Divisional Finance Manager

Croydon Source: WhatJobs

£90,000–£130,000

Location/s: Croydon or London, UK

Closing Date - Friday 16th October 2026

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee‑owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues - such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation - to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

Overview of the role

As a key member of the Divisional Management Team, the Divisional Finance Manager will serve as the strategic finance partner to the Divisional General Manager, providing leadership, insight and challenge to drive the sustainable growth and performance of the Heavy Civils & Infrastructure (HCI) Division.

This senior leadership role is accountable for shaping and delivering the Division's commercial and financial strategy, ensuring informed decision-making, robust governance and strong financial performance across a business of approximately 600 professionals operating across multiple locations within the Transport Business Unit.

The role extends beyond traditional financial management, acting as a trusted adviser to the leadership team and influencing strategic direction through data-driven insight, commercial acumen and proactive business partnering. The Divisional Finance Manager will champion a high-performance culture, driving profitability, operational excellence, business transformation and continuous improvement across the Division.

As an ambassador for Mott MacDonald, the successful candidate will embody the company's Code and PRIDE values, building strong and collaborative relationships across the business and representing the Division with credibility and influence.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

Strategic Leadership and Business Partnering

Act as a trusted strategic adviser to the Divisional General Manager and Divisional Leadership Team, influencing key business decisions and growth strategies
Lead the financial planning process and provide commercial insight to support the development and execution of Business Plans and Budget
Shape and monitor strategic objectives and key performance indicators to drive accountability, performance improvement and sustainable growth
Provide robust financial challenge and independent perspective to support decision‑making, investment priorities and risk management
Play a key leadership role in identifying opportunities to improve profitability, utilisation, operational efficiency and long‑term business value
Represent Finance at Executive and Management Board meetings, contributing to the strategic direction of the Division

Commercial Performance and Project Leadership

Provide commercial oversight and challenge across the project portfolios, ensuring effective management of financial risk, contractual obligations and project performance
Partner with project leadership teams to maximise project profitability, strengthen revenue performance and improve commercial outcomes
Review bids, proposals and contractual arrangements, ensuring commercial risks and opportunities are appropriately evaluated and managed
Lead working capital performance across the Division, improving cash generation through effective invoicing, collections and cashflow management
Provide financial leadership for major and high‑risk projects, ensuring robust project controls and proactive intervention where required
Foster a culture of commercial accountability and continuous improvement across project and finance teams

Financial Performance, Planning and Governance

Lead the interpretation and communication of financial performance, translating management information into actionable business insight for leaders
Drive delivery of annual budgets, forecasts and medium‑term business plans aligned with strategic objectives
Champion performance improvement initiatives focused on margin enhancement, utilisation, overhead optimisation and working capital efficiency
Ensure strong financial governance and compliance with Group policies, statutory obligations and regulatory requirements
Maintain a robust financial control environment and oversee internal and external audit requirements
Work collaboratively with Group Finance, Treasury, Tax and Shared Services to deliver consistent, high‑quality financial support to the business

People Leadership and Capability Building

Lead and develop a high‑performing finance function that is recognised as a valued business partner across the Division
Build financial and commercial capability within project teams and business leaders through coaching, training and knowledge sharing
Sponsor finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, insight and business performance
Foster an inclusive, collaborative and high‑performance culture aligned to Mott MacDonald's values and behaviours

Candidate specification

The successful candidate will be a commercially minded finance leader with a proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving business performance in a complex, project‑based environment.

Essential:

Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
Significant experience operating as a strategic finance business partner at a senior leadership level
Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate financial information into strategic business decisions
Proven experience leading budgeting, forecasting, business planning and performance management activities
Demonstrable ability to influence, engage and challenge senior stakeholders constructively
Excellent analytical, communication and relationship management skills
Experience within professional services, infrastructure, engineering or construction environments is desirable
Willingness to travel across the UK as required

Leadership attributes:

Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgement
Influential and collaborative business partner
Visible and credible leader capable of operating at executive level
Results‑focused with a commitment to continuous improvement and business transformation
Passionate about developing people, building capability and driving organisational success

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people‑first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can help.