Finance Director (Maternity Cover, 12-Month Contract)

Finance Director (Maternity Cover, 12-Month Contract)Location: PrestonDepartment: FinanceSalary: Competitive

A leading travel and tourism company, part of a globally recognized group, is looking for a Finance Director to join its UK Head Office near Preston for a 12-month maternity cover contract.

In this senior role, you will provide financial leadership and strategic direction across multiple key areas: Management Accounting, Finance Systems, financial and regulatory reporting, Financial Control, and Treasury. You'll be responsible for driving efficiencies, standardizing processes, and delivering accurate financial reports in line with group policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide financial guidance and support for various business units and shared service functions.
• Lead the standardization of financial reporting across the UK businesses and shared services.
• Maintain a strong financial control environment, ensuring alignment with group policies.
• Manage internal and external audit processes, delivering accurate and timely reports.
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliation, cash flow forecasting, and financial risk management.
• Deliver consolidated reporting for actuals, forecasts, budgets, statutory accounts, and more.
• Lead and develop the Finance team, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring robust succession planning.
• Champion a shift towards a more unified, shared services model across the business.

Candidate Profile:We are seeking an experienced finance leader with a proven track record in similar senior roles, ideally within the travel or related sectors. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities, a strategic mindset, and the capability to influence at all levels.

Skills & Experience:

• Deep knowledge of accounting standards and financial control frameworks.
• Strong strategic and commercial acumen.
• In-depth understanding of the travel industry regulatory environment (preferred).
• Excellent leadership, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex financial processes and drive improvements.
• Significant post-qualified accounting experience.

Additional Details:This hybrid role may initially require more time in the office, located near the M6 with free parking available. Some UK travel will be required.

We offer a range of attractive benefits, including:

• 25 days of annual leave (rising to 28 after 5 years) plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme, private medical cover, and life assurance
• Travel discounts, cycle-to-work scheme, and more
• Ongoing learning and development through our in-house training programs
• A supportive and inclusive workplace with a strong focus on employee wellbeing and community engagement

If you're a forward-thinking finance leader looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to join our dynamic team.