Director - Finance Centre of Excellence (London)

Job description

The Team We have a clear vision of being the market-leading Finance Centre of Excellence for deals. We are deal experts who specialise in the finance function, and aim to be the first choice for client finance teams through all types of transactions (separations, integrations, joint ventures, single asset deals, finance function assessments, and IPOs) in corporate and PE environments. The team deals with all aspects of operational finance function issues in deals such as standalone or integrating finance functions, operating models, governance, reporting and MI, core processes/ TSAs, and systems changes. We have brought together professionals from diverse backgrounds in industry and deals consulting, who provide constructive challenge, holistic support and proven frameworks to help clients protect and create value across the entire lifecycle. The Role As a Director in the Finance CoE, you will play a senior leadership role in shaping, delivering, and growing our finance-focused deal advisory propositions. You will lead complex, high‑pressure, multi‑workstream engagements, working directly with CFOs and finance leadership teams on both the buy-side and sell-side to design, plan, and execute finance workstreams within transaction environments. You will be accountable for leading engagement teams, serving as a trusted advisor to clients, applying our methodology and best practices, and overseeing the deliverables, quality and commercial success of projects. You will also lead business development for key pursuits/ sectors/ accounts, proposition building, and the growth of our people and culture. Roles & Responsibilities Client Delivery & Leadership • Lead end‑to‑end finance support across the deal lifecycle, often as part of a wider deal teams, shaping our support and ensuring delivery excellence. • Serve as a key advisor to CFOs and senior finance stakeholders in different sectors, providing challenge, insight, and practical direction during high‑pressure deal environments • Collaborate with multi‑workstream delivery teams often across multiple geographies, ensuring coordination, quality assurance, and value across finance workstreams. • Lead and review separation/ integration planning, operating model design, and deal‑driven finance change outcomes. • Build strong relationships with clients across sectors, as well as other advisory firms involved in deals (e.g. legal, banking, technology). People Leadership • Provide leadership, coaching, and development for senior managers and below team members, fostering a high‑performing, collaborative and supportive team culture. • Drive capability development within the Finance CoE, helping colleagues grow expertise across deal execution, finance operations, core processes and consulting skills • Promote the values of inclusion, agility, and personal development reflected in the firm’s ‘Our Deal’ and ‘The Academy’ commitments. Market & Proposition Development • Innovate, shape and expand Finance CoE propositions in integration, separation, finance function assessments, cutover and operating model design. • Drive business development efforts, including proposal leadership, origination conversations, and building long‑term client relationships. • Contribute thought leadership on future trends in finance functions, disruptive technologies, data‑driven insight, and leading practice in deal-related finance transformation. The Person Skills, Qualifications & Experience Essential Experience • Substantial experience working in a leading consulting firm, Big 4, private equity or strategy / corporate development team with a focus on the finance function in industry • The candidate must have previous experience in consulting as well as industry. The latter needing to be in an operational capacity as ‘Line Management’ • Experience of leading mid-sized and large deal execution projects with a focus on CFO-relevant issues • Strong academic track record • Experience of managing or supporting high-value business development activities with C-level stakeholders • Demonstrable ability to independently generate sales opportunities, commercialise relationships with senior executives and maintain strong client relationships • Acting as the source of new business development initiatives and taking these from idea, through design and execution all the way to clients • Strong numerical capabilities combined with sound commercial acumen • Demonstrable ability to lead teams in high‑pressure, ambiguous, and fast‑paced deal environments. • Evidence of strong problem-solving & analytical capabilities • Structured thinking skills combined with creativity • Ability to talk credibly with C-level clients on the key issues and value implications facing their business in a deal context • Ability to evaluate complex challenges and deliver insightful recommendations that can be practically executed Finance in Deals Experience • Proven track record leading complex/large‑scale finance integrations, separations, carve‑outs, joint venture setup projects • Initiating marketing and sales efforts, proposals, scopes and pricing for mid-sized and large consulting assignments, preferably in the finance deals space • Evidence of designing work plans, team structures and then managing these to (i) excellent client output and (ii) strong project economics o This should include an extensive coverage of recent M&A transactions, e.g. Integration/ separation planning and execution, transitional service agreements • Deep understanding of issues and decisions in M&A deals which affect financial controls, governance and reporting on both buy-side and sell-side, from pre-deal to post deal and exit • Deep understanding of leading practice in finance functions, operating model design, and the impact of digital/disruptive technologies on finance • Deep understanding of core finance processes (Record to Report, Procure to Pay, Order to Cash), with strong understanding of finance function structures, controls, systems, and performance metrics. Preferred Qualifications • Professional qualification (ACA, CIMA, MBA, or equivalent). Core Competencies • Outstanding client relationship skills, executive presence, and communication capability (oral and written). • Exceptional problem solving, analytical thinking, and structured report writing. • Ability to inspire teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver confidently under pressure. Working Environment You will work with a global client portfolio, often at client sites, with projects ranging from a few weeks to longer engagements. Flexible working options are supported, reflecting the firm’s commitment to agile working, inclusion, and tailored career development. #LI-SG1