financial leadership roles and possesses strong commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Proven track record as a CFO or Finance Director in a complex business.
• Strong commercial acumen, especially in project-based businesses.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial strategy, planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Ensure effective financial controls and compliance.
• Provide strategic guidance to the CEO and board on financial matters.

Skills

Financial leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Budgeting and forecasting

Compliance and controls

Education

Qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join our executive leadership team at a leading projects and professional services group. The CFO will be responsible for overseeing the financial health and performance of the group, ensuring robust financial planning, governance, and control across diverse operations and projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial strategy, planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes across the group.
• Ensure effective financial controls, reporting, and compliance in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Provide strategic guidance to the CEO and Board on financial matters, business risks, and growth opportunities.
• Oversee treasury, cash flow management, working capital optimization, and funding strategies.
• Partner with operational and commercial leaders to drive performance, efficiency, and profitability across business units.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders including banks, auditors, investors, and regulatory bodies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team across multiple geographies and disciplines.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial systems, reporting, and business intelligence capabilities.
• Support M&A activity, joint ventures, and strategic investments as part of the group's growth agenda.

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with at least 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• Proven track record as a CFO or Finance Director in a large, complex business, preferably within projects, infrastructure, or professional services sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience supporting project-based, contract-driven businesses.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, manage risk, and support sustainable growth.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution ability.
• Integrity, resilience, and sound judgment under pressure.
• Collaborative leadership style with a focus on developing teams and culture.