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Finance Director jobs

Kennedy Pearce specialises in recruiting high-calibre Finance Directors who provide strategic financial leadership and guide companies through growth, transformation, and commercial success. Finance Directors are instrumental in overseeing all aspects of financial management, governance, and long-term planning across a variety of sectors.

Typical responsibilities for Finance Directors include:

  • Leading the overall financial strategy, planning, and risk management of the business

  • Driving financial performance, profitability, and long-term growth

  • Overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis

  • Ensuring full compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and corporate governance

  • Managing senior finance teams and collaborating with executive leadership and boards

  • Providing strategic input into investment decisions, funding, and business planning

  • Leading audit, treasury, and internal control functions

  • Working with ERP and finance systems such as SAP, Oracle, Sage, and Power BI

Please review our live jobs in Accounting & Finance and if you would like to register with us please submit your CV 

Latest Jobs

Accounting

Accounting & Finance

At Kennedy Pearce, our Accounting & Finance division delivers a bespoke, forward-thinking approach to recruitment. We specialise in connecting top-tier finance professionals—both qualified and non-qualified—to interim and permanent roles across two key sectors: Financial Services and Commerce & Industry.Tailored to meet your unique needs, our team is structured to support both candidates and clients every step of the way:For Candidates: We leverage deep industry insight to align your CV, strengths, and career goals—including your hybrid and flexible working preferences—with high-impact roles from transactional through to senior qualifiedFor Employers: Whether you're seeking top talent for contract fill-ins, long-term hires, or executive-level finance positions, our consultants are equipped to find the right professionals to enhance your team’s performance .What sets us apart is our personalised recruitment model—every placement is handled with care and precision. We ensure the perfect fit for both individuals and organisations, covering the full spectrum from day-to-day accounting to strategic financial leadership.​

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Change

Technology & Digital

At Kennedy Pearce, our Technology & Digital division specialises in bridging the gap between exceptional tech and digital talent and forward-thinking organisations. Whether you're a software engineer, digital marketer, product manager, UX/UI designer, data scientist, or IT & infrastructure specialist, we connect you with opportunities in both Commercial and Financial Services landscapes.For CandidatesPersonalised Role Matching – We take the time to understand your skillset, tech stack, aspirations, and workplace preferences (including hybrid or remote options).Profile Enhancement – We help sharpen your CV, LinkedIn, and online presence—making you stand out in a crowded digital talent market.Interview & Tech Prep – From technical testing to scenario-based interviews, we equip you with role-specific insights and feedback.For EmployersTalent on Demand – Finding skilled tech professionals, project-based contractors, or strategic hires? We leverage our expanding digital candidate pool to find the perfect match.Market Insight – Based on live trends in remote work, contract-to-hire, salary bands, and emerging technologies, we guide hiring strategies tailored to your business needs.Ongoing Support – From negotiations to onboarding, we act as a trusted partner ensuring long-term success for both client and candidate.

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operations

Banking Operations

Our Banking Operations team takes a tailored and proactive approach to placing top-tier professionals across the full spectrum of banking operations. Whether your focus is investment banking, retail banking, asset management, wealth management, private equity, broking, or insurance, we connect candidates and clients with precision and care.For CandidatesCustomised role matching — We take the time to understand not just your technical skills and experience, but also your aspirations and preferred working environment—whether that’s front-to-back operations, KYC/AML, payment desks, or transaction monitoring.Career enhancement — We support you with interview preparation, CV and LinkedIn optimisations, and helpful market insights so you step into every opportunity with confidence.Efficient, respectful process — From initial approach to offer and onboarding, we provide transparent, timely feedback and advocate for your best interests throughout.For EmployersComprehensive operational talent access — From junior administrators to senior ops leads and middle office specialists, we source professionals who understand the complexities of modern banking environments.Insight-led guidance — You benefit from our deep visibility into hiring trends, salary benchmarks, regulatory requirements, and emerging priorities—as a collaborative partner, not just a supplier.End-to-end support — Whether you’re scaling your team or filling niche roles, we manage the recruitment cycle—from talent mapping to media outreach, candidate screening, hiring support, and smooth onboarding.

