Interim Finance Director

We are currently looking for an Interim Finance Director to join our Business Services Team, on a Fixed Term Contract of six months. This role will be a key member of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

In this role you will provide financial leadership and decision-making support to the Interim CEO, SLT, Executive Committee and various other committees in relation to the financial control environment, financial strategy and overall financial health of the organisation as well as liaising with key funders.

The role has oversight of our Finance, Procurement and Investment Teams. The role will involve mentoring and coaching direct reports, fostering a high-performing team, and maintaining productive relationships with stakeholders, vendors, and third parties.

You will also be responsible for effective compliant procurement procedures whilst ensuring the integrity and compliance of financial information. The Interim FD will also play a crucial role in driving transformation and organisational effectiveness, sustainability, and innovation and will play a role in helping ensure a successful implementation of the new ERP system (Microsoft 365).

WHAT YOU’LL DO (Duties)

Organisational Leadership

• Manage the Finance Teams, Procurement Team and Investment Start-up Team.
• Contribute to the development and execution of multi-year business plans and strategies that advance our priorities and deliver our strategic goals and intended impact.
• Model ingenuity, transparency and integrity in leading the evaluation and development of forecasts, and cost management whilst ensuring effective and efficient systems, processes and robust financial controls.
• Mentor and coach direct reports and continue to develop a high-performing, future focused, multi-disciplinary function ensuring continuous improvement and personal development to support retention and succession planning.

Business Services

• Review and maintain effective financial controls and cash management policies in line with governing instruments and other legal requirements.
• Oversee the successful completion of annual audits, filings, and other mandated reporting. Partner with / manage tax accountants in managing required returns.
• Maintain the integrity and compliance of corporate governance policies and related documents.
• Drive financial performance as it relates to managing against the annual plan and long-term goals while fostering organisational effectiveness and sustainability.
• Lead the timely and accurate development of budgets, financial reports, and models that will support the organisation in making informed strategic decisions, resource allocation, and investment decisions.
• Review and manage and be prepared to innovate and transform internal systems controls, processes, and procedures to ensure the integrity, accuracy, compliance, and usefulness of financial information and reporting and to ensure that internal systems are as efficiently integrated as possible.
• Partner with business development to develop successful bids and proposals.
• Create and sustain productive vendor, banking and contractual relationships and serve as primary liaison with related third parties.
• Help evaluate and oversee risk management.

Requirements

• Senior finance leadership experience (especially financial reporting and controls and FP&A), ideally with a background in fast paced, technology / innovation led industries.
• Experience of working and collaborating with senior stakeholders with previous experience of credibly presenting at board level.
• Strategic, commercial and competent in balancing risk with creative problem solving.
• High – level knowledge of GAAP, including exposure to and an understanding of grant accounting practices.
• Ability to extract meaning from numbers and present analysis clearly and concisely to people with varying degrees of financial knowledge.
• An experienced and inclusive people leader who can set a strategic vision and inspire, lead and support a team to deliver it.
• Understanding of financial accounting, regulatory issues, and tax planning.
• Successful experience managing a budget of at least £40m.
• Professional accounting qualification required (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is essential.
• Strong verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills.

Deadline for Applications:2nd March 2026

Please contact recruitment@digicatapult.org.uk if you would like to request a full copy of the Job Description for this role.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

We recognise and value the advantages and opportunities that come with having people from diverse backgrounds working with us and it is our ambition to build an organisation which is representative and reflective of UK society. 

We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, candidates from minority and underrepresented groups and from candidates with more or less experience, provided the requisite skills can be demonstrated.

As members of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Please do speak with us about adjustments that could support you through our interview process.

Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer.

Benefits

• We are in the UK’s Top 100 Best Workplaces and placed in the UK’s Best Workplaces in Tech and Large Organisations.
• Digital Catapult is a Disability Confident Committed Level 1 Employer.
• Excellent holiday package: 25 days annual leave, Bank Holidays and 3 days between Christmas and New Year:
• Double-matched pension up to 10% of your salary;
• Discretionary company bonus
• 4% of your salary to use towards selecting benefits that work for you, including health cash plan, Private Medical Insurance; buying holiday, topping up your pension;
• E-Vehicle Scheme; Cycle2Work; Tech Scheme; Gym Discounts; Give As you Earn; PerkPal;
• Life insurance 4x salary;
• Free to access EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice;
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave;
• Hybrid working - with great offices to work from 2 days per week with some roles needing to be onsite more regularly to ensure the successful delivery of our work;
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us;
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!

We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and a variety of employee led affinity groups who champion initiatives and provide opportunities for feedback to be shared.

We use moments in the year to educate everyone at Digital Catapult on different aspects of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to raise awareness.

We also enjoy socialising and having fun together through a variety of company-wide events held throughout the year including our football team, running and climbing groups and volunteering activities.