Finance Director

Osprey Engineering Solutions; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading industrial manufacturing firm in Wakefield is seeking an experienced Finance Director to guide financial strategy and management during its growth phase. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in a senior finance role, ideally within manufacturing or engineering sectors. Responsibilities include leading the finance team, preparing for investments, and improving financial governance. This pivotal role offers the chance to make a substantial strategic impact within a transforming business environment.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Finance Director or senior finance leader within a growing SME.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering, or related industrial sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare a business for investment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team, ensuring efficient financial management.
• Shape and execute long-term strategy as part of the Senior Management Team.
• Prepare high-quality monthly management accounts and reports.

Skills

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Strong technical accounting and reporting capabilities

Ability to influence decision-making

Strong leadership and mentoring skills

Analytical capabilities

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Job Specification

Finance Director

Sector : Industrial Manufacturing, Engineering Services, and Capital Equipment Solutions

Overview

A fast-growing industrial manufacturing and engineering services business is entering a significant new phase after surpassing a key revenue milestone. As the organisation transitions from a distribution-focused model toward a more advanced manufacturing and capital equipment environment, it now seeks an experienced Finance Director to lead the next stage of its evolution.

This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on financial management. The Finance Director will play a central part in preparing the organisation for future investment, improving financial governance, strengthening reporting capability, modernising systems, and supporting the business as it continues to scale.

Purpose of the Role

The Finance Director will lead the finance function, develop long-term financial strategy, and ensure the business is fully equipped for sustainable growth and investment readiness. The role is integral to driving financial intelligence, enhancing operational performance, and providing commercial insight to the Senior Management Team and Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team, overseeing day-to-day financial management and performance (including Management Accountant and Accounts Assistant)
• Act as a key member of the Senior Management Team, shaping and executing long-term strategy
• Drive the business through a full investment-ready programme, ensuring systems, reporting, controls, and governance meet investor expectations
• Prepare high-quality monthly management accounts, dashboards, and board reporting packs
• Lead annual budgeting and long-term financial planning processes
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow forecasting
• Build and present financial insights at monthly board meetings
• Manage relationships with banks, advisors, auditors, and potential investors
• Strengthen financial governance, risk management, and compliance across the business
• Implement improved project profitability reporting and margin analysis
• Drive financial systems development and automation to support scale and operational efficiency
• Support the organisation’s shift from distributor to manufacturer, including costing, investment modelling, and operational financial planning
• Partner with the Managing Director to evaluate and deliver strategic priorities and capital projects
• Provide commercial insight to all departments, enabling data-driven decision-making
• Oversee payroll, VAT, statutory filings, and financial controls
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and intelligence of the finance function

Investment Readiness Responsibilities

• Build robust financial models and investment cases to support external funding discussions
• Ensure financial reporting is transparent, accurate, and aligned with investor and lender expectations
• Improve forecasting accuracy and scenario modelling for long-term planning
• Develop strong governance structures, policies, and financial controls
• Implement digital and automated finance systems that scale with business growth
• Prepare due diligence materials and represent the finance function in funding conversations
• Benchmark financial performance and KPIs against industry standards
• Strengthen cash management, working capital control, and capital allocation discipline

Person Specification

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with substantial post-qualification experience
• Proven track record as a Finance Director, Head of Finance, or senior finance leader within a growing SME
• Experience within manufacturing, engineering, capital equipment, or related industrial sectors
• Strong technical accounting and reporting capabilities, with both strategic and hands-on competence
• Demonstrated experience preparing a business for investment or funding rounds
• Commercially astute, with the ability to influence high-level decision-making
• Skilled in building financial models, budgets, forecasts, and board-level reports
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team development skills
• Pragmatic, operationally aware, and able to thrive in a fast-paced SME environment
• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical capabilities
• High integrity, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative working style
• Comfortable balancing governance with entrepreneurial agility

Additional Information

This is a pivotal role within a business undertaking transformational growth. The Finance Director will be instrumental in elevating financial capability, enabling external investment, modernising systems, and supporting the company’s shift toward advanced manufacturing. The organisation offers the opportunity to make a significant strategic impact