Interim Finance Director

Company

Stanton House is partnering with a privately owned heavy industrial services business to appoint an Interim Finance Director. The organisation operates across multiple specialist divisions, delivering essential services across the UK. An SME sub £100m with a strong balance sheet, the business is entering a period of transition and is seeking an experienced finance leader to provide stability, support key strategic projects and partner closely with the owners and senior leadership team. Following recent leadership changes, there is a need for an experienced and commercially minded finance professional who can drive change, improve decision making and support the business through its next phase.

Role

This is a hands-on interim leadership opportunity for an experienced Finance Director who is comfortable operating within an SME environment and working closely with business owners. Reporting directly to the SLT and leading the finance function, you will provide continuity following the departure of the current Finance Director while delivering several critical strategic projects.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted adviser to the ownership team, supporting both financial and operational decision making. You will play a key role in shaping the future operating model of finance, strengthening governance and ensuring the business continues to perform effectively during a period of change.

This assignment is expected to run for an initial six months, with potential for extension or a permanent appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and stability to the finance function during a period of transition.
• Partner closely with founders and senior leaders to support strategic and operational decision making.
• Lead the review and implementation of a revised shareholder agreement.
• Support the design and implementation of the future target operating model for the finance function.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and working capital performance.
• Deliver insightful management information and board reporting to support decision making.
• Strengthen financial controls, governance processes and reporting frameworks.
• Drive business partnering across multiple operational divisions, supporting commercial performance and project delivery.
• Manage key external stakeholders including banks, auditors, lenders and advisers.
• Develop and support the existing finance team, including the Head of Finance and wider finance staff.
• Support project-based initiatives including process improvement, cost analysis, contract review and commercial governance.

Requirements

Essential

• Previous Finance Director or equivalent leadership experience within an SME environment.
• Strong heavy industrial background from either infrastructure, construction, manufacturing or engineering.
• Experience leading finance functions through periods of change, transformation or transition.
• Strong commercial and operational finance capability, including budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
• Experience developing finance processes, controls, governance and reporting frameworks.
• Track record of leading and developing finance teams.
• Ability to work closely with operational stakeholders and provide practical, commercially focused financial support.

Desirable

• Experience supporting shareholder, corporate governance or ownership structure projects.
• Background in contract-led businesses with strong project accounting requirements.
• Previous experience operating within privately owned businesses.
• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, ACMA or equivalent).

If you meet the above criteria and are available for an interim assignment commencing in September, please apply below. We appreciate all applications; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.