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risk

Risk & Compliance

We connect exceptional risk and compliance professionals with forward-thinking financial institutions across London and the UK.Our Risk & Compliance division specialises in sourcing top-tier professionals who protect businesses, uphold regulatory standards, and navigate an evolving risk landscape. We partner with banks, asset managers, fintechs, and insurance firms to meet critical hiring needs across financial, operational, credit, market, and regulatory compliance functions.For CandidatesExpert guidance — Whether you're a risk analyst, compliance associate, MLRO, or CRO, we take time to understand your expertise, values, and long-term goals.Market insight — We offer tailored advice on salary expectations, industry trends, and evolving regulatory requirements to help you make informed career decisions.Supportive process — From CV guidance to interview preparation, we act as trusted advisors throughout your job search.For EmployersSpecialist talent pool — We maintain strong networks across all areas of risk and compliance, including conduct risk, prudential risk, operational resilience, monitoring, advisory, financial crime, and regulatory change.Quality-driven recruitment — Our team delivers carefully vetted candidates with the technical skillset and cultural fit to meet your specific business needs.Trusted partnership — We work as an extension of your team, offering honest market feedback, salary benchmarking, and efficient end-to-end hiring support.​

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  • Finance Business Partner

    £70000.00 - £75000.00 per annum

    London

    Permanent

    Our client is a fast-growing international logistics business headquartered in Central London. Renowned for its collaborative, fast-paced culture and strong commercial acumen, the business is expanding rapidly and looking to hire a driven and commercially minded Finance Business Partner. This is a hybrid role combining remote flexibility with office-based collaboration. Key Responsibilities: Business Partnering & Commercial Support: Act as a trusted advisor to operational and commercial teams, influencing decisions through financial insight. Lead monthly performance reviews with stakeholders, translating financial results into actionable insights. Partner with business leads to develop robust business cases, including investment appraisals and scenario modelling. Support pricing strategies, cost-saving initiatives, and commercial negotiations with data-backed recommendations. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Lead the monthly forecasting process for assigned business units, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Contribute to the annual budget and quarterly reforecasts, aligning financial plans with operational goals. Provide variance analysis and commentary to explain financial performance and key drivers. Develop and maintain dynamic models to support forecasting and decision-making. Reporting & Insights: Produce and enhance internal reporting packs with clear visualisation and concise commentary. Track key KPIs across the business, identifying trends and areas of concern or opportunity. Support the development of automated dashboards and self-serve tools to improve financial visibility. Process Improvement & Systems Development: Collaborate with IT and finance systems teams to improve reporting tools and data flows. Identify and implement opportunities for process automation and efficiency across FP&A. Support the ongoing evolution of finance systems and models to meet the needs of a growing business. What We're Looking For: Fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) or equivalent experience. Proven experience in a commercially focused finance role, ideally within logistics, supply chain, or related industries. Strong business partnering skills with the ability to challenge and influence non-financial stakeholders.

  • Pricing Specialist

    £200.00 - £320.00 per day

    London

    Temporary

    A leading global Consumer Technology brand with strong growth ambitions is seeking a driven Pricing Specialist to support commercial strategy and optimize sales performance. Overview We're seeking a detail-oriented and commercially minded professional to support the delivery of complex pricing and promotional projects in a fast-paced ecommerce environment. This temporary role involves executing pricing and discount setups, quality assurance, and supporting the rollout of new pricing initiatives across multiple regions. Key Responsibilities Support the setup and delivery of promotional and lifecycle pricing activities across global markets. Manage wholesale price agreements and retail price configurations using internal tools. Conduct QA checks to ensure pricing accuracy, legal compliance, and audit readiness. Assist with implementing pricing experiments and optimization initiatives. Collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external teams to ensure smooth execution of pricing operations. Analyze sales data to support pricing decisions and highlight commercial opportunities. Requirements Experience in pricing, promotions, or operations within ecommerce, retail, or digital media. Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and process management. Proficiency in Excel and comfort with digital pricing tools. Ability to deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines. Excellent communication and collaboration skills in a global team environment.

