Full-time interim, with the potential to become long-term or permanent.
SJC Partners is currently managing the recruitment process for the hire of a Turnaround Chief Financial Officer (Initially Interim) on behalf of a Liverpool-based online retail business.
This is a critical, hands-on role for an experienced CFO who can quickly stabilise, restructure, and improve the financial performance of a fast-moving digital business. Turnaround experience is a strong preference and candidates without demonstrable exposure to complex change environments are unlikely to be suitable.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with shareholders, the interim CFO will take full ownership of the finance function and play a central role in driving operational and financial recovery.
Key responsibilities include:
- Rapid assessment of the business’s financial position, cash flow, and short-term liquidity.
- Ownership of cash management, forecasting, and working capital optimisation.
- Development and execution of a clear turnaround and stabilisation plan.
- Tight control of costs, margins, and unit economics across the e-commerce operation.
- Oversight of pricing, promotional strategy, and profitability by channel.
- Leadership of the finance team, improving pace, accuracy, and commercial insight.
- Supporting operational decision-making with clear, actionable financial analysis.
- Managing external stakeholders where required.
- Laying the groundwork for a longer-term finance structure and strategy.
The Ideal Candidate
- Proven experience as a CFO or senior finance leader within e-commerce, online retail, or a highly transactional, consumer-facing business.
- Clear track record in turnaround, restructuring, or significant performance improvement situations.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous, pressured environments with limited runway.
- Highly commercial, pragmatic, and delivery-focused.
- Able to start immediately or at very short notice.
- Strong leadership skills with the credibility to influence at board and shareholder level.
Contract & Opportunity
- Full-time interim appointment with an immediate start.
- Initial interim mandate, with a genuine opportunity to transition into a longer-term or permanent CFO role depending on performance and business requirements.
- Competitive day rate / package, commensurate with experience and turnaround credentials.