Finance Director Designate

Finance Director Designate
Confidential | Halifax | £80,000 - £90,000 + Benefits
The Business
This is a technology-led British business operating at the forefront of the recycling sector, based in Halifax. The business has built a market-leading position.
What sets the business apart is its investment in proprietary technology, including advanced capability that places it ahead of the curve in a sector where technical differentiation matters. It operates from a purpose-built facility and serves a growing base of commercial and public sector clients.
Having recently completed a management buyout backed by a specialist private equity investor, the business enters its next phase with strong foundations, an ambitious management team and a backer with a clear growth thesis. It is at a genuine inflection point - operationally credible, technically differentiated, and with real runway ahead of it.
The Opportunity
This is a newly created senior finance role - the first dedicated FD appointment in the business’s history - brought about by the MBO and the scale of ambition that comes with it. Reporting directly to the CEO and with full board exposure, the Finance Director Designate will build the finance function, bring commercial rigour to the business and take ownership of everything from day-to-day financial management through to strategic planning, investor reporting and capital allocation.
This is a genuine stepping-stone role. For the right person, someone currently operating at Deputy FD or Financial Controller level who is ready for the full seat - the path to FD is clear and intended. Equity participation is on the table, creating real alignment with the value you help create.
What You Will Be Responsible For
* Building and leading the finance function - establishing the team, systems and processes the business needs as it scales under PE ownership.
* Owning the monthly management accounts, board reporting pack and all financial reporting obligations, ensuring the CEO and investor have the quality of information they need to make good decisions.
* Driving the annual budgeting and forecasting process with a focus on meaningful variance analysis and forward-looking insight rather than retrospective reporting.
* Acting as commercial finance partner to the CEO and senior leadership team — challenging assumptions, stress-testing plans and bringing financial clarity to strategic decisions.
* Managing relationships with the business’s banking and debt partners, with a solid understanding of existing facilities and the discipline to manage covenant compliance and cash efficiently.
* Overseeing statutory reporting, audit, tax and compliance, working with external advisers where appropriate.
* Supporting the evaluation of capital investment decisions, including business cases, returns analysis and post-investment review.
* Serving as the primary finance interface for the PE investor - meeting the reporting and governance expectations that come with institutional backing.
What We Are Looking For
* A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong track record at Financial Controller, Deputy FD or Head of Finance level, ready to take the next step into a board-facing FD role.
* Someone who has operated in a business of genuine complexity — ideally with experience in recycling, manufacturing, logistics, environmental services or a similarly operationally intensive environment, though this is not prescriptive.
* Experience of working within or alongside a PE-backed business would be an advantage - familiarity with investor reporting, covenant management and value creation planning is genuinely valued.
* A natural communicator who can translate financial complexity into clear, confident narratives for a CEO, board and institutional investor audience.
* A builder by instinct: comfortable setting up processes, selecting systems and developing a team rather than inheriting an established function.
* The commercial instinct to look beyond the numbers and contribute meaningfully to strategic conversations, not just report on them.
* Comfortable with ambiguity and energised by a business that is actively evolving.
Why This Role
* The first FD appointment of a PE-backed, technology-led business at a genuine inflection point - a role you shape rather than inherit.
* A genuine FD Designate position with a clear and credible progression path, not an indefinite holding pattern.
* Future equity participation, creating real alignment with the success you help deliver.
* Direct access to an ambitious CEO and an engaged institutional investor.
* A sector with serious structural tailwinds.
* A Yorkshire base with a leadership team that values presence and genuine collaboration.
* £80,000 - £90,000 depending on experience, and a competitive benefits package.
How to Apply
This search is being managed on a confidential basis by IFF Executive. To find out more or to register your interest, please contact the IFF team directly. The business will be revealed at the appropriate stage of the process to shortlisted candidates.
Equals One is an advertising and recruitment agency working on behalf of our client to promote this vacancy. You may be contacted directly by the employer should they wish to progress your application. Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unable to provide specific feedback if your application is unsuccessful