Director of Finance & Growth
Hays Accounts and Finance
About the opportunityAre you a strategic finance leader who wants to play a central role in shaping the future growth, resilience and impact of a values-led organisation? This is an exciting opportunity to join a client operating within a highly purpose-driven environment, where strong financial leadership directly supports the delivery of safe, high-quality services for children, young people and families.Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board and Senior Leadership Team, the Director of Finance and Growth will provide strategic oversight of finance, business performance, compliance and growth. The role will be pivotal in ensuring long-term financial sustainability, supporting service development opportunities and leading robust financial evaluation through periods of change, development and potential acquisition.This is a senior, influential and highly visible appointment for someone who combines technical financial expertise with commercial judgement, strong leadership capability and a genuine commitment to organisational purpose and values.The successful candidate will also act as Company Secretary across the organisation's group structure, ensuring effective governance, statutory compliance and confidence in financial decision-making.
What you will be doing
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the development and delivery of financial strategies that support sustainable growth, strong governance and effective resource allocation.
- Providing accurate, timely and insightful financial information, including budgets, forecasts, cash flow reporting and key performance indicators.
- Acting as a trusted strategic advisor to the Chief Executive, Board and Senior Leadership Team on financial performance, risk, growth and investment decisions.
- Leading financial evaluation of new service development opportunities, including forecasting, due diligence, acquisition activity and post-acquisition integration.
- Overseeing financial operations, payroll, payments, pensions, benefits, audit, insurance, contracts and commercial arrangements.
- Ensuring all statutory, contractual, regulatory and company secretarial requirements are met across the organisation.
- Building strong relationships with internal teams, external advisors, partners and stakeholders.
- Leading, inspiring and developing Finance and HR colleagues, promoting collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
About you
- A qualified accountant with significant senior finance leadership experience.
- Confident operating at Board and Senior Leadership Team level, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical insight.
- Commercially astute and able to assess growth opportunities, new services, contracts and potential acquisitions with rigour and sound judgement.
- Experienced in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, audit, compliance, risk and financial controls.
- A collaborative and values-led leader who can build trust, influence stakeholders and develop high-performing teams.
- Comfortable working in a regulated, safeguarding-focused or purpose-driven environment where quality, compliance and ethical practice are central.
- Able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, ensuring financial systems, processes and reporting remain robust, accurate and effective.
Why apply?
- A rare opportunity to take on a strategic finance and growth role with real organisational influence.
- The chance to work closely with a committed Chief Executive, Board and Senior Leadership Team.
- A role where your financial leadership will directly support meaningful, purpose-led services.
- Scope to shape growth, strengthen systems, influence decision-making and support future development.
- A competitive salary of £66,865.50 to £77,152.50, with a regional remit across the North East, Yorkshire and East Midlands.
Safeguarding, equality and complianceThe organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to uphold safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion standards at all times. Appropriate pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, will be required.How to applyFor a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact the recruitment partner managing the process. Further details about the client will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage.
What you need to do now
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