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Hays

Director of Finance

Essex
£75k – £80k/yr
Posted about 18 hours ago
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📍 Chelmsford (Central Location)
🏢 Hybrid Working - 4 Days in Office
💰 £75,000 + Benefits

We are excited to be partnering with a forward-thinking organisation in Chelmsford to appoint a Director of Finance in a newly created leadership role. This is an excellent opportunity to shape and elevate the finance function while joining a well-established senior leadership team.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to an experienced Chief Operating Officer, this role has been created to strengthen financial leadership, enhance reporting standards, and drive continuous improvement across the finance function.

You will lead a small but capable team, consisting of 1 direct report and 7 indirect reports, with the autonomy and support to implement change and make a lasting impact.

There is also clear long-term progression potential, with scope for this position to evolve into a future COO pathway for the right individual.

Key Responsibilities

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

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Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

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Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

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Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

  • Provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation
  • Enhance and elevate financial reporting, controls, and governance
  • Lead, develop, and mentor the finance team
  • Partner with senior stakeholders to support commercial and operational decision-making
  • Drive process improvements and efficiencies within the finance function
  • Support long-term planning, budgeting, and forecasting

About You

  • Proven track record in a senior finance leadership role (Head of Finance or above)
  • Experience within Further Education is highly desirable
  • Candidates from Charities, Not-for-Profit, Education, Public Sector, or Commercial sectors will also be considered
  • Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams
  • Ability to influence at senior level and drive change

This role would suit a locally based candidate in the Mid Essex region seeking their next career step, including individuals looking to transition from Head of Finance into their first Director-level position.

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Why Apply?

  • Newly created role with genuine scope to shape the function
  • Clear progression and long-term career opportunity
  • Highly visible position within the senior leadership team
  • Central Chelmsford location with hybrid flexibility

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Desired Skills and Experience

  • Finance Director
  • Head of Finance
  • Financial Controller
  • Senior Finance Manager
  • CCAB Qualified

Hays EA is a trading division of Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

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Skills

Financial Leadership
Financial Reporting
Team Management
Process Improvement
Budgeting
Forecasting
Stakeholder Engagement
Mentoring
Governance
Controls
Commercial Decision-Making
Operational Decision-Making
Change Management
Further Education Experience
Charity Sector Experience
Public Sector Experience

Location

Essex, England, United Kingdom

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