Finance Director - French Speaking

MarkJames Search ?; England; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is looking for an experienced Finance Director to oversee the financial operations for UK-based corporate entities. The ideal candidate will lead various functions, ensure compliance, and drive financial governance while supporting senior leadership in decision-making and strategic planning. This role requires strong financial leadership experience and excellent communication skills. A hybrid work model is offered, based in London.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of broad financial leadership experience.
• Experience in complex, multi-entity, multinational environments.
• Ability to influence decision-making at senior levels.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence at senior levels.
• Experience with Magnitude, OFusion (Oracle) or Altais is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the accounting team for accurate financial reporting.
• Oversee all financial transactions and monthly reporting.
• Manage the annual audit process and implement accounting policies.
• Transition selected activities to an international shared services centre while retaining UK-facing responsibilities.
• Lead budgeting, strategic planning, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Investigate variances, develop action plans, and present insights to leadership and the Board.
• Oversee cash management, cash flow forecasting, and treasury compliance.
• Work with tax advisors and internal tax teams to ensure statutory compliance.
• Act as Senior Accounting Officer for UK entities.
• Lead expenses team, enforce policy compliance and minimise PSA exposure.
• Propose dividend distributions, manage restructuring, and support procurement and process improvement.
• Manage contractor finance teams, including recruitment and performance oversight.

Skills

Financial leadership experience

Stakeholder management

Analytical capability

Commercial acumen

Excellent communication skills

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified

Tools

Magnitude

OFusion (Oracle)

Altais

Job description

Finance Director

Location: London, UK. Hybrid 2-3 days onsite (Paddington).

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Finance Director to lead the financial operations of several UK-based corporate entities. This is a highly influential position supporting senior leadership with strategic decision-making, financial planning, business partnering, and operational oversight. You will head the finance, accounting, controlling, treasury, tax, and expenses functions, ensuring exceptional financial governance while driving efficiency, transformation, and continuous improvement. The role also manages key relationships across internal and external stakeholders, including shared service centres, auditors, tax advisors, and senior leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the accounting team, ensuring accurate and compliant financial reporting.
• Oversee all financial transactions, monthly reporting, and annual accounts.
• Manage the annual audit process and implement best-practice accounting policies.
• Transition selected accounting activities to an international shared services centre while retaining UK-facing responsibilities.
• Lead budgeting, strategic planning, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Investigate variances, develop action plans, and present insights to senior management and the Board.
• Manage significant royalty income and oversee processes linked to brand-related commercial agreements.
• Oversee cash management, cash flow forecasting, and treasury compliance.
• Work closely with tax advisors and internal tax teams to ensure full statutory compliance.
• Act as Senior Accounting Officer for UK entities.
• Lead the expenses team, enforcing policy compliance and minimising PSA exposure.
• Propose dividend distributions, manage restructuring activities, and support procurement and process improvement.
• Manage contractor finance teams, including recruitment, negotiation, and performance oversight.

Experience & Qualifications

• ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified with 7+ years of broad financial leadership experience.
• Proven experience in complex, multi-entity, multinational environments.
• Strong stakeholder management, analytical capability, and commercial acumen.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence decision-making at senior levels.
• Experience with financial systems such as Magnitude, OFusion (Oracle), or Altais is desirable.

Please apply online for consideration.