Average Assistant Director salary in the UK

Jackson's Bakery, part of the William Jackson Food Group, is now looking for a Finance Director to join the senior leadership team at an important time for the business. You will be partnering closely with the new Managing Director, one of the most experienced leaders in the Bakery industry, and will take on a truly end-to-end Finance Director role.Client DetailsManaging a team of experienced finance professionals as well as supporting and enhancing the work of commercial and operational colleagues alike.Founded in 1851 by William Jackson, you will be joining a sixth generation Group with exceptional heritage that is still in family ownership today. The Group has grown, changed and evolved over the years but its values remain firmly at the core of how it operates - looking after its people and working in partnership with its customers and suppliers. For the third year running the Group was recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to work.As Finance Director of Jackson's Bakery you will be a key member of the senior leadership team, supporting the Managing Director in driving profitable growth, operational efficiency, and disciplined capital allocation, while acting as the primary interface with Group Finance and being a member of the Finance senior leadership team.DescriptionKey Responsibilities of the role:Act as a trusted finance business partner to the Managing Director and senior leadership teamProvide clear, actionable financial insight to support pricing, margin management, capacity utilisation, and investment decisionsKeeping a constant and disciplined grip on key financial levers and operational and customer KPIs ensuring they are being fully optimised.Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and medium-term planning processes in line with Group requirementsProvide an ongoing run-rate EBITDA for the Managing Director and Group to assist in decision making on an ongoing basisSupport the development and execution of Jackson's strategic planMaintain strong financial control, ensuring timely, accurate monthly management accountsOversee working capital management, including inventory, debtors, and payablesEnsure robust cost control across manufacturing, supply chain, and overheadsOwn standard costing methodologies, variance analysis, and bill-of-materials integrityPartner with operations to improve yield, efficiency, labour productivity, and waste reductionOversee capital discipline and Provide financial insight on capex proposals, production investments, and make-or-buy decisions.Manage cash flow forecasting at subsidiary levelDrive continuous improvement in finance processes, systems, and reportingFoster a culture of commercial awareness, accountability, and collaborationEnsure the business meets compliance requirements to legal and group requirements relevant to financial matters e.g. legal contracts oversight, tax requirements, group policies, accounting standardsProfileThe successful candidate must be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with senior finance leadership experience (very likely already at Director level). You will ideally have experience of the FMCG sector, or another related, fast paced manufacturing, high volume, lower margin product-based industry. You will very likely have worked in a business similar in scale to Jackson's Bakery where you have held full end-to-end responsibility for the Finance function and can evidence positively where you have influenced company performance as a result.To be successful in the role you will need to show strong leadership and collaboration across the business, being able to demonstrate core personal attributes such as:Commercially astute and hands-onClear communicator with the ability to influence with integrity at senior levelPragmatic, resilient, and comfortable operating in an agile and dynamic organisationStrong attention to detail without losing strategic perspectiveHumble and low ego with high emotional intelligence; possessing the intellectual and interpersonal dexterity to advise and work alongside a driven executive management teamJob OfferOn offer is competitive six figure salary plus attractive benefits package with hybrid working opportunity (3 days on-site in Hessle, Hull and Corby as a minimum) - as well as getting to work for a company with an exceptional values driven culture.

