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 Southampton
Southampton has been one of Britain’s most important ports since at least Roman times, and to this day is a major container port (the second largest in the country after Felixstowe) and ferry terminal serving the Isle of Wight and Europe, as well as being the UK’s busiest cruise terminal.
It was from Southampton that Titanic sailed on her fateful journey, although she was built in Belfast and registered in Liverpool. The city has a more celebrated association with transport, however; the Supermarine Spitfire was built near the city and performed its maiden test flight on what was to become the city’s airport. The port’s military and logistical significance did make it a key target for German bombs during World War II, and the city, just across the Channel from occupied France, was badly hit.
The city has admirable links with the logistics industry. It is home to Ordnance Survey, an essential element in the industry, especially in the pre-SatNav days; Carnival Cruises and Associated British Ports also have important stations here. The city has breadth and depth that makes it a good place for Finance Director job opportunities.
Popular locations
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.
Contact us