Finance Director

Talent Guardian; Hurn; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks' holiday

Electric car scheme

Job summary

Talent Guardian in Christchurch, Dorset, is seeking an experienced Finance Director to own the financial operations, lead budgeting and forecasting, and shape reporting, governance and compliance while driving strategic growth.

You will explore how AI and automation can improve finance processes, oversee audits, manage external advisers, and provide commercial insight to board-level decisions in a fast-paced retail/e‑commerce environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified professional accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with senior finance leadership experience.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting experience.
• Experience in governance, audit processes and financial compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day financial operations.
• Develop and deliver financial strategies to support growth.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Prepare and oversee accurate financial statements and management reporting.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and reporting requirements.
• Manage the audit process and liaise with external auditors.
• Provide commercial insight to support senior-level decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial controls, systems and processes.
• Drive use of AI/automation to improve finance efficiency.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Governance & compliance

Strategic thinking

Commercial acumen

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Location: Christchurch, Dorset

Salary: GBP70,000 – GBP90,000 per annum

Job Type: Full–time

The Opportunity:

We are recruiting for an experienced Finance Director to join a forward–thinking and growing business based in Christchurch, Dorset.

This is an exciting senior–level opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who can take ownership of the company's financial operations while playing a key role in its continued growth and development. The successful candidate will oversee financial strategy, reporting, compliance and governance, while also exploring how AI and technology can be used to improve financial processes, efficiency and decision making across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the day–to–day financial operations of the business
• Develop and deliver financial strategies that support continued business growth
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
• Prepare and oversee accurate financial statements and management reporting
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and reporting requirements
• Manage the audit process and liaise with external auditors and professional advisers
• Provide commercial insight and financial analysis to support senior–level decision–making
• Identify opportunities to improve financial controls, systems and processes
• Drive the effective use of AI and technology within finance, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and automation

About You:

We are looking for an experienced finance professional who combines strong technical knowledge with a commercial and strategic approach. Ideally, you will have:

• A relevant professional accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Previous experience operating in a senior finance leadership position
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting experience
• Excellent analytical and problem–solving skills
• Strong knowledge of financial compliance, governance and audit processes
• A commercial mindset with the ability to contribute to wider business strategy
• Experience within retail, e–commerce or a similar fast–paced commercial environment would be highly advantageous
• An interest in using AI, automation and emerging technology to improve finance functions

What's on Offer?

• GBP70,000 – GBP90,000 per annum
• 5 weeks' holiday
• Electric car scheme
• Opportunity to take ownership of a senior finance function
• The chance to influence business strategy and future growth
• A forward–thinking environment embracing AI and new technology

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious Finance Director or senior finance professional looking to make a genuine impact within an innovative and evolving business.