Head of Commercial Finance
Hybrid Canary Wharf Full-time Director Sales Leadership
At a glance
Leadership Sales Leadership role at Rider Levett Bucknall. Canary Wharf · full-time.
Pay not stated
RoleSales Leadership
SeniorityDirector
LocationCanary Wharf
WorkplaceHybrid
EmploymentFull-time
PostedAug 28, 2026 · 3w ago
Role brief
Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Shape strategy with financial analysis, commercial challenge and insight into investment decisions
- Lead annual budgets and quarterly forecasts, setting targets with the CFO and supporting regional leaders
- Run monthly reviews with Regional Directors, using KPIs and revenue models to improve profit and cash flow
- Strengthen controls, contract revenue accounting, working capital and compliance with financial requirements
- Coach the finance team and improve processes, systems and controls, including Dynamics 365 optimisation
What you bring
- A qualified accountant holding ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or an equivalent credential
- At least fifteen years in commercial finance, business partnering and financial leadership positions
- Professional services or consultancy experience, with built environment exposure strongly preferred
- A record of leading effective finance teams and influencing senior stakeholders in matrix organisations
- Advanced Excel and ERP capability, with Dynamics 365 experience preferred
Who this fits
This role suits a senior commercial finance leader who can challenge executives, translate complex financial information into business decisions and develop finance talent. You’ll report to the CFO and lead a finance team. The role is hybrid, based in Birmingham or London.
From the employer
Title: Head of Commercial FinanceDivision: FinanceLocation: Birmingham / London (hybrid working)Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
Why RLB?
At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.
We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.
Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.
We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.
You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.
What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee‑owned business, teamwork and collaboration lie at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, along with family‑friendly policies, are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.
Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.
Department OverviewA strategic business support function providing trusted financial and commercial leadership to underpin the delivery of RLB’s strategic plan.
The team promotes strong governance and robust financial control, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and the effective management of financial risk.
Operating as a diverse, digitally driven finance function, we partner with the business to challenge thinking, inform decision‑making, and support in driving operational performance and sustainable growth. Reporting to the CFO, this is a senior commercial finance leadership role at the heart of the business's growth strategy. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership to embed disciplined commercial practices, improve systems and processes, and will be central to building out a forward-looking finance function as the business scales internationally.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be a respected finance leader with experience in a senior commercial or business‑partnering role, demonstrating strong strategic insight, technical expertise, and commercial acumen.
Qualifications
Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.
Why RLB?
At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.
We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.
Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.
We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.
You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.
What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee‑owned business, teamwork and collaboration lie at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, along with family‑friendly policies, are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.
Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.
Department OverviewA strategic business support function providing trusted financial and commercial leadership to underpin the delivery of RLB’s strategic plan.
The team promotes strong governance and robust financial control, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and the effective management of financial risk.
Operating as a diverse, digitally driven finance function, we partner with the business to challenge thinking, inform decision‑making, and support in driving operational performance and sustainable growth. Reporting to the CFO, this is a senior commercial finance leadership role at the heart of the business's growth strategy. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership to embed disciplined commercial practices, improve systems and processes, and will be central to building out a forward-looking finance function as the business scales internationally.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Finance & Strategy: Support the development and execution of the company’s strategy by providing financial insight, analysis and constructive challenge to business decisions, assumptions and investment opportunities. Partner with client-facing and technical teams to improve commercial performance, operational efficiency and project profitability, driving sustainable growth and margin improvement.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting cycles. Work closely with the CFO to establish financial targets, provide clear guidance to the business, and support Regional and Business Services leaders in delivering robust and achievable financial plans.
- Performance Reporting & Business Review: Lead the monthly business review process with Regional Directors, providing both challenge and support to drive accountability and performance. Deliver insightful financial reporting, KPI analysis and revenue modelling, highlighting key risks, opportunities and actions to improve profitability, cash flow and business performance.
- Financial Control & Compliance: Ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards and internal policies. Drive best practice in revenue recognition, with a strong understanding of long-term contract accounting, whilst supporting improvements in working capital and cash management. Communicate financial information clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels across the business.
- People Development and Process Improvement: Develop the capability of the finance team through coaching, mentoring and succession planning. Champion continuous improvement across finance processes, systems and controls, including the ongoing optimisation of Dynamics 365, to enhance efficiency, reporting quality and decision-making.
The successful candidate will be a respected finance leader with experience in a senior commercial or business‑partnering role, demonstrating strong strategic insight, technical expertise, and commercial acumen.
Qualifications
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
- 15+ years' experience in commercial finance, business partnering and financial leadership roles.
- Professional services or consultancy experience is essential, with experience in the built environment sector highly desirable.
- Demonstrable experience leading high-performing finance teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.
- Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders in a matrix environment; driving informed and effective decision-making.
- Advanced Excel and ERP systems expertise, with experience of Dynamics 365 desirable.
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear business insights.
- Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
- Strong leadership capabilities with a focus on coaching, mentoring and developing talent.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and attention to detail.
Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.
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