Location - UK based (Hybrid) Monthly meetings in Manchester and occasional overseas travel
Full-time Permanent
Salary - 80k90k plus benefits (depending on experience)
Cognition Learning Group is a leading provider of education training consultancy and digital learning solutions. With offices around the globe we proudly deliver knowledge to communities in more than 30 countries worldwide. We offer a wide range of services designed to improve learning outcomes create opportunities and change lives for the better.
The opportunity
We are looking for an exceptional Group Director Finance to join our senior leadership team reporting directly to the CFO. This is a high-impact opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives in dynamic fast-paced environments and enjoys influencing strategic decision-making at the highest level.
As a trusted deputy to the CFO you will lead Group financial performance control and compliance across a multi-jurisdictional environment while providing commercial insight to support growth drive profitability and strengthen decision-making across major contracts tenders and strategic initiatives.
A core part of the role is driving financial planning cashflow management and finance transformation strengthening systems processes and team capability to support scalable international growth.
Leadership scope
You will lead a globally distributed finance team and work closely with senior leaders across the Group and corporate functions.
Key responsibilities
Deputise for the CFO providing strong financial leadership and continuity including supporting Board and senior leadership discussions with clear financial insight
Lead Group financial control delivering accurate timely and fully compliant reporting across all entities and jurisdictions with strong balance sheet integrity and consistent application of controls and standards
Oversee statutory tax and compliance obligations across jurisdictions proactively managing exposure and risk and maintaining high standards of governance
Provide commercial business partnering strengthening pricing discipline and improving profitability across major bids tenders and contracts through insight and constructive challenge
Lead financial planning and performance delivering aligned budgets and forecasts with forward-looking visibility through scenario modelling and forecasting
Own cashflow and treasury management improving cash conversion managing working capital and multi-currency operations and mitigating key financial risks including FX exposure
Ensure robust contract accounting and consistent revenue recognition across consultancy and government contracts strengthening transparency and financial control across complex portfolios
Drive finance systems and process improvement improving the quality timeliness and accessibility of financial reporting and reducing manual inefficiencies
Build and lead a high-performing internationally dispersed finance team embedding accountability commercial focus and continuous improvement across the function
Requirements
Fully qualified accountant (ACA ACCA CIMA CAANZ or equivalent)
Degree in finance accounting business or equivalent experience
Proven Group-level finance leadership within a multi-entity international organisation
Strong knowledge of international financial reporting control and compliance (IFRS) across jurisdictions
Demonstrable experience leading audit statutory and regulatory compliance internationally
Expertise in planning forecasting cashflow and treasury in multi-currency environments
Experience leading high-performing geographically dispersed teams
Track record delivering finance transformation and scalable systems/processes
Benefits
25 days annual leave - plus bank holidays
An annual day off for birthday leave a wellbeing day and a day off for volunteering
Life Assurance
Employee Assistance Program
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through our application portal. We will not accept CVs emailed through any job boards.
Please submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining clearly how your experience skills and knowledge meet the requirements set out in the person specification. For a detailed job description please click the link Group Director
Applications close Monday 8th June 2026 at 9am.
Interviews expected week commencing 15th June 2026
If you are looking for an opportunity to shape strategy influence growth and play a key leadership role within an ambitious international organisation we would love to hear from you.
Please note: applications may close earlier if a high volume of suitable applications is received
Required Skills:
About You You are a strategic and commercially astute finance leader with strong technical capability and a collaborative leadership style. Essential Experience & Qualifications Fully qualified accountant (ACA ACCA CIMA CAANZ or equivalent) Degree in finance accounting business or equivalent experience Senior finance leadership experience within international or multi-entity organisations Strong expertise in financial control reporting forecasting and compliance Commercial finance experience including modelling pricing and business partnering Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams Skills Strong analytical capability with exceptional attention to detail Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Ability to influence and challenge at executive and Board level Commercially minded with sound judgement and decision-making ability Comfortable operating in fast-paced evolving environments Collaborative pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
This is a remote position. Group Director Finance Location - UK based (Hybrid) Monthly meetings in Manchester and occasional overseas travel Full-time Permanent Salary - 80k90k plus benefits (depending on experience) Cognition Learning Group is a leading provider of education trainin...
