Finance Director - Service

Smiths Detection; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection is seeking a commercially focused Finance Director to partner our Global Service organisation, combining strategic finance, FP&A and operational finance expertise to drive value creation.

Reporting directly to the Senior Finance Director, this role balances leadership with hands-on analysis, transformation projects and automation across a global business, offering exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Commercial finance and FP&A experience in a complex business.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and reporting capabilities.
• Experience leading finance teams and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and monthly performance reporting.
• Provide financial insight and decision support to Global Service leadership.
• Deliver process improvements, automation and enhanced reporting.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing finance team.

Skills

Commercial finance

Business partnering

Budgeting

Forecasting

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Transformations

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent)

Degree educated or equivalent

Post-qualified finance experience

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Job Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state‑of‑the‑art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Smiths Detection is seeking a commercially focused Finance Director to partner our Global Service organisation, a business area representing approximately 50% of the company's activity. Reporting directly to the Senior Finance Director, Group FP&A, this is a highly visible leadership role. The position offers a balance of 60% leadership and strategic business partnering, alongside 40% technical finance, reporting and analytical responsibilities.

This is not a traditional Finance Director position. We're looking for someone who combines strong commercial finance, business partnering, FP&A and operational finance expertise, while also helping drive transformation, automation and value creation initiatives across a global business.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as lead finance partner to the Global Service Leadership Team.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and monthly performance reporting.
• Drive financial insight, challenge and decision support.
• Support strategic initiatives, transformation projects and value creation programmes.
• Deliver process improvements, automation and enhanced reporting capability.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team of Senior Financial Analysts.
• Partner with stakeholders across Operations, Supply Chain, HR and Commercial functions globally.

Experience & Skills

We are looking for a commercially minded finance leader who can operate strategically whilst remaining hands‑on when required.

You’ll bring:

• Strong Commercial Finance and Business Partnering experience.
• FP&A, budgeting and forecasting expertise.
• Experience supporting operational, engineering or service‑led organisations.
• Leadership experience within finance.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience driving transformation, process improvement or automation initiatives.
• Advanced Excel, strong financial systems capability and SAP experience are essential. Experience with Power BI would be advantageous.

Ideal Background

We're particularly interested in candidates from businesses with large operational or field‑based workforces, including:

• Field Service Organisations
• Utilities
• Facilities Management
• Infrastructure Maintenance
• Technical Services Organisations

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
• Degree educated or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant post‑qualified finance experience within a complex business environment

Why Join Smiths Detection?

Following recent private equity investment, Smiths Detection is embarking on a significant transformation journey, creating an exciting opportunity for a Finance Director to make a tangible impact on business performance, automation, value creation and operational excellence.

This role offers significant exposure to senior leadership, global responsibility and the opportunity to shape the future of a critical business function.

Additional information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world‑leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.