Finance Director - Distribution (FTC)

Job Title:  Finance Director (FTC 6 months) 

Location: Manchester – Hybrid
Reports To: CFO – Markerstudy Distribution

Job Purpose

The Finance Director will lead the financial strategy, analysis, and performance management for multiple brands within Markerstudy Distribution. This pivotal role ensures the delivery of accurate, insightful financial reporting and strategic guidance to drive income, profitability, and business growth. Acting as a strategic business partner, the Finance Director will collaborate closely with the Executive Leadership Team, delivering data-driven decision support and fostering a high-performance culture across the finance and commercial teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the financial planning and forecasting processes, including the creation and management of robust 5-year plans, ensuring alignment with Group strategy.
• Partner with key executives and stakeholders to deliver commercial strategies that drive revenue growth, cost efficiency, and EBITDA improvement.
• Act as the primary financial advisor to senior management, delivering actionable insights on financial trends, risks, and opportunities.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Oversee the preparation and presentation of financial reports, blending operational, trading, and financial performance metrics to provide a holistic business view.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality analysis, identifying variances and ensuring informed decision-making across the organisation.
• Continuously improve forecasting and reporting processes to meet business needs effectively and efficiently.

Commercial Insight and Business Partnering

• Collaborate with Commercial Leads and Finance Business Partners to track income performance, evaluate strategic initiatives, and assess partner deal outcomes.
• Provide leadership in pricing strategies, market trend analysis, and competitor benchmarking to inform business development efforts.
• Foster strong partnerships across the Atlanta team to embed financial rigour and accountability into decision-making processes.

Team Leadership and Development

• Build and lead a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and coach team members, ensuring their professional growth and alignment with organisational goals.
• Uphold FCA compliance and governance standards within the finance function.

Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvements in planning, budgeting, and month-end processes to streamline efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to financial controls, risk management policies, and governance standards across all finance operations.

Education, Qualifications, and Experience

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Extensive experience in commercial finance at FD level, with a strong track record of linking operational performance to financial outcomes.
• Proven leadership experience, including team development and management in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and presentation skills
• Ideally experience in the insurance broker sector or similar.

Critical Behaviours and Competencies

• Strategic thinker with the ability to simplify complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused under pressure.
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to manage multiple senior stakeholders.
• A proactive leader with a growth mindset, continuously seeking improvement and innovation.
• High integrity and professionalism, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.