Commercial Finance Director

KennedyPearce are partnering with a fast-growing, global SaaS technology business based in the UK with headquarters worldwide. With an ambitious growth trajectory, the company is poised to enter its next phase of development, expanding into new markets and refining its strategic direction. The organization is looking for a dynamic and experienced Director of Commercial Finance and FP&A to help drive continued growth and shape the future of the business.

Role Overview:
Reporting directly to the VP of Commercial Finance, the Director of Commercial Finance and FP&A will be a key leader in the business, playing an instrumental role in driving strategic decisions and ensuring alignment across finance and business functions. This individual will partner closely with the board, senior leadership, and global teams, influencing both financial and operational strategies. You will manage a small team (2-3 direct reports) and work cross-functionally with commercial, finance, and data analytics teams to foster data-driven decision-making, optimizing processes and systems for enhanced business performance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with the CFO, board, and senior leadership to shape the company's strategic priorities and long-term vision. Provide financial insight and recommendations that drive business growth and operational efficiency across all markets.
2. Commercial Finance: Lead the Commercial Finance function, ensuring financial strategies align with the business's commercial objectives. Oversee financial modeling, forecasting, and the development of commercial financial plans that support the company's growth targets.
3. FP&A Oversight: Lead FP&A processes, working closely with business leaders to deliver accurate, timely, and actionable financial insights. Ensure robust financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes are in place.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making: Collaborate with the Data Analytics team to enable data-driven decision-making across the business. Enhance financial and business reporting systems to provide insights that influence key decisions.
5. Stakeholder Management: Engage with complex stakeholders across various departments and seniority levels to ensure alignment and transparency of financial performance. Influence key decision-makers in the C-suite to support business objectives and drive performance.
6. Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a small team of finance professionals, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring high-performance standards. Act as a role model and coach for your team members, driving excellence across finance functions.
7. Process Improvement: Continuously improve finance systems, tools, and processes to support scalability and efficiency in a rapidly changing environment. Ensure the finance team adapts to the evolving needs of the business.

Candidate Requirements:

• Qualified Finance Professional (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Significant experience in commercial finance and FP&A leadership within a fast-paced SaaS business (mandatory).
• Experience as a Director and proven track record of managing and driving growth within a technology-focused organization.
• Extensive experience in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting.
• Demonstrated ability to influence C-suite executives and manage complex stakeholder relationships.
• Strong ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment and manage ambiguity.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders across global offices.
• Immediate availability preferred, with flexibility to transition into the role quickly.