Leads commercial finance strategy, budgeting, forecasting, business reviews, performance reporting, financial controls, compliance, revenue recognition, cash management, and process improvement. Partners with senior leaders to improve profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. Develops the finance team through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning while optimizing ERP systems, including Dynamics 365. Requires substantial commercial finance leadership experience, professional services expertise, and a recognized accounting qualification.
Title: Head of Commercial Finance
Division: Finance
Location: Birmingham / London (hybrid working)
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
Why RLB?
At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.
We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.
Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.
We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.
You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.
What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee‑owned business, teamwork and collaboration lie at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, along with family‑friendly policies, are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.
Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.
Department Overview
A strategic business support function providing trusted financial and commercial leadership to underpin the delivery of RLB’s strategic plan.
The team promotes strong governance and robust financial control, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and the effective management of financial risk.
Operating as a diverse, digitally driven finance function, we partner with the business to challenge thinking, inform decision‑making, and support in driving operational performance and sustainable growth.
The team promotes strong governance and robust financial control, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and the effective management of financial risk.
Operating as a diverse, digitally driven finance function, we partner with the business to challenge thinking, inform decision‑making, and support in driving operational performance and sustainable growth.
Role Overview
Reporting to the CFO, this is a senior commercial finance leadership role at the heart of the business's growth strategy. The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership to embed disciplined commercial practices, improve systems and processes, and will be central to building out a forward-looking finance function as the business scales internationally.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Finance & Strategy: Support the development and execution of the company’s strategy by providing financial insight, analysis and constructive challenge to business decisions, assumptions and investment opportunities. Partner with client-facing and technical teams to improve commercial performance, operational efficiency and project profitability, driving sustainable growth and margin improvement.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process and quarterly forecasting cycles. Work closely with the CFO to establish financial targets, provide clear guidance to the business, and support Regional and Business Services leaders in delivering robust and achievable financial plans.
- Performance Reporting & Business Review: Lead the monthly business review process with Regional Directors, providing both challenge and support to drive accountability and performance. Deliver insightful financial reporting, KPI analysis and revenue modelling, highlighting key risks, opportunities and actions to improve profitability, cash flow and business performance.
- Financial Control & Compliance: Ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards and internal policies. Drive best practice in revenue recognition, with a strong understanding of long-term contract accounting, whilst supporting improvements in working capital and cash management. Communicate financial information clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels across the business.
- People Development and Process Improvement: Develop the capability of the finance team through coaching, mentoring and succession planning. Champion continuous improvement across finance processes, systems and controls, including the ongoing optimisation of Dynamics 365, to enhance efficiency, reporting quality and decision-making.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will be a respected finance leader with experience in a senior commercial or business‑partnering role, demonstrating strong strategic insight, technical expertise, and commercial acumen.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will be a respected finance leader with experience in a senior commercial or business‑partnering role, demonstrating strong strategic insight, technical expertise, and commercial acumen.
Qualifications
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
Experience
- 15+ years' experience in commercial finance, business partnering and financial leadership roles.
- Professional services or consultancy experience is essential, with experience in the built environment sector highly desirable.
- Demonstrable experience leading high-performing finance teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong commercial acumen with excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities.
- Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders in a matrix environment; driving informed and effective decision-making.
- Advanced Excel and ERP systems expertise, with experience of Dynamics 365 desirable.
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear business insights.
- Resilient and adaptable, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
- Strong leadership capabilities with a focus on coaching, mentoring and developing talent.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism and attention to detail.
RLB Employee Benefits
Our culture is built around enabling you to fulfil your potential, so you can look forward to benefits that include:
Hybrid Working - Working patterns to support your work-life balance. As well as competitive maternity and paternity packages.
Well-Rewarded - A competitive salary and generous holiday entitlement. As well as the opportunity to purchase up to five extra days.
Focus On Wellbeing - We offer a number of health and wellness options, including gym membership and cycle to work schemes.
Healthcare Packages - Private healthcare insurance and medical support, including dental insurance and eyecare vouchers.
Personal Development - A continuous learning and development programme, including established APC and in-house mentoring schemes.
Additional Benefits - We offer a wide range of benefits including a season ticket loan and professional membership subscriptions.
Exceptional Exposure - You’ll have the opportunity to work on diverse projects across different sectors and regions.
Social Responsibility - We hold team and social events as well as charity fundraising and volunteering activities.
Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment
We believe in building a diverse and inclusive environment where each person can be themselves, feel valued for their contribution and be challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We have a responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work, and that our workforce should reflect these communities and our clients. Our talent strategy should enable us to overcome bias in the construction industry by recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce. Find out more here: Diversity & Inclusion - RLB | Europe
If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our recruitment team at: [email protected]
About
With a network that covers the globe and a heritage spanning over two centuries, Rider Levett Bucknall is a leading independent organisation in cost management and quantity surveying, project management and advisory services.Our achievements are renowned: from the early days of pioneering quantity surveying, to landmark projects such as the Sydney Opera House, HSBC Headquarters Building in Hong Kong, the 2012 London Olympic Games and CityCenter in Las Vegas.We continue this successful legacy with our dedication to the value, quality and sustainability of the built environment. Our innovative thinking, global reach, and flawless execution push the boundaries. Taking ambitious projects from an idea to reality.
Rider Levett Bucknall RLB London, England Office
London, United Kingdom
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