Location: Chertsey, Weybridge, Egham, Virginia Water, Byfleet, New Haw, Woking, Guildford, Addlestone, Staines, Cobham, Richmond, Esher, Reigate, Leatherhead, Ashted, Dorking Salary: Up to £115,000 +Equity, Hybrid Working + Private Healthcare + PensionInterviews: ImmediateEvolve Recruitment is partnering with a high-growth company based in Chertsey, Surrey. The business has grown rapidly to a £15m turnover, employs approximately 60 people, and continues to expand internationally — currently supplying products to 30 countries worldwide. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-scaling, innovative organisation in a hands-on Finance Director role with real scope to influence growth and build robust.As Finance Director, you will take ownership of financial control across all group entities, managing a small finance team and working closely with the senior leadership team.Key ResponsibilitiesManage month-end and year-end close processes using Xero and other finance systemsPrepare and deliver monthly management accountsManage cashflow forecasting and oversee fund transfers as requiredOversee weekly and ad-hoc payment runsManage and support the professional development of the Accounts Assistant (and additional hires as the team grows)Maintain strong financial controls, policies, and processesComplete quarterly VAT returns (MTD via Xero)Calculate and post intercompany recharges (monthly, quarterly, and annually)Lead the year-end audit process, liaising with auditors and financial statement preparersManage the group audit and consolidation of group financial statementsSupport tax advisors with corporation tax returnsAssist with R&D tax credit applicationsSupport finance system reviews, implementations, and integrationsOversee annual statutory submissions to Companies HousePartner with the leadership team/CFO on reporting, analysis, and insights for the senior leadership teamSkills & ExperienceFully qualified ACA or ACCA qualified Accountant with a minimum of 5-7 years’ PQEBackground in Top 6 audit (preferred)Strong hands-on experience in financial and management accounting, ideally within a multi-entity groupFinance controlling experience, ready for the next step Experience in a manufacturing, stock holding or scaling business is preferredProven experience in controls and processes, billing in multicurrency, cash management and forecastingTrack record of managing and developing junior finance staffAdvanced user of accounting systems such as Xero, Sage, or similarPersonal AttributesPro-active, self-starter mentalityEnergetic, strong business acuman Ready to roll sleeves, flexible and adapatableComfortable in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environmentCommercially minded with the ability to think creatively and pragmaticallyPassion for continuous improvement across reporting, controls, and risk managementYou must be eligible to work in the UK full-time without restriction. If you feel you have the relevant skills and experience, please apply to Evolve Recruitment, Kingston upon Thames for further information. Due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to all candidates. If you have not heard from us within five working days, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Role: Finance Director Industry: Managed Services & Print Location: Central London (on-site role)Salary: £90,000 - £130,000 + BenefitsAn established, award-winning Managed Services and Print business in London is seeking a commercially astute Finance Director to lead its finance function and act as the strategic right hand to the CEO. Privately owned and built on a strong reputation for service excellence, the company is entering an ambitious new phase of growth underpinned by a clear buy-and-build acquisition strategy.This is a defining hire. The successful candidate will own the financial direction of the business today while building the platform, funding, and acquisition capability to scale it significantly over the coming years - with the genuine opportunity to grow into a Group CFO role as the strategy delivers.The OpportunityThis is the number-one finance role in the business, with full ownership of the company's financial strategy and operations. You will lead an established finance team of five (two Finance Managers, a Financial Controller, and two Accounts Assistants) while operating as the trusted commercial advisor the CEO relies on for key decisions.Beyond running a high-performing finance department, you will be central to the company's acquisition ambitions - identifying and evaluating targets, securing the funding to pursue them, and ensuring the business is financially and commercially well positioned as it grows by acquisition. It is a rare chance to combine hands-on FD ownership with genuine strategic, deal-led impact in an entrepreneurial, owner-managed environment.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic & Commercial Leadership* Act as the CEO's go-to advisor on all financial and commercial matters, supporting key decision-making across the business.* Set and lead the financial strategy in line with the company's growth and buy-and-build ambitions.* Provide clear, commercially focused insight to drive performance, margin improvement, and profitable growth.Mergers & Acquisitions* Lead the financial elements of the buy-and-build strategy - target identification, financial due diligence, valuation, deal structuring, and post-acquisition integration.* Ensure the business is well presented and "investment-ready" financially and commercially, both to support acquisition activity and to position the group attractively to partners and funders.* Build robust financial models, business cases, and integration plans to support inorganic growth.Funding & Banking* Own and develop relationships with banks and debt finance providers.* Structure and secure debt and acquisition finance to fund the buy-and-build programme.* Manage cash flow, treasury, and the company's overall funding position.Finance Operations & Leadership* Take full ownership of the finance department, leading and developing a team of five.* Oversee all financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and statutory compliance.* Strengthen financial controls, systems, and processes to support a scaling business.* Be the definitive point of authority on all finance matters across the organisation.About You* A qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with proven experience at FD or senior finance leadership level.* Sector experience within Managed Services / MSP is strongly preferred and considered a key differentiator.* Demonstrable M&A experience, ideally within a buy-and-build or acquisitive environment.* A track record of preparing businesses for investment, sale, or acquisition - making them financially and commercially attractive.* Well established in the debt finance space, with strong existing relationships across banks and lenders.* Comfortable operating hands-on in an entrepreneurial, privately owned SME - able to bring big-business discipline at a scale-up pace.* A credible, trusted advisor capable of leading a full finance function and partnering directly with a CEO.The PackageSalary - upto to £130,000, dependent on experienceLocation - LondonSector - Managed Services & PrintReports to CEOProgression - Genuine scope to grow into a Group CFO role through the buy-and-build strategyThis is a confidential search. To register your interest or for a discreet, exploratory conversation, please get in touch in the strictest confidence.