Finance Director (Board Level) – Tewkesbury

Strategic finance leadership • Lead Finance, Payroll & IT • Trusted Board advisor

The Cotteswold Group (Cotteswold Dairy Ltd and Workman Properties Ltd) is a long-established, independent, family-owned business, founded in 1938. Based at our Tewkesbury headquarters with depots across Cheltenham, Hereford, Shropshire, North Wales and Hemel, we are proud to be at the heart of a responsible and sustainable dairy community.

The Role

As Finance Director, you’ll be a key member of the Board, providing strategic financial leadership, commercial insight and robust governance across the Group. You will lead the Finance and IT functions and oversee payroll, ensuring strong controls, resilient systems and clear reporting that support sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Commercial Leadership: Act as a strategic advisor to the Managing Director and Board; lead long-term financial planning; drive profitability, margin growth and cost discipline; lead financial modelling for strategic initiatives.
• Financial Control & Governance: Overall control of financial transactions and internal controls; ensure statutory and regulatory compliance; lead external audit and statutory reporting; maintain the risk register and governance framework.
• Budgeting & Reporting: Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasts; deliver monthly management accounts and KPI reporting; maintain long-term cash flow forecasting.
• Corporate Finance & Risk: Manage banking relationships and funding structures; oversee capital requirements and treasury; lead insurance negotiations and risk management.
• Payroll Oversight: Oversee payroll accuracy, compliance and controls; ensure payroll systems integrate effectively with finance systems.
• Information Technology Leadership: Develop and own IT strategy aligned to growth; oversee ERP/finance systems and business intelligence; ensure cybersecurity and data protection compliance.
• Leadership & Culture: Lead, develop and mentor high-performing Finance and IT teams; promote accountability and continuous improvement; support Team Cotteswold values and culture.

Your Team

You will lead a well-established function including Finance, Credit Control, Payroll and IT (e.g., Financial Controller, Credit Control Manager, Accountants, Payroll team, and IT Manager/Technicians).

About You

• Qualified: Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent); degree educated or equivalent experience.
• Experience: Significant senior finance leadership experience; background in high-volume, transaction-based manufacturing; experience leading systems and financial transformation.
• Style: Commercially astute, strategically minded, and a strong communicator at both Board and operational levels; high integrity and professional credibility.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Group Personal Pension Scheme via Salary Exchange
• Private Medical Insurance
• Death in service benefit
• Enhanced Health & Wellbeing benefit with Simply Health
• 22 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Cycle to Work scheme, employee discounts

How to Apply

Apply via our website with your CV. If you’re a strategic, hands-on finance leader who can bring clarity, control and commercial momentum, we’d love to hear from you.