Finance Director

Location: Hertfordshire (Hybrid, 3 days in office)

Salary: up to £120,000 per annum

We are partnering with a leading specialist research organisation in Hertfordshire to recruit a strategic Finance Director. This is a senior leadership role reporting to the CEO, responsible for driving financial strategy, governance, and long-term sustainable performance across the organisation.

As Finance Director, you will:

• Lead the development and execution of the organisation’s long-term financial strategy
  , ensuring resilience and sustainability.
• Drive integrated financial planning
  , aligning operational needs, research objectives, and available resources.
• Provide Board-level financial insight
  , guiding strategic decisions and highlighting emerging risks and opportunities.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, cashflow management, and performance reporting
  .
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting, statutory accounts, and management information.
• Maintain robust financial controls, risk management, and compliance frameworks
  , including internal audit oversight.
• Lead investment planning, capital expenditure evaluation
  , and financial appraisal of research and commercial opportunities.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team
  , embedding a culture of collaboration and business partnering.

• Proven experience as a Finance Director or senior finance leader in a complex organisation, ideally research, grant-funded, not-for-profit, or service-led.
• Track record of restoring confidence in financial information, implementing systems, and improving controls.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience translating funding streams or complex grants into actionable financial strategies.
• Excellent communicator, capable of influencing Board and executive decisions.
• Collaborative leadership style with experience coaching and developing high-performing teams.

This is a rare opportunity to influence the financial strategy of a high-impact research organisation, support innovative work with societal or scientific impact, and shape long-term organisational growth.