Commercial Finance Director

Purpose The Commercial Finance Director is a senior leadership role reporting to the VP of Commercial Finance, acting as a key commercial partner to Business Unit Leaders and the Executive Management Team. This position serves as the financial lead for a portfolio of P&L accounts, operating in a “CFO” capacity. The role is responsible for driving financial performance, providing robust decision support, and ensuring clear visibility of the financial and cash implications of business decisions. A core expectation of this role is the ability to translate complex financial and operational data into actionable insights. The Commercial Finance Director will leverage advanced analytical thinking and modern data tools (e.g., advanced Excel, Power BI, and evolving AI-enabled analytics capabilities) to enhance forecasting, improve performance, and support strategic decision-making. Key Responsibilities The tasks listed below outline the scope of this position. The application of these tasks may vary, based on current business needs. The Commercial Finance Director will take on a broad remit, including: Strategic Financial Leadership & Business Partnering · Act as a trusted financial advisor to Business Unit Leaders, providing challenge and insight to improve operational and financial performance. · Develop and support strategic plans for the financial success and growth of assigned business units. · Apply strong commercial judgment, supported by data and analysis, to evaluate investments and operational decisions. · Act as a thought partner to the CFO, COO, and Executive Leadership Team on financial and business strategy. Advanced Analytics, Forecasting & Decision Support · Lead the development of accurate and insightful financial forecasts in collaboration with operational teams. · Utilize data analysis and financial modeling to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across client accounts. · Support the creation and execution of profit improvement plans, using analytics to track performance and drive actions. · Continuously enhance the use of analytical tools and techniques to improve the quality, speed, and impact of financial insights (including adoption of modern analytics platforms and AI-enabled approaches where appropriate). Financial Planning, Reporting & Performance Management · Own monthly internal management reporting across business units and client accounts, including: o Revenue and volume performance o Profitability and savings o Working capital and cash generation o KPIs, risks, opportunities, and trends o Variance analysis against plan and forecast · Establish and maintain KPI frameworks to monitor and drive business performance. · Deliver external financial reporting for clients and present performance insights in review meetings. Commercial & Contractual Support · Provide financial analysis to support the negotiation of contracts, renewals, and commercial terms. · Partner with Legal and Commercial teams to ensure financial implications are clearly understood and reflected in agreements. · Present financial performance and insights directly to clients, ensuring clarity and transparency. Operational Excellence & Finance Transformation · Establish and maintain an effective operating rhythm within the Finance function, implementing structured processes and disciplines. · Drive continuous improvement in reporting, forecasting, and financial processes through enhanced data usage and analytical rigor. Leadership & Team Development · Lead, mentor, and develop Finance team members, fostering strong analytical and commercial capabilities. · Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and professional growth. Qualifications & Experience Required · Degree in acco