Finance Director
In business, every major financial decision a company makes has a profound effect on its profitability, or even its survival. Big decisions about expansion, restructuring, new product ranges, setting up in new territories and the really tough decisions like mass redundancies all need to be financially justified to the company, shareholders and sometimes the public. It’s the finance director’s job to oversee those decisions.
Finance director jobs are usually part hands-on financial analysis and decision making, and part overseeing a team of finance managers, departmental managers and accountancy departments. As a board member, they will have plenty of sway, but must also be in charge of implementing company-wide policies from a financial standpoint. They will know when to sit down and crunch the numbers themselves, and when to delegate the tasks to trusted lieutenants who can deliver sound, evidence-based figures on which to base those key decisions.
The skills required of the finance director
Clearly, the role of finance director is reserved for those who are highly experienced in overseeing the financial matters of large organisations. You won’t necessarily need to be a director already, but you will have to have proved that you understand business economics inside and out, and that you have had to make tough financial decisions and seen them through, gathering evidence, presenting your case and analysing results.
You’ll also be a great communicator and negotiator, as you’ll often be meeting with banks, shareholders, other board members and managers to both listen and to instruct on financial decisions. Many businesses require a BA in finance, accounting or business before this role is considered.
Finance Director Jobs in Luton
Situated in Bedfordshire, around 30 miles north of London, Luton is a thriving community that is home to a number of big businesses. It is also located in the London commuter belt, meaning those who live here have a wide choice of options when it comes to finding Finance Director vacancies.
Since the 17th century, Luton has been known for its hat making industry, and this is a tradition that continues today, although it is now a more niche market.
Vauxhall Motors has been based in Luton since 1905 and its headquarters are still located here. Although the firm's passenger car production has been moved to Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, some commercial vehicles - mainly vans - are still produced at the IBC Vehicles plant.
Other companies based in Luton, or which have major facilities in the city, include AstraZeneca pharmaceuticals, Ernst & Young, Experian, Siemens AG and Whitbread, a hospitality chain.
Luton is also home to one of the main airports that services the London area. It sees around ten million passengers every year and is one of the UK's busiest airports. EasyJet, Ryanair, Thomson Airways and Monarch Airlines are all based here and the airport also processes cargo for Atlantic Airways, BA, DHL, MNG and Varig Logistica.
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Finance director recruitment at Cast UK
At Cast UK, we understand how difficult it is to find high-calibre candidates to interview for critical roles like this. That’s why as an agency, we have always focused on the upper echelons of business, namely executive and managerial positions. So if you’re looking for the perfect finance director for your organisation, call 0333 121 3345 and we can deliver exactly those A1 candidates you’re looking for.
If you are a finance director or have a CV that proves you’re ready to become one, we want to hear from you – as do some fantastic businesses up and down the country. Please register with us by following the link below.
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