Interim Chief Financial Officer (12-Month Contract)
Location: Manchester (with occasional travel)
Salary: Competitive Package + Benefits
Company: Residential Development / BTR
About the Role
A residential development and build-to-rent business is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer to provide cover for a 12-month period with the opportunity, if desired, to take on an alternative senior position in the business post contract.
The business operates across a multi-entity structure and has an established track record partnering across both public and private sectors and continues to scale its platform following recent investment.
This is a senior leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO, with full responsibility for financial control, reporting, treasury, and strategic financial planning across the group and its subsidiaries. The position offers the opportunity to operate at Board level, driving performance, governance, and financial transformation within a complex and growing organisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end finance function, including financial control, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and KPI monitoring across the group.
- Partner closely with the CEO to drive financial strategy, performance improvement, and operational best practice.
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of outputs.
- Manage and develop the finance team, including senior finance leadership and FP&A capability.
- Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and compliance with UK statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements (including VAT).
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes aligned to both operational delivery and long-term strategic objectives.
- Oversee treasury, including cash management, liquidity planning, and short- and long-term forecasting.
- Support debt raising activities, ensuring covenant compliance and working closely with internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide commercial insight and financial analysis to support investment decisions and business performance.
- Manage relationships with auditors, tax advisers, and external stakeholders.
- Oversee finance systems development, including ERP implementation and process optimisation initiatives.
- Drive automation and efficiency across financial reporting, controls, and forecasting processes.
- Maintain and enhance risk management frameworks, including financial control environments and reporting structures.
- Support scenario modelling, performance improvement initiatives, and strategic decision-making.
- Collaborate across wider group functions to ensure alignment and sharing of best practice.
- Undertake ad hoc strategic projects and initiatives as required.
The Person
You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with a proven track record operating at Finance Director or CFO level, ideally within real estate, residential development, or asset-backed businesses.
You will demonstrate strong financial leadership with the ability to operate effectively at Board level, commercial acumen and the ability to influence strategic decision-making and experience managing complex, multi-entity structures.
For further details, please contact daniel@cognisantsearch.com
