Title: Finance Director/Controller

Location: Polegate – Hybrid working options

Salary: £100,000 – £120,000, plus discretionary bonus & wider benefits

Our client, a well-established engineering services business with a strong international footprint, is seeking a Finance Director/Controller to join their Polegate office. This is a key leadership role within the organisation, offering the opportunity to partner closely with senior stakeholders and play a pivotal part in driving financial performance, strategic decision-making, and continued growth across the group.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Board and Executive Chairman on strategic and corporate projects, driving value creation across the group
• Review and enhance finance, sales, operational processes, and information systems to ensure robust, scalable, and effective reporting and controls
• Develop and implement an improved financial reporting framework, including IT system enhancements to support business growth
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including banks, auditors, investors, and shareholders
• Deliver accurate, timely, and insightful financial management information for the Board and senior leadership team
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting cycles, including variance analysis and performance reporting
• Provide commercial support on strategic decision-making, including pipeline analysis, pricing, and margin optimisation
• Oversee statutory and regulatory compliance, including audit, HMRC (CT, VAT, PAYE/NI), and Companies House filings
• Drive effective working capital and cash flow management, monitoring receivables, supplier terms, and purchasing commitments
• Lead and develop core support functions including HR (payroll, PAYE/NI) and IT (team of 2), ensuring systems and processes align with business strategy
• Rapidly gain in-depth knowledge of the group’s operations, contracts, and supply chain to ensure robust controls and accurate financial representation

Role Requirements

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA or equivalent)
• Strong academic background with 5–7 years’ post-qualification experience in senior finance leadership roles
• Proven ability to manage finance in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, with hands-on involvement where required
• Strong technical expertise in financial reporting, compliance, and commercial analysis
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at Board level
• High level of computer literacy, with advanced Excel and reporting skills (experience with Sage Line50 advantageous)
• Strategic mindset combined with a proactive, detail-oriented, and results-driven approach