  • Payroll & Benefits Specialist

    £26.00 - £31.00 per hour + Hybrid Working

    City of London

    Temporary

    Our Client seeks a Payroll & Benefits Specialist (UK) to join the business on a temporary basis. The Payroll & Benefits Specialist is responsible for the accurate and timely delivery of payroll services across four UK entities. This role also encompasses the effective management of employee benefits, serving as the primary liaison with benefit providers and ensuring a seamless experience for employees. Key Responsibilities of the Payroll & Benefits Specialist include: End-to-end management of the payroll process for four UK entities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely payment of salaries and statutory deductions. Preparation, verification, and reconciliation of monthly payroll data. Liaison with internal stakeholders to gather and validate payroll input such as new starters, leavers, and contractual changes. Maintenance of payroll records in accordance with regulations, GDPR and company policy. Preparation and submission of statutory returns (e.g., PAYE, NI, pension contributions) to HMRC and relevant authorities. Accountable for addressing all employee enquiries and providing prompt responses. Management of all employee benefit programmes including pensions, healthcare, life assurance, and other voluntary benefits. Act as the principal point of contact for benefit providers, ensuring effective communication and resolution of queries or issues. Coordinate annual benefits renewals, enrolment processes, and employee communications regarding benefit options and changes. Ensure accurate enrolment, changes, and terminations in all benefits platforms and with providers. Monitor and audit benefit costs and usage, providing regular reports to HR Director. Keep abreast of changes in UK payroll and benefits legislation, ensuring compliance at all times. Prepare, review, and submit statutory reports and filings as required. Support internal and external audits related to payroll and benefits. Serve as the first point of contact for employee payroll and benefits queries, delivering a high standard of customer service. Provide guidance on payroll, tax, and benefits matters to employees and managers. Key Requirements of the Payroll & Benefits Specialist include: Previous experience in UK payroll processing for multiple entities is essential. Proven experience in benefits administration and provider liaison. Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, tax, and statutory reporting requirements. Excellent attention to detail, with strong numerical and analytical skills. Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and prioritise effectively. Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal. Proficiency in payroll and HR information systems (e.g., Staffology) and Microsoft Office Suite. CIPP or equivalent payroll qualification is desirable. Hybrid Working

  • Revenue Specialist

    £45000 - £47000 per annum + + Bonus (20%)

    London

    Permanent

    A leading global FMCG brand with strong growth ambitions is seeking a driven Revenue Specialist to support commercial strategy and optimize sales performance. This is a great opportunity for someone analytical and commercially minded, looking to develop within a high-profile UK team. Key Responsibilities Support the Revenue Lead in identifying opportunities to drive net sales growth. Manage trade promotion processes and reporting to evaluate and optimize investments. Create and deliver performance insights to guide business planning and senior decision-making. Maintain central pricing and investment resources, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Contribute to joint business planning and trade term management across key accounts. Partner with sales, finance, and category teams to align commercial execution. About You Entrepreneurial, proactive, and data-driven. Strong analytical and Excel skills; able to turn data into actionable insight. Clear communicator who can engage stakeholders across functions. Experience in revenue, commercial, or account management is advantageous. Why Apply? Career development, flexible working, and top-tier training with an internationally recognized FMCG leader.

