Finance Director in City

Nxtgen Recruitment; City; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Director of Finance and Commercial for a high-profile public sector organisation in Cardiff. This board-level position requires strategic leadership across finance, commercial, and economic functions, ensuring compliance and value-for-money decision-making. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in finance within complex organisations, alongside a full professional accountancy qualification. This role is in scope of IR35, requiring 2-3 days a week on site.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading finance in a complex organisation, preferably in the public sector.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement in financial operations.
• Strong knowledge of government standards and procurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance, commercial, and economic functions ensuring compliance with standards.
• Provide financial guidance to the CEO and Executive Team.
• Champion evidence-based decision-making across major programmes.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic decision-making

Commercial acumen

Risk management

Education

Full professional accountancy qualification (CCAB, CIMA)

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

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).

Contract Details

• Contract length: 6 months (extension TBC)
• IR35: In scope
• Location: Cardiff (2-3 days per week in office)