Finance Director

Nxtgen Recruitment Ltd; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-profile public sector organisation is seeking a Director of Finance and Commercial to lead strategic financial operations during a major transformation. This board-level position requires proven leadership in complex organisations, especially within the public sector, and full professional accountancy qualifications. The role includes compliance oversight and stakeholder engagement at a high level. Candidates should have experience with organisational change and strong decision-making skills. The role requires 2-3 days a week on-site in Cardiff.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading finance in a complex organisation, preferably in the public sector.
• Track record of delivering strong financial management and value for money.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams through organisational change.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance, Commercial, and Economics functions, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Provide financial guidance to the CEO and Executive Team.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial operations and service delivery.
• Champion evidence-based decision-making across major programmes.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial management

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

Decision making

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent)

Job description

The Opportunity

NXTGEN are recruiting on behalf of a high-profile public sector organisation who are seeking a Director of Finance and Commercial. The Director of Finance and Commercial will play a pivotal role in providing strategic leadership across finance, commercial, and economic functions during a period of major transformation. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Director of Finance and Commercial to operate at board level, influence strategic decision-making, and deliver real impact on a national scale.

This role is inside IR35 and requires 2-3 days a week on site in Cardiff.

Overview

As Director of Finance and Commercial, you will provide strategic leadership across financial, commercial, and economic functions, ensuring the organisation delivers effective governance, robust financial stewardship, and value-for-money decision-making. This is a board-level position where the Director of Finance and Commercial will act as:

• Lead Executive for the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
• Full Main Board member
• Accountable Executive for risk management and corporate assurance
• Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee and Commercial Assurance Panel

You will play a key role in guiding the organisation through change, embedding strong commercial strategies, and influencing strategic decision-making at the highest level.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance, Commercial, and Economics functions, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and government standards.
• Provide financial guidance to the CEO and Executive Team, supporting spending reviews and fee assessments.
• Act as corporate guardian for budgets and efficiency targets, ensuring compliance with Managing Public Money.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial operations, systems, and service delivery.
• Champion evidence-based decision-making and value-for-money across major programmes.
• Strengthen commercial acumen and embed effective procurement strategies aligned with government best practice.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government and external stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and accurate delivery of the annual report, accounts, and other statutory reporting.

About You

We're looking for a highly credible senior finance leader with:

• Proven experience leading finance in a complex organisation (public sector preferred).
• A track record of delivering strong financial management and value for money.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams through organisational change.
• Board-level influence with the ability to shape strategic direction.
• Strong knowledge of government standards, procurement, and Managing Public Money.
• A full professional accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Current SC clearance (or the ability to secure this quickly).
• IR35: In scope
• Location: Cardiff (2-3 days per week in office)