  • ML Research engineer

    €70000 - €100000 per annum + pension, bonuses, healthcare

    Germany

    Permanent

    ML Research Engineer - Manufacturing Optimization Location: Remote-first (Germany preferred) About the Role We are pioneering AI-driven optimization for manufacturing processes, tackling one of the industry's biggest challenges: running machines efficiently despite skills gaps. Backed by recent funding, the team is expanding to make real impact across industries-from sheet-metal processing to injection molding. Unlike others requiring thousands of data points, our "small data" approach helps manufacturers optimize processes with just a handful of experiments, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and sustainability. The Opportunity We are seeking our first dedicated ML Research Engineer to join the leadership team in building the core AI capabilities that define the product. You will research and implement advanced AI algorithms that directly impact manufacturing efficiency and sustainability at scale. What Makes This Role Unique Direct Impact: Optimize real manufacturing processes, reducing waste and improving efficiency. Technical Innovation: Apply small data approaches using Bayesian optimization to enhance machine performance. Equity & Ownership: Meaningful ownership (1%+) as a first key technical hire. Growth Potential: Opportunity to eventually lead the AI/ML team. Real-World Application: Work directly with manufacturing customers, not just theoretical problems. Core Responsibilities Algorithm Development: Collaborate with leadership on Bayesian optimization and strategic technical decisions. Literature Review & Research: Review cutting-edge research in Bayesian optimization, batch acquisition functions, and transfer learning for small data applications. Rapid Prototyping: Independently prototype and iterate AI solutions with speed-to-market focus. Batch Optimization: Develop algorithms that suggest batches of experiments in each step. Knowledge Transfer: Enable transfer learning across machines to minimize experiments. Data Quality Systems: Build robust validation and cleanup pipelines. Integration of Process Knowledge: Apply domain knowledge to machining, injection molding, and welding processes. Customer Interaction: Occasionally engage with customers to understand real-world constraints. Required Technical Skills Machine Learning & Optimization Expertise in Bayesian Optimization and Gaussian Processes (implementation and theory) Hands-on experience with Few-Shot Learning and Reinforcement Learning Knowledge of optimization under uncertainty and multi-objective optimization Ability to read and implement algorithms from academic literature Experimental mindset: design of experiments and algorithm benchmarking Strong foundation in statistics, probability theory, and small datasets Programming & Development Advanced proficiency in Python (libraries such as scikit-learn, GPyTorch, GPflow) Rapid prototyping, iterative development, and Git/collaborative practices Highly Desirable Experience with Bayesian Neural Networks, batch/multitask optimization, transfer learning, meta-learning Implementation of algorithms from research papers Background in manufacturing or industrial process optimization Experience with web development (FastAPI, MongoDB, React/Angular) and cloud platforms Personal Attributes & Work Style Research Curiosity: Passion for innovation and translating ML research into practical solutions. Startup Mindset: Thrive in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments, developing deployable solutions independently. Comfortable with ambiguity, risk, and shifting priorities. Communication & Impact: Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Motivated by solving real-world manufacturing problems. What We Offer Compensation & Equity Salary: €70,000 - €100,000 (based on experience and expertise) Equity: Substantial package Benefits & Culture Remote-first: Flexible hours, work from anywhere (Germany preferred) Time Off: 30 vacation days, with additional flexibility Professional Development: Training and courses provided Equipment & Setup: All tools required for effective remote work Work Environment Collaborative, small team where your voice matters Growth-oriented: Shape engineering culture as the first technical hire Customer-connected: See your impact through occasional customer interactions Team-building: Quarterly and yearly company activities and strategy sessions

  • Product Specialist Alternative Asset Management

    £65000 - £80000 per annum + Hybrid + Bonus + Benefits

    West London

    Permanent

    A global investment firm is expanding its footprint in the Alternative Asset Management space currently seek a Product Specialist to join the firms EMEA & APAC team, supporting the growth of their private wealth and alternative investments business. This role is ideal for someone with strong investment knowledge, proven alternative assets knowledge and excellent communication and organisational skills. Role Purpose You will play a key role in supporting distribution, managing content and marketing materials, maintaining compliance standards, and providing market insights that help drive fundraising and client engagement across multiple jurisdictions. Key Responsibilities Content Creation & Management Develop and maintain high-quality materials for private wealth channels, including due diligence decks, pitch materials, portfolio reviews, and investment themes. Maintain and update due diligence questionnaires (DDQs), FAQs, and virtual data rooms (VDRs). Compliance & Governance Collaborate with sales and compliance teams to manage jurisdictional marketing permissions and ensure all materials meet regulatory requirements. Ensure full adherence to information security and data protection policies, escalating any concerns through the proper channels. Market Intelligence Build and maintain a deep understanding of the competitive landscape across alternative asset classes, including strategies, structures, pricing, and key differentiators. Monitor trends and developments in private markets to inform business strategy and client communications. Distribution & Sales Support Create and distribute timely product, investment, and market insight content for internal sales teams and external distributors. Support ongoing client relationship management through responsive, high-quality deliverables and ad-hoc requests. Essential Experience Around 4+ years' experience in investment management or financial services, preferably with exposure to alternative assets. Experience supporting fundraising, product development, investor relations, or marketing activities for regulated funds. Strong understanding of private markets (Private Equity, Private Debt) and a broad awareness of global markets and macro trends. Familiarity with the EMEA and/or APAC private wealth market, including distribution channels, regulatory frameworks, and product structures. Excellent communication, content development, and organisational skills. Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Undergraduate degree with a strong track record of academic achievement, or equivalent relevant work experience. Advanced degree a plus.

