Interim Assistant Director of Finance and Commercial

An experienced Assistant Director of Finance and Commercial is required to lead financial planning, reporting, governance, and commercial activity within a complex, high-profile organisation. This interim role will act as the organisation's senior finance lead, providing strategic advice to the Executive Team while ensuring robust financial control and operational delivery.

Client Details

Based in Manchester, our client is a large, values-led public sector organisation delivering essential services at scale across the UK. Operating within a complex and highly regulated environment, they are committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, with finance, procurement, and estates playing a central role in supporting delivery of their strategic objectives.

Description

Reporting to the Director of Strategy and Resources, the Assistant Director of Finance and Commercial will act as the organisation's senior finance lead, with overall responsibility for financial planning, reporting, governance, and commercial services.

The role leads a broad corporate services portfolio, including Finance, Procurement, Payroll, and Facilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and customer-focused services that support organisational performance and strategic objectives.

You will provide expert financial and commercial advice to the Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team, and Board-level stakeholders, including Audit & Risk Committees, supporting decision-making and ensuring robust financial control and assurance.

The position will play a key role in driving continuous improvement across finance and commercial services, strengthening systems, processes, and controls, and ensuring value for money in a complex, highly regulated public sector environment.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will contribute to the wider leadership of the organisation, leading high-performing teams, supporting the delivery of strategic priorities, and driving transformation and cross-functional initiatives.

Profile

This role represents the most senior finance position within the organisation and requires an experienced finance leader who has previously operated at Director level.

• You will be a qualified finance professional with extensive experience operating within the public sector, and a deep understanding of its governance, regulatory, and accountability frameworks.


• Experience within an Arm's Length Body (ALB) or central government / Civil Service environment is highly desirable, and candidates should bring a strong understanding of working within these settings.


• Prior experience operating as a Finance Director (or equivalent), acting as the number one finance lead within an organisation


• Significant and demonstrable public sector experience, with a strong understanding of managing public money, governance, and scrutiny environments


• Extensive experience leading financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting, and statutory reporting


• Strong knowledge of financial governance, risk management, and control frameworks, including engagement with Boards and Audit & Risk Committees


• Experience overseeing broad corporate services, ideally including procurement, estates, or commercial functions


• The ability to influence and advise Executive Teams, providing clear, credible strategic insight


• A track record of leading teams through change, driving transformation and continuous improvement


• A collaborative, business-partnering approach, combined with the gravitas to operate at Executive level

• Competitive daily rate, reflective of the seniority and scope of the role


• Opportunity to operate as the organisation's senior finance lead, delivering immediate and meaningful impact


• Hybrid working arrangements, with a base in Manchester

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