Chief Financial Officer

National Wealth Fund; Whitehall; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

National Wealth Fund Limited seeks a highly experienced Chief Financial Officer to partner with the CEO and Board on strategy, capital allocation and value creation. The role leads balance sheet management, governance, and external engagement with government and investors.

The CFO will shape financial strategy, oversee performance, and ensure sustainable growth for the Fund while representing it across government, markets and the wider investment community.

Qualifications

• Substantial CFO leadership experience in a major financial institution.
• Deep understanding of balance sheet management and capital allocation.
• Strong investment and commercial judgement across a portfolio.
• Proven track record as a strategic partner to a CEO, Board and Executive Committee.
• Experience operating in governance, risk controls and regulatory environments.

Responsibilities

• Advise the CEO, Executive Committee and Board on strategy, performance and value creation.
• Lead capital allocation, portfolio optimisation and balance sheet development.
• Drive reporting, forecasting and decision support for the Fund’s growth.
• Represent the Fund to Ministers, HM Treasury, regulators and investors.
• Ensure robust governance, controls and financial stewardship across the organisation.

Skills

CFO leadership

Balance sheet expertise

Capital management

Investment judgement

Strategic partnership

Education

Professional accountancy qualification

Job description

Shape the Future with the National Wealth FundAt the National Wealth Fund, our mission is to swiftly and effectively mobilise trusted sector insights and investment expertise to unlock billions in private finance for projects across the United Kingdom. Providing £27.8bn of capital and an expanded mandate, we are ready to help the market invest with confidence, continue to drive forward the Government's growth ambitions.We are looking for skilled and results oriented individuals who are motivated to help us build the National Wealth Fund into an industry-leading institution.We are delighted to be partnering with Russell Reynolds Associates in the search for this crucial role.HOW TO APPLY: Applications should be submitted to Russell Reynolds Associates directly at [e-mail] and should include:A current curriculum vitae outlining career history, relevant leadership responsibilities and professional experience.A supporting statement (maximum two pages) describing interest in the appointment and demonstrating how experience meets the published criteria.Location: Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days per week in the Leeds office.Deadline to Apply: 29th November 2026. Please submit a CV and supporting statement to [e-mail] quoting the search reference NWF CFO in the subject line.Reporting to: CEOContract: Permanent, Full-TimeRole PurposeThe Chief Financial Officer will be a key strategic partner to the CEO, Board and Executive Committee, helping to shape the financial strategy, performance and long-term sustainability of the National Wealth Fund.As both a Board and Executive Committee member, the CFO will contribute well beyond the leadership of the finance function. They will bring financial and commercial judgement to the Fund’s strategy, provide constructive challenge as its portfolio grows, and help ensure that capital is deployed effectively against the National Wealth Fund’s objectives.The CFO will lead across balance sheet and capital management, financial performance, governance and control, while ensuring that the Fund has the financial capability, systems and talent required for its next phase of growth.They will also be a senior external representative of NWF, building confidence and trusted relationships across government, financial markets and the wider investment community.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic and Enterprise LeadershipAct as a trusted adviser to the CEO, Executive Committee and Board on strategy, performance and long-term value creation.Support the development and execution of the Fund’s strategy, ensuring robust financial insight informs key decisions.Provide strategic leadership and challenge on capital allocation, portfolio optimisation, balance sheet development and investment performance.Identify and evaluate growth opportunities, strategic partnerships and innovative approaches to delivering the organisation’s objectives.Bring external market insight and commercial perspective to Executive and Board discussions.Commercial and Financial PerformanceMaintain accountability for the Fund’s financial performance, balance sheet and capital resources.Drive high-quality financial planning, forecasting, performance management and decision support.Provide commercial challenge and insight on major investments, initiatives and strategic opportunities.Ensure effective management of financial resources to maximise both investment impact and organisational performance.Develop reporting and performance frameworks that support informed decision-making at Board and Executive level.External Stakeholder ManagementRepresent the Fund with Ministers, HM Treasury, other government departments, investors, regulators and other senior stakeholders.Develop strong, productive relationships across government and industry.Act as a credible ambassador for the Fund within the financial and investment community.Governance, Risk and ControlsLead the maintenance and continued evolution of the Fund’s financial control environment and financial risk management framework.Ensure the organisation meets the highest standards of financial governance, reporting and regulatory compliance.Support the CEO in fulfilling their responsibilities as Accounting Officer.Act as Senior Accounting Officer for the Fund, ensuring all duties are fulfilled accordingly.Oversee the development of finance systems, controls and processes capable of supporting a sophisticated and growing investment institution.Enterprise Leadership and Capability BuildingBuild and develop a high-performing finance function capable of supporting a complex, commercially focused investment organisation.Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous improvement and value creation.Attract, develop and retain exceptional finance talent.Experience and CapabilitiesCandidates are likely to bring substantial senior finance leadership experience from a sophisticated banking, investment or other financial institution, or from an organisation with comparable balance sheet, capital allocation and investment complexity.We will be particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:Substantial CFO leadership experience, ideally gained as a CFO, divisional or legal-entity CFO, or in a role of comparable breadth and accountability within a significant financial institution.Deep understanding of balance sheet and capital management, with the experience to contribute credibly across lending, credit, equity investment and portfolio-level capital allocation.Strong investment and commercial judgement, with the ability to look across a portfolio, understand the interaction between risk and return, and provide constructive challenge on major investment and strategic decisions.A track record as a strategic partner to a CEO, Board and Executive Committee, contributing beyond the finance function to enterprise strategy, performance and organisational development.Experience operating in a sophisticated governance and control environment, with sufficient technical finance depth to inspire confidence with the Board and Audit and Risk Committee.Outstanding stakeholder capability, with the presence and judgement to represent NWF credibly with government, investors, financial institutions and other senior external stakeholders.Leadership of high-performing finance teams through growth or transformation, including the ability to develop strong capability and succession beneath them.Experience spanning both the private and public sectors would be valuable, but is not essential. We are particularly interested in individuals who can bring the commercial discipline and external perspective of the private sector while embracing the National Wealth Fund's distinctive public purpose.A professional accountancy qualification would be advantageous. We will also consider candidates whose depth and breadth of senior CFO experience provides equivalent technical and professional credibility.A career with us offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact and work on cutting-edge technologies that will drive the UK’s future. We value diversity in our people and inclusion is at the heart of what we do.We offer competitive benefits and unique learning opportunities from combining both private and public sector skills and experience. Please note, referencing and background checks are carried out for all roles here at the National Wealth Fund.