  • Senior Payments Analyst

    £45000 - £50000 per annum + Hybrid + Benefits

    City of London

    Permanent

    Global Fintech Payments firm based in London seek a Senior Payments Analyst Location: London City, Hybrid Department: Payments Operations Type: Full-time, Permanent Industry: Fintech Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 Role Purpose To help deliver a world-class payments operation that supports rapid growth across multiple global markets. This role is pivotal in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and seamless execution of payments across jurisdictions including the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia Key Responsibilities Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle of both fiat and digital asset payments - covering schemes such as FPS, CHAPS, BACS, SEPA, FAST, and USD wire payments - while contributing to the optimisation and automation of processes that underpin a high-performing payments ecosystem. Manage daily settlement and disbursement activities across multiple currencies and payment schemes (FPS, CHAPS, BACS, SEPA and SWIFT Investigate and resolve payment exceptions, reconciliation breaks, and operational incidents to maintain high standards of accuracy and control. Act as an escalation point for complex payment investigations. Foster team resilience through cross-training and knowledge sharing. Analysis & Reporting Analyse operational data to identify trends, root causes, and performance opportunities. Produce dashboards, metrics, and commentary to support business decisions. Drive process improvements and automation through data-driven insights. Essential Experience Proven experience in payment operations within fintech, banking, or financial services. Strong understanding of multiple payment schemes and cross-border transactions, FPS, CHAPS, BACS, SEPA, SWIFT, Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights. Experience managing reconciliations, exceptions, and investigations. Strong Excel skills

  • Human Resources Business Partner

    £220 - £225 per day + Hybrid

    City of London

    Contract

    A London-based international bank is seeking a HR Business Partner to join their small, collaborative team on an initial short term contract. This is a hands-on, generalist role that covers the full employee lifecycle - from payroll and recruitment to compliance reporting, SMCR and employee relations. Contract Type: 3month Contract - Could extend Rate: £220-225 per day 📍 Location: City of London (Hybrid Working) 💼 Industry: Financial Services / Banking Essential Experience Required: SMCR experience Payroll Processing & Reward Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Regulatory & Compliance HR Governance & Policy Employee Relations & Support ****Must be able to start at short notice****

  • Principal Alternative Asset Management

    £80000 - £95000 per annum + Hybrid + Bonus + Benefits

    West London

    Permanent

    A global investment firm is expanding its footprint in the Alternative Asset Management space and currently seek a strategic operator to join a high-impact team driving innovation and growth across EMEA and APAC This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of private wealth investment solutions - from designing and launching cutting-edge private asset funds to building strategic partnerships with leading global institutions We are keen to speak with Alternative Asset Management (AAM) professionals to lead critical initiatives across product development, operational build-out, and platform strategy. This role blends entrepreneurial energy with cross-functional leadership in a rapidly evolving segment of the asset management industry. Key Focus Areas: Spearheading new fund and platform launches Leading complex, cross-functional projects with internal teams and external partners Driving go-to-market strategies for private equity and debt offerings Supporting strategic partnerships and fund distribution via digital platforms Financial planning, regulatory coordination, and operational oversight Essential Experience 7-10 years of experience in asset management, investment banking, or strategy consulting Experience in the iCapital platform would be highly desirable Proven ability to lead projects and drive initiatives across global teams Strong commercial instincts and a passion for business building Familiarity with fund operations or structuring is a plus Comfort navigating complexity in a high-growth, high-autonomy environment If you're motivated by impact, innovation, and the opportunity to work on the next frontier of investment solutions, please get in touch

  • Head of Legal & Compliance

    £145000 - £150000 per annum + bonus, benefits, hybrid working

    City of London

    Permanent

    We have been mandated by an Asian global bank to identify an experienced SMF16/17 to head up their Legal and Compliance department. Duties & Responsibilities of a Head of Legal & Compliance The successful candidate will provide full regulatory and legal oversight, manage a team, analyse the commercial impact of new regulations, update policies and procedures, develop and maintain the Compliance Monitoring Programme, review legal contracts and agreements and provide advice and guidance to both internal stakeholders and external counsel. Attributes & Experience needed to be a Head of Legal & Compliance You will have a minimum of 8 years' experience ideally gained from a retail or commercial banking background. Salary £150K plus bonus and benefits and hybrid working. North London location.