This is a remote position.
Group Director Finance
Location - UK based (Hybrid) Monthly meetings in Manchester and occasional overseas travel
Full-time Permanent
Salary - 80k90k plus benefits (depending on experience)
Cognition Learning Group is a leading provider of education training consultancy and digital learning solutions. With offices around the globe we proudly deliver knowledge to communities in more than 30 countries worldwide. We offer a wide range of services designed to improve learning outcomes create opportunities and change lives for the better.
The opportunity
We are looking for an exceptional Group Director Finance to join our senior leadership team reporting directly to the CFO. This is a high-impact opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader who thrives in dynamic fast-paced environments and enjoys influencing strategic decision-making at the highest level.
As a trusted deputy to the CFO you will lead Group financial performance control and compliance across a multi-jurisdictional environment while providing commercial insight to support growth drive profitability and strengthen decision-making across major contracts tenders and strategic initiatives.
A core part of the role is driving financial planning cashflow management and finance transformation strengthening systems processes and team capability to support scalable international growth.
Leadership scope
You will lead a globally distributed finance team and work closely with senior leaders across the Group and corporate functions.
Key responsibilities
Deputise for the CFO providing strong financial leadership and continuity including supporting Board and senior leadership discussions with clear financial insight
Lead Group financial control delivering accurate timely and fully compliant reporting across all entities and jurisdictions with strong balance sheet integrity and consistent application of controls and standards
Oversee statutory tax and compliance obligations across jurisdictions proactively managing exposure and risk and maintaining high standards of governance
Provide commercial business partnering strengthening pricing discipline and improving profitability across major bids tenders and contracts through insight and constructive challenge
Lead financial planning and performance delivering aligned budgets and forecasts with forward-looking visibility through scenario modelling and forecasting
Own cashflow and treasury management improving cash conversion managing working capital and multi-currency operations and mitigating key financial risks including FX exposure
Ensure robust contract accounting and consistent revenue recognition across consultancy and government contracts strengthening transparency and financial control across complex portfolios
Drive finance systems and process improvement improving the quality timeliness and accessibility of financial reporting and reducing manual inefficiencies
Build and lead a high-performing internationally dispersed finance team embedding accountability commercial focus and continuous improvement across the function
Requirements
Fully qualified accountant (ACA ACCA CIMA CAANZ or equivalent)
Degree in finance accounting business or equivalent experience
Proven Group-level finance leadership within a multi-entity international organisation
Strong knowledge of international financial reporting control and compliance (IFRS) across jurisdictions
Demonstrable experience leading audit statutory and regulatory compliance internationally
Expertise in planning forecasting cashflow and treasury in multi-currency environments
Experience leading high-performing geographically dispersed teams
Track record delivering finance transformation and scalable systems/processes
Benefits
25 days annual leave - plus bank holidays
An annual day off for birthday leave a wellbeing day and a day off for volunteering
Life Assurance
Employee Assistance Program
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through our application portal. We will not accept CVs emailed through any job boards.
Please submit your CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining clearly how your experience skills and knowledge meet the requirements set out in the person specification. For a detailed job description please click the link Group Director
Applications close Monday 8th June 2026 at 9am.
Interviews expected week commencing 15th June 2026
If you are looking for an opportunity to shape strategy influence growth and play a key leadership role within an ambitious international organisation we would love to hear from you.
Please note: applications may close earlier if a high volume of suitable applications is received
Required Skills:
About You You are a strategic and commercially astute finance leader with strong technical capability and a collaborative leadership style. Essential Experience & Qualifications Fully qualified accountant (ACA ACCA CIMA CAANZ or equivalent) Degree in finance accounting business or equivalent experience Senior finance leadership experience within international or multi-entity organisations Strong expertise in financial control reporting forecasting and compliance Commercial finance experience including modelling pricing and business partnering Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams Skills Strong analytical capability with exceptional attention to detail Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Ability to influence and challenge at executive and Board level Commercially minded with sound judgement and decision-making ability Comfortable operating in fast-paced evolving environments Collaborative pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
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