The Interim Director of Finance (PART-TIME) will provide senior financial leadership ensuring robust financial governance, high-quality reporting, commercial insight, and strategic financial stewardship. This role will also act as a mentor and capability-builder for the Deputy Director of Finance, supporting their development with the aim of enabling them to step into the CFO role after a defined period.

Key Responsibilities;

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Financial strategy - Lead the development and delivery of the organisation's medium-term financial strategy, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and governance expectations.
• Corporate governance - Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and governance frameworks, including Companies House, audit requirements, and internal control standards.
• Board reporting - Provide clear, insightful, and timely financial reporting to the Board, including performance updates, risk analysis, and forward forecasting.

Financial Management & Control

• Financial planning - Oversee annual budgeting, in-year forecasting, and long-term financial modelling.
• Financial control - Maintain strong financial controls, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and effective stewardship of public-linked funds.
• Audit & assurance - Lead preparation for internal and external audit, ensuring high-quality working papers and timely responses.

Commercial & Operational Finance

• Business partnering - Provide commercial insight to operational leaders across service lines.
• Contract & pricing oversight - Support evaluation of commercial opportunities, pricing models, and financial viability assessments.
• Performance improvement - Identify opportunities to improve margin, efficiency, and financial sustainability.

Leadership, Mentoring & Capability Building

• Deputy CFO development - Provide structured mentoring, coaching, and exposure to CFO-level responsibilities.
• Team leadership - Support a high-performing finance function with clear objectives, accountability, and professional development.
• Succession planning - Build a clear pathway for the DDOF to assume full CFO responsibilities over time.

Key Requirements

Essential

• Qualified accountant (CCAB) with significant senior leadership experience.
• Proven track record as a CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent in a complex, regulated environment, ideally public sector organisations with commercial entities.
• Strong understanding of public-sector financial standards.
• Demonstrable experience in mentoring and developing senior finance leaders.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at Board level.

Contract Details

• Part-time (2-3 days per week)
• Fixed-term contract (length to be agreed)
• Remote working with on-site presence as required