Director of Finance and Commercial in City

Aspect Resources; City; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agency is seeking a Director of Finance and Commercial who will provide strategic leadership and management of financial and commercial activities. This 6-month contract role offers a hybrid working model with 2-3 days a week on-site in Cardiff. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring robust financial stewardship while driving continuous improvement in operations, providing strategic guidance, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. A fully qualified accountant with experience in senior financial leadership, the candidate will demonstrate strong leadership, analytical, and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Senior financial leadership experience in complex organizations, preferably public sector.
• Proven track record in financial management and delivering value for money.
• Strong understanding of Managing Public Money and government functional standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of financial and commercial activities.
• Lead the Finance, Commercial, and Economics functions.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards in financial operations.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-Solving

Education

Fully qualified accountant (CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent)

Job description

Job Title: Director of Finance and Commercial

Location: Hybrid / Cardiff (2-3 days/week on site)

Contract Duration: 6 Months

Daily Rate: £(Apply online only)/day (Umbrella)

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

To provide strategic leadership and management of all financial, commercial, and economic activities within the agency. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ensures robust financial stewardship, effective governance, and value-for-money decision-making, enabling the organisation to achieve its objectives during a period of significant transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance, Commercial, and Economics functions, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and government standards.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to the CEO and Executive Team, supporting spending reviews and fee assessments.

Act as:

• Lead Executive for the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
• Full member of the Main Board
• Accountable Executive for risk management and corporate assurance
• Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee and Commercial Assurance Panel
• Act as corporate guardian for departmental budgets and efficiency targets, ensuring compliance with Managing Public Money.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial operations, systems, and service delivery.
• Champion value-for-money and evidence-based decision-making in all major investments and initiatives.
• Enhance commercial acumen and embed effective procurement strategies aligned with public sector best practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government stakeholders to support sound financial and investment decisions.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of the annual report, accounts, and other statutory reporting.

Person Specification

Experience (Essential)

• Senior financial leadership in a complex organisation (preferably public sector)
• Proven track record in financial management and delivering value for money
• Leading multi-disciplinary teams through change
• Strategic planning and board-level influence
• Building and managing diverse stakeholder relationships
• Shaping and delivering strategic direction
• Promoting operational and professional excellence

Skills & Abilities (Essential)

• Strong, visible, and inclusive leadership at board level
• Strategic, analytical, and critical thinking
• Clear communication of complex financial concepts
• Pragmatic problem-solving and business insight
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a high-pressure environment
• Skilled in negotiation and influence in complex settings
• Sound judgement in risk management
• Confident and credible strategic planning influence

Knowledge & Understanding (Essential)

• Deep knowledge of financial control, reporting, and performance management
• Strong understanding of Managing Public Money and government functional standards
• Expertise in high-value, high-risk procurement and emerging markets
• Understanding of commercial, procurement, and economics functions in a public sector context

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent) Essential
• Evidence of ongoing professional development Essential

Disability Confident

As a member of the disability confident scheme, CLIENT guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

Armed Forces Covenant

CLIENT is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

If you qualify for the above, please notify us on (phone number removed).

We will be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.

Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let me know.

To apply for this role please submit your latest CV or contact Aspect Resources on (